Common Symptoms
Early arthritis can be recognized as stiffness in the hands and feet when walking or moving. The pain can be dull, and it may be hard to pinpoint to a specific area. It can lead to redness, inflammation, and swelling of joints. Muscle weakness can lead to difficulty with balance and movement.
What it Feels Like
- Stiffness in the legs, feet, hands, knees, or elbows
- Difficulty using feet and balancing
- Thick feeling in fingers
- Lack of grip strength
- Difficulty sitting for long periods
- Inability to squat or kneel
- Pain moving or lifting the arms and legs
- Pain using hands in a precise manner
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic (long-lasting) joint condition.
OA occurs most often in older people, although it can occur in adults of any age. OA is also called degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis, and wear-and-tear arthritis.
