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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration showing osteoarthritis of the spine Osteoarthritis of the spine
Illustration showing osteoarthritis of the hip Osteoarthritis of the hip

Controlling Your Arthritis

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Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

  • Pain. Your joint may hurt during or after movement.
  • Tenderness. Your joint may feel tender when you apply light pressure to it.
  • Stiffness. Joint stiffness may be most noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
  • Loss of flexibility. You may not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion.
  • Grating sensation. You may hear or feel a grating sensation when you use the joint.
  • Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, may form around the affected joint.

When to see a doctor
If you have swelling or stiffness in your joints that lasts for more than a few weeks, make an appointment with your doctor.

Causes Definition
References
  1. Handout on health: Osteoarthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteoarthritis/default.asp. Accessed Aug. 15, 2011.
  2. Osteoarthritis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00227. Accessed July 22, 2011.
  3. Lane NE, et al. Osteoarthritis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Aug. 15, 2011.
  4. Kalunian KC. Risk factors and possible causes of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 16, 2011.
  5. Kalunian KC. Diagnosis and classification of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 16, 2011.
  6. Lozada CJ. Management of osteoarthritis. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1807/0.html. Accessed Aug. 16, 2011.
  7. Osteoarthritis. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http//www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 16, 2011.
  8. Lorig K, et al. Hints, tips, gadgets and resources. In: Lorig K, et. al. The Arthritis Helpbook: A Tested Self-Management Program for Coping With Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. 6th ed. Cambridge, Mass.: Da Capo Press; 2006:55.
  9. Berman BM, et al. Effectiveness of acupuncture as adjunctive therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized, controlled trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2004;12:901.
  10. 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 the Rheumatic Diseases. 2010;8:1459.
  11. Wang C, et al. Tai chi is effective in treating knee osteoarthritis: A randomized, controlled trial. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2009;11:1545.
  12. Haaz S, et al. Yoga for arthritis: A scoping review. Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America. 2011;37:33.
  13. Rohren CH (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 24, 2011.
DS00019 Oct. 13, 2011

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