Symptoms

Symptoms

The pain of osteoarthritis typically begins gradually and progresses slowly over many years. People under age 40 may have the condition with no symptoms at all. Osteoarthritis is commonly identified by the following symptoms:

• The most common symptom of osteoarthritis in any joint is pain that worsens during activity and gets better during rest. As the disease advances, the pain may occur even when the joint is at rest.
• Pain is generally described as aching, stiffness, and loss of mobility.
• The pain may behave like a roller coaster, with bad spells followed by periods of relative relief.
• Pain seems to increase in humid weather.
• Some people experience muscle spasm and contractions in the tendons.
• Osteoarthritis in the knee may cause a crackling-like noise (called crepitus) when moved.

Symptoms by Location

Hand. Osteoarthritis of the hand occurs most often in older women and may be inherited within families. The following joints are most frequently affected:

• Distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. The first joint below the fingertips is the most common location of osteoarthritis of the hand. These joints can develop bony growths known as Heberden's nodes.
• Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. The joint at the base of the thumb, where the thumb joint connects with the wrist, is the second most common location.
• Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. The middle joints of the fingers can also develop osteoarthritis. These joints may develop small, solid lumps (nodules) known as Bouchard's nodes.

Click the icon to see an image of osteoarthritis.

Recent studies suggest that osteoarthritis of the hand may predict the later development of osteoarthritis in the hip or knee. A 2005 study found that patients with hand osteoarthritis were three times more likely to develop hip arthritis. Osteoarthritis of the hand also slightly increased the risk for knee osteoarthritis.

Knee. Osteoarthritis is particularly debilitating in the weight-bearing joints of the knees. The joint is usually stable until the disease reaches an advanced stage when the knee becomes enlarged and swollen. Although painful, the arthritic knee usually retains reasonable flexibility.