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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

The most common signs and symptoms of arthritis involve the joints. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your signs and symptoms may include:

  • Pain
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Decreased range of motion
References
  1. Arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/arthritis_rheumatic_aqa.asp. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  2. Arthritis advice. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/arthritis.htm. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  3. Arend WP, et al. Approach to the patient with rheumatic disease. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50282-2&isbn=978-1-4160-2805-5&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50282-2&uniqId=227265748-3. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  4. Arthritis: Frequently asked questions - General public. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/faqs.htm. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  5. Davis JM, et al. History and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Co.; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10035-X&isbn=978-1-4160-3285-4&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10035-X&uniqId=227265748-3#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10035-X. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  6. Schur PH, et al. General principles of management of rheumatoid arthritis. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  7. Weissman BN, et al. Diagnostic imaging of joint pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  8. Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 27, 2010.
  9. Kalunian KC. Pharmacologic therapy of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  10. Kalunian KC. Nonpharmacologic therapy of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  11. Chronic pain and CAM: At a glance. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/pain/chronic.htm. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
  12. Sawitzke AD, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 2010;69:1459.
DS01122 Jan. 22, 2011

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