Arthritis is one of the most common disorders that affect millions of people. There are various forms of arthritis and all of them have similar tendencies to affect the body. Osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, gouty arthritis, septic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are major types of arthritis. All kinds of arthritis cause pain and stiffness of the joints and surrounding soft tissues. Identifying signs and symptoms of arthritis is very important for accurate diagnosis of this joint disease.
Signs and symptoms of arthritis can vary in severity, frequency, location and type. However, there are some common symptoms that can be typically found in all types of arthritis which include inflammation, pain, tenderness and stiffness of joint as well as restricted mobility of the joints. There are two basic types of arthritis such as inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis. The inflammatory arthritis can involve multiple joints and cause inflammation, warmth, lack of mobility of the joints. There may be additional pain in elbows, knees, spine, back, hip, hands and shoulders in a symmetrical pattern. The non-inflammatory type of arthritis causes inflammation, tenderness and stiffness in the joints of knee, foot, hips, back, hands and fingers.
Signs and symptoms of arthritis can be different in various forms of arthritis. They can help in diagnosis and identifying the type of arthritis. Patient with osteoarthritis may experience pain, discomfort, swelling and stiffness in the joints especially early in the morning. Usually, the joints of knees, hips, feet, hands, fingers and elbows are involved. Grinding or creaking noise within the joint is the significant symptom of osteoarthritis.
Pain, inflammation, tenderness, redness and warmth in the joints of wrists, ankles, knees, elbows, hips, shoulders and feet are the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. General symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are malaise (blah feeling), fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, myalgias (muscle aches) and weakness or loss of energy.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of inflammatory arthritis which involves spine and joints of hips, heels and chest wall. Diffused pain and stiffness in the buttocks and lower back are the most common symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. This disease can cause inflammation of other body parts such as eyes, heart, lungs and kidneys.
Gout is caused by degeneration of uric acid in the synovial fluid and gives rise to the symptoms like inflammation, swelling, redness and tenderness of the joints of ankles, knees, feet, wrists, hands and toe. Formation of tophi nodules, kidney stone formation and impaired kidney function are other significant symptoms of gout.
Many forms of arthritis can involve various organs such as kidneys, heart and lungs. Hence, there may be appearance of symptoms associated with inflammation of these organs. Other general signs and symptoms of arthritis are fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling unwell and fatigue.
