How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis

Here's How:

1. You might suspect you have arthritis if you have signs and symptoms which include the following:
2. Persistent joint pain.
   • Where Does It Hurt?
3. Pain or tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by movement or activity, such as walking, getting up from a chair, writing, typing, holding an object, throwing a ball, turning a key, or any other activity of daily living.
4. Inflammation indicated by joint swelling, stiffness, redness, and/or warmth.
   • Inflammation: The Battle Within
5. Joint deformity.
   • Arthritis Hand Gallery
6. Loss of range of motion or flexibility in a joint.
   • What Is Range Of Motion?
7. Unexplained weight loss.
8. Extreme fatigue, lack of energy, weakness, or a feeling of malaise.
   • I'm Tired Of Being Tired
9. Non-specific fever.
10. Crepitus.
    • What Is Crepitus?
11. Your doctor can make a definitive diagnosis of arthritis by assessing your medical history, performing a physical examination, ordering specific laboratory tests, and x-rays.
    • What Is An Arthritide?
12. Take Our Quizzes:
    • Arthritis Screening Quiz
    • Osteoarthritis Screening Quiz
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis Screening Quiz
    • Gout Screening Quiz
    • Lupus Screening Quiz
    • Fibromylagia Screening Quiz
    • Sjogren's Syndrome Screening Quiz
    • Back Pain Quiz
    • Carpal Tunnel Screening Quiz
    • Pain Quiz - Acute Vs. Chronic Pain
    • Pain Relief Quiz
    • Raynaud's Phenomenon Screening Quiz
    • Osteoporosis Screening Quiz
    • Juvenile Arthritis Screening Quiz
    • Other Screening Quizzes and Quizzes to Test Your Knowledge
13. A to Z: Joint Pain:
    • Ankle Pain - Ankle Arthritis
    • Back Pain - Back Arthritis
    • Elbow Pain - Elbow Arthritis
    • Finger Pain - Finger Arthritis
    • Foot Pain - Foot Arthritis
    • Hand Pain - Hand Arthritis
    • Hip Pain - Hip Arthritis
    • Jaw Pain - Jaw Arthritis
    • Knee Pain - Knee Arthritis
    • Neck Pain - Neck Arthritis
    • Rib Cage Pain - Arthritis
    • Shoulder Pain - Shoulder Arthritis
    • Spine Pain - Spine Arthritis
    • Thumb Pain - Thumb Arthritis
    • Toe Pain - Toe Arthritis
    • Wrist Pain - Wrist Arthritis
14. Here are quick links to the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common types of arthritis:
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Gout
    • Lupus
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Ankylosing Spondylitis
    • Scleroderma
    • Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • DISH
    • Osteoporosis
    • Sjogren's Syndrome
    • Reactive Arthritis - Reiter's Syndrome
    • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
    • Pseudogout
    • Lyme Disease
    • Vasculitis
15. Other Sources of Pain:
    • Bone Pain - Bone Tenderness
    • Bursitis
    • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    • Costochondritis
    • Muscle Pain - Arthritis
    • Temporomandibular Joints Disorder (TMJ)
    • Tendinitis
      

Tips:

1. Seek medical advice if your symptoms persist. If you suspect arthritis, make an appointment with a rheumatologist.
   • Your First Visit To The Rheumatologist
2. Self-treatment can delay an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. Receiving an accurate diagnosis is essential.
   • Know Your Type of Arthritis
3. Remember these Fast Facts About Arthritis.