Warning Signs of Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is caused by the wear and tear on your joints.  As you get older, the cartilage that is the cushion on your joints starts to deteriorate.  This ultimately causes the bones to rub together.  The bones rubbing against each other causes inflammation of the joints.

Normally, osteoarthritis progresses slowly.  There are 6 warning signs that you should watch for that indicate the beginning of osteoarthritis.  Let your doctor know if you are experiencing the warning signs below:

1 – Pain

The pain felt during early arthritis is usually sharp pains.  You may feel pain when moving affected joints.

2 – Tenderness

You will usually feel tenderness when you press down on the affected joint.  Tenderness is usually accompanied by swelling around the affected joint.  Tenderness is often a symptom of advanced osteoarthritis.

3 – Joint Stiffness

Joints become stiff.  This symptom normally happens when you wake up in the morning or if you have been sitting all day.  This is a sign of early osteoarthritis.  Most people want to get back into bed because of the stiffness; however, it is more beneficial to get out and get moving to loosen up your joints.

4 – Abnormal Sensations

Abnormal sensations happen when the cartilage wears down and the bones start rubbing against each other. The cartilage that is missing is meant to help your joints move smoothly.  When this cartilage is gone you will hear your joints making clicking and cracking sounds.

5 – Timing of your discomfort

In the beginning of osteoarthritis, the discomfort you feel is usually during specific times of day or during certain activities.  For example,  you may feel discomfort after waking up in the morning or after going for a run.

6- Loss of Flexibility

When you are in the early stages of arthritis, moving the areas affected is not easy.  The joint stiffness and pain contributes to loss of flexibility.  The loss of flexibility does not happen overnight. It is gradual.