Symptoms of osteoarthritis
Typical symptoms that occur with osteoarthritis
There are characteristic symptoms of the Osteoarthritis symptomsthat apply to almost all joints, regardless of where the arthrosis manifested.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Of the Starting pain: It is understood as the typical intensification of pain or the typical occurrence of pain at the beginning of a load, e.g. Hip joint pain after getting up from the chair after a long period of sitting or in the morning after getting up. The osteoarthritis patient needs a little to "to get going". If the joint has warmed up, the symptoms improve.
- Of the Stress pain: The joint can sometimes be stressed quite well for a while. After a certain time, however, they worsen the symptoms again. Sometimes the joint feels warm and swells. The symptoms worsen during the day. Rest relieves the symptoms.
Further Characteristics of osteoarthritis are:
- Swelling of the joint
- Overheating of the joint
- Sense of stiffness of the joint
- Restriction of movement of the joint
- Change in shape of the joint
The leading symptom of arthrosis are the joint pain. They are divided into a so-called Early Triassic and a Late Triassic. The early Triassic occurs primarily in the case of milder osteoarthritis and consists of initial pain, which occurs mainly in the morning after getting up (as the first movement pain), pain from fatigue (after long and monotonous movements) and exercise pain, which mainly occurs during strong stressful movements. The pain has the character of a radiating pain. It can happen that the pain is projected in a completely different place, far away from the area of origin (e.g. Knee pain at a Hip osteoarthritis).
The Symptoms of the Late Triassic appear mostly in advanced osteoarthritis. They consist of one Persistent painthat occurs independently of movement, one Night pain, which occurs mainly when resting and Pain in the Muscles. The restriction of movement is characteristic of the Late Triassic, which is noticeable in the fact that familiar movements can no longer be performed and blockages in the joint occur. In some cases there is a sensitivity to the weather (patients feel particularly great pain in certain weather conditions). Sometimes so-called crepitations also occur, i.e. bone rubbing. In advanced cases, there are symptoms of thickening of the joints, joint deformities, instability of the joints, Misalignments of the joints and Atrophies of Muscles (sunken muscle bellies). In severe courses, muscle contractures occur, in which the muscles are tight and cramped (cramps).
In the so-called activated arthrosis the joint and the surrounding area are overheated. The joint is also tender. In some cases, a joint effusion forms with swelling. This swelling could be seen on ultrasound.
Learn more about the Diagnosis of osteoarthritis
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Symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis
Arthrosis, i.e. the wear and tear of cartilage in the shoulder (omarthrosis), leads to a direct rubbing of the shoulder socket and the humerus head together.
To Onset of illness the complaints are often unspecific, it often happens to Shoulder pain when resting or pain in the right, or. left arm after exercise or at night. Later, lying on the affected shoulder becomes very painful, with certain movements it comes to Pain symptoms and to one Loss of strength in the shoulder. It comes to one limited mobility In everyday life, be it when carrying or lifting, washing your hair or doing sports, many activities are tortured by pain.
Often a Crackling or crunching felt in the shoulder when the arm is stretched forward or raised above the head. In addition to the Shoulder pain are common in osteoarthritis Restrictions on rotational movements and lateral spreading observed. The shoulder joint can also be swollen from osteoarthritis. However, the joint is surrounded by strong muscles, which is why it is often difficult to determine the swelling with certainty.
In the further course of the disease it can general movement restrictions come. Often with shoulder osteoarthritis adjacent joints affected, for example in Shoulder joint (Connection between the outer end of the Collarbone and the top of the Scapula). In the advanced stages of osteoarthritis there can be one pain-related relieving posture of the shoulder joint and consequently to a significant functional restriction.
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
The typical symptom of a Osteoarthritis of the knee (Gonarthrosis) are pain in the knee when climbing stairs such as when walking on unpaved roads. These symptoms are not very specific and are often not recognized as symptoms of osteoarthritis. Usually the knee pain is very strong at the beginning of a movement (so-called Starting pain), then slowly subside and reappear with prolonged exposure (so-called Exercise pain). Become common Pain behind the kneecap complained after sitting for a long time.
Besides, it can too grinding or cracking rubbing noises come with knee movements. Those affected also report one increased sensitivity across from damp and cold weather. The knee joint can too swollen, overheated, red and deformed be. The severe pain and swelling often lead to the relief of the knee joint, which becomes measurable after a short time Muscle decline and one Restriction of mobility can lead. This affects the stability of the knee and increases the pain, making the situation worse Vicious circle.
The further the knee osteoarthritis has progressed, the more frequent the pain, which can then also occur at rest or at night. In addition, the mobility of the knee continues to decrease; in rare cases the knee becomes stiff due to osteoarthritis.
Learn more about this: Knee osteoarthritis
Symptoms of hip osteoarthritis
The Hip arthrosis (Coxarthrosis) often starts very harmless with slight pain at the beginning of a movement, especially after long periods of sitting or in the morning after getting up. The pain subsides after a few steps, but occurs more and more frequently. Movements like that Bending over and descending stairs, but also Turning movements (e.g. when getting out of the car) or that Spread and pull your legs towards you are becoming increasingly difficult.
in the advanced stage hip osteoarthritis causes pain even at rest and at night on. Those affected often complain about one Groin pain, which radiates over the thigh to the knee joint on the same side. Often it comes to one after long walks slight buckling of the hip on the affected side or those affected begin to limp. Arthrosis also restricts mobility in the hip joint. The thigh can no longer be bent or stretched without problems, the leg can only be spread apart with pain and rotational movements are hardly or not at all possible. Certain movements can no longer be performed because that Joint blocked.
Depending on the extent of the signs of wear, you can also Rubbing noises when walking be heard, the affected person feels that the joint no longer runs "smoothly". Symptoms accompanying hip joint arthrosis are common Back pain on the lumbar spine. By relieving posture or incorrect loading due to hip pain, above all that Sacrum-iliac joint and the knee joint affected. Hip joint arthrosis typically does not result in joint swelling or instability in the hip joint.
Learn more about the Symptoms of hip osteoarthritis
Symptoms of thumb osteoarthritis
Of the Joint wear on the thumb saddle joint is also known as Rhizarthrosis called and occurs very often at the same time on both sides on. The first symptoms of the disease are often pain when reaching for heavy objects such as a water bottle. The feeling of a Stiffness of the fingers especially In the morning and Problems with closing fists will be described. At times it can become a so-called activated osteoarthritis come, the thumb joint swells, is reddened and overheated. The thumb saddle joint is the most flexible joint of the thumb and involved in all movement patterns, therefore in most cases there is severe pain.
Also fall Turning movements like turning a key in the lock harder and the Hand strength and sensitivity decrease. Fine motor movements such as unscrewing a screw cap from a beverage bottle are more difficult and require several attempts. The thumb saddle joint can become unstable. In the further course there is one Ossification of the joint capsuleresulting in a deformity (Subluxation) of the thumb in the saddle joint. These changes are visible to the outside, but the mobility of the thumb is usually not restricted. In addition, bone growth processes (formation of osteophytes) become palpable over time.
Symptoms of finger osteoarthritis
The characteristic degenerative changes in the joints in osteoarthritis can basically affect every joint in the body.
Often, however, the typical osteoarthritis complaints of the fingers or finger joints occur. The vast majority of those affected are middle-aged women.
A distinction is made between arthrosis on the end joints of the fingers (so-called Heberden's arthrosis) and those on the middle joints of the fingers (so-called Bouchard's arthrosis).
In general, typical nodules and bulges can be felt relatively early in both forms of arthritis.
The course of osteoarthritis of the finger joints can be very different.
On the one hand, there are patients who have almost no pain or restricted mobility to complain about. On the other hand, however, there are those affected who suffer from severe pain and who may develop misalignments of the fingers and the associated functional disorders in the course of the disease. The first symptoms of the onset of osteoarthritis of the finger joints can be pain that occurs when grasping objects, especially heavy objects. In addition, swelling of the joints can occur.
In the end joints of the fingers (Heberden's arthrosis), a so-called flexion contracture usually occurs over time, which can also be thickened by the bony attachments on the joint. The fingertips are then bent forward and can no longer be fully extended. In addition, this form of osteoarthritis often causes blister-like swellings that are filled with a gelatinous liquid. These are known as mucoid cysts and are easy to empty. Heberden's arthrosis is the most common form of arthritis in the hand.
In the middle joints of the fingers (Bouchard arthrosis), this disease usually manifests itself on several fingers at the same time. Here, too, there is thickening of the joints, which is caused by bone extensions.
Learn more about:
- Finger osteoarthritis
- Bouchard osteoarthritis
Symptoms of hand osteoarthritis
The Osteoarthritis in the wrist is a sign of that Wear on this joint. It is about a relatively rare disease and can do both one-sided as well as both sides occur.
Often this occurs as a long-term consequence of a malposition that has healed Forearm fractures (mostly distal radius fracture) or Carpal fractures (especially of the scaphoid bone) in appearance. But with some carpal diseases or other inflammatory processes, osteoarthritis symptoms can also occur on the wrist. The most common is that Radiocarpal joint affected, i.e. the joint where the radius (spoke) articulates with the carpal bones.
Stand primarily Pain and Restrictions on movement in the foreground, as the pain is mostly in Combination with movement occur. Later this pain can also be present at rest and the entire wrist can be deformed.
Additionally can Bone attachments to be felt. Also noticeable is the severe swelling of the back of the hand.
In some cases are Joint inflammation to observe, which are relapsing. In the acute episode it comes to Swelling, redness, pain and Overheating of the joint.
Please also read: Osteoarthritis attack
In some patients the pain is also depending on the weather. Wetness and cold tend to have a negative effect on the symptoms, dry heat, on the other hand, alleviates this.
In the final stages of this disease, however, there are usually very great restrictions on movement and in the worst case it can lead to loss of function of the wrist. Therefore, early and stage-appropriate therapy is essential to maintain the quality of life of those affected.
Learn more about the Wrist osteoarthritis
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the foot
The Osteoarthritis of the joints on the foot most often concerns this upper ankle, the joint of the big toe or the Tarsal joints. Arthrosis of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe is also referred to as a so-called Hallux rigidus.
The symptoms are usually felt in the immediate vicinity of the affected joint and are initially expressed in the form of pain.
In the early stages of this disease, the pain usually only occurs in phases and in particular after heavy exercise, such as after long running or jumping movements. After a certain Rest The symptoms usually improve again until they are completely free of symptoms.
In addition to the pain that those affected usually call Tenderness is specified, a Swelling of the affected joint occur.
In a later stage of the disease, the symptoms can persist, i.e. either not at all or not completely. This can limit the function of the affected joint and thus also the mobility of the entire foot. It is also possible that the pain turns out to be so-called Starting pain expresses. This occurs after a long period of rest and then improves with movement.
If the articular cartilage is broken down further in the course of osteoarthritis, the pain also occurs at rest, which is why those affected often tend to relieve themselves, which can be associated with incorrect strain. This in turn can lead to further remodeling / regression of the foot or the surrounding muscles in the further course, which ultimately leads to a Worsening of the functionality of the lower extremity can end. In the worst case, the entire foot can become stiff.
Please also read: Ankle arthrosis
