What Osteoarthritis Is
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease where the cartilage that cushions your joints gradually wears down. It most often affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine, causing pain and reduced mobility over time.
Common Symptoms
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Joint Pain
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Usually worsens with activity and improves with rest.
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Often described as a dull, aching pain, sometimes sharp with sudden movement.
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Stiffness
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Especially noticeable in the morning or after long periods of inactivity.
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Usually lasts less than 30 minutes (unlike rheumatoid arthritis, which lasts longer).
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Swelling
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Mild swelling can occur due to inflammation in the joint.
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Joints may feel warm or tender to touch.
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Reduced Range of Motion
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Difficulty bending or straightening the joint fully.
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Everyday tasks like climbing stairs or opening jars become harder.
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Grinding or Popping Sensations (Crepitus)
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A crunching, clicking, or popping sound during movement.
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Caused by the rough surfaces of cartilage rubbing together.
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Bone Spurs (Osteophytes)
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Hard lumps may form around affected joints.
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Can cause additional pain and limit movement.
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Weakness or Instability
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Muscles around the joint may weaken from disuse.
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Joint may feel like it could “give out” during activity.
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Tenderness
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Joint may feel sore when applying pressure.
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When to See a Doctor
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Persistent joint pain or stiffness affecting daily life.
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Swelling, warmth, or redness around the joint.
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Sudden worsening of symptoms or difficulty moving the joint.
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Signs of joint deformity or weakness.
Key Takeaways
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Osteoarthritis develops gradually, and early detection helps manage pain, maintain mobility, and slow progression.
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Lifestyle measures—like weight management, low-impact exercise, and physical therapy—can make a big difference in symptoms.
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Medications and sometimes surgery may be needed in severe cases.
If you want, I can create a simple “symptom checklist” infographic for osteoarthritis that makes it easy to spot early signs at home. It’s very user-friendly. Do you want me to do that?
