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How Do You Know If It’s Arthritis or Just Everyday Joint Pain?
Do you know those little aches that come and go, like sore knees after a workout or stiff fingers after typing all day? Most of the time, these little complaints are just part of life. They show up, and then they fade away.
But what if the pain doesn't fade? When pain lingers, stiffness persists, or joints start to swell for no clear reason, it may indicate something more serious.
Consistent pain and stiffness in the joints are signs of arthritis. Arthritis is not something to take lightly, and it can have a huge impact on your daily life, affecting an estimated 58.5 million Americans. With arthritis, getting out and about and doing your daily life tasks becomes a lot more difficult, so it’s important to find the proper course of treatment.
How do you know if your joint pain is arthritis or just everyday soreness? This guide will walk you through the signs of arthritis, what causes it, how it’s diagnosed, and the treatment options available today. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of what to watch for and when to talk to a doctor.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis
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Where Does Arthritis Strike Most?
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What Are the Causes and Risk Factors
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How is Arthritis Diagnosed?
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What Are the Treatment Options for Arthritis
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The Final Words: Listen to Your Body
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis
If you’re asking yourself, “Why do my joints feel stiff every morning?” or “Why does my knee keep swelling up?” or “why you’re waking up with shoulder pain” you may be noticing early arthritis symptoms.
Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. Here, the tricky part is that the symptoms of arthritis often overlap with other conditions. That’s why keeping track of what you feel, when it happens, and how long it lasts can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.
Arthritis symptoms differ for everyone, but here are common signs of arthritis that could indicate:
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Persistent Pain: Arthritis pain can either be consistent or it can come and go. It might occur while you're moving or even when you're completely at rest. The pain can be localized to one joint or affect multiple areas simultaneously.
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Morning Stiffness: One of the most classic signs of arthritis is stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning or after sitting for an extended period. While many people feel stiff, if this sensation lasts longer than an hour, it's a strong indicator that you should consult a doctor.
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Visible Swelling and Warmth: Certain types of arthritis can cause swelling in the affected area. The affected area will be red, raised, and warm to the touch. If your swelling persists for longer than three days, see a doctor.
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Difficulty Moving Joints: Do you find standing up from a chair, opening a jar, or climbing stairs harder? Arthritis can cause a loss of cartilage and fluid in the joints, leading to a noticeable decrease in your range of motion and flexibility.
Where Does Arthritis Strike Most?
Arthritis can affect almost any joint, but it’s most common in the fingers, hands, and feet. If you’re wondering how to know if you have arthritis in your hand, you’ll likely experience pain in the fingers, wrists, and thumbs, as well as numbness and stiffness in the fingers.
Arthritis can also impact the knees and ankles. Not sure how to know if you have arthritis in your knee? Symptoms of knee arthritis typically include swelling or tenderness, cracking or popping sounds, loss of joint space, and deformities in the knee.
If you’re curious about how to know if you have arthritis in your ankle, there are a few key symptoms you should look out for. If you have arthritis in your ankle, you’ll likely experience tenderness when you touch the joint, pain when you move your ankle, and trouble walking and putting weight on your feet.
If you suffer from arthritis in any of these areas, consult your doctor as soon as possible so that you can find the proper course of treatment.
What Are the Causes and Risk Factors
Understanding what causes arthritis helps in managing it. There are over 100 types, but the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
1. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis involves the gradual wear and tear of a joint’s cartilage. Cartilage protects the ends of our bones and allows us to move our joints comfortably. But with enough damage to our cartilage, our bones can end up grinding on each other, resulting in pain and loss of motion. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips, and spine.
One of the most common shoulder pain causes is osteoarthritis.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, primarily the lining of the joints (the synovium). This causes painful inflammation that can eventually lead to joint erosion and deformity.
While the exact cause of arthritis is generally unknown, certain factors can make an individual more at risk. Some of these risk factors include:
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Age: The risk of developing any type of arthritis increases with age
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Gender: Women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while men are more likely to get gout, which is another type of arthritis that causes tenderness in joints.
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Infection: Certain infections, such as psoriasis and lupus, can lead to arthritis.
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Weight: People with obesity are more at risk of developing arthritis because of the excess stress put on their knees, hips, and spine.
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Injuries: If you’ve injured a joint in the past, due to sports or an accident, you’re more likely to develop arthritis in that joint.
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Family history: Certain types of arthritis run in families.
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Work-related injuries: If you have a job that requires frequent heavy lifting or repetitive movements that put stress on your joints, you’re more susceptible to developing arthritis.
How is Arthritis Diagnosed?
Tracking your arthritis symptoms for a few weeks is a smart step before visiting your doctor. Write down when stiffness happens, which joints hurt, and what makes it worse. Keep note of what is stiff and swollen, how long the pain lasts, and what triggers the pain. Knowing your symptoms will give your doctor a better idea of treatment. You and your doctor will discuss your medical history and signs and symptoms during your appointment.
There are various ways arthritis can be diagnosed, such as:
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Physical exam: During the physical exam, your doctor will check your swollen joints for redness, tenderness, warmth, or loss of motion.
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X-ray: An X-ray will tell you what kind of arthritis you have. X-rays are used to diagnose osteoarthritis, as they can show a loss of cartilage or bone spurs.
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Joint fluid testing: In some cases, your doctor will test the fluid in your joints. This will help to differentiate osteoarthritis from other types.
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Blood or urine testing: Blood or urine tests can help your doctor identify exactly what type of arthritis you have. For example, someone with rheumatoid arthritis will likely have antibodies called rheumatoid factors in their blood.
What Are the Treatment Options for Arthritis
The goal of arthritis treatment is to manage pain, minimize joint damage, and improve or maintain function and quality of life. Some of the arthritis treatment methods include:
Physical and Occupational Therapy
With occupational therapy, you’ll learn easier ways to do your everyday tasks. You’ll learn how to avoid certain positions that strain your joints and how to use your stronger muscles rather than your affected ones. You may need a brace to support your joints or use a walker.
Medication
Medication can help to reduce inflammation and improve the range of motion in the affected joints. Your doctor will probably prescribe acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to help decrease inflammation.
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor may suggest corticosteroid joint injections to relieve pain and stiffness. Additional drugs may be prescribed to individuals with rheumatoid arthritis to improve joint function.
Surgery
Surgery may be needed in more severe cases to restore joint movement and alleviate discomfort. These surgeries can include knee and hip joint replacements. Sometimes, spinal surgery is needed for neck and lower spine arthritis.
Non-Medical Treatment
In some cases, non-medical treatment has proven beneficial in relieving arthritis pain.
Using braces, canes, or specialized pillows can help alleviate pressure. For instance, if shoulder pain from arthritis disrupts your sleep, a system like MedCline's Shoulder Relief System can provide positional support to help you rest more comfortably. So, if you’re looking for shoulder pain relief, consider MedCline.
The Final Words: Listen to Your Body
Living with arthritis is not easy, it can make even the simplest daily tasks painful. But recognizing the signs of arthritis early and seeking treatment can make a world of difference. From lifestyle adjustments to medical care, there are many ways to ease pain, restore mobility, and improve quality of life.
Make sure to schedule a consultation with your doctor so that you can figure out the proper course of treatment.
Struggling to sleep due to arthritis pain? Explore how MedCline’s body-supporting pillows and relief systems can help you achieve the restorative, pain-free sleep you deserve.
