How do you know if the pain and discomfort in your hands, hips, or knees are symptomatic of something serious? Sometimes, pain is caused by minor injuries or overuse. A few days of rest and recovery make the symptoms go away. However, for some people, pain and discomfort are caused by chronic conditions, such as arthritis.
Arthritis is a progressive disease and is a leading cause of disability in the United States. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, but the two most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In the beginning stages, arthritis can go undetected. Because of this, it’s important to look out for signs that help get you a diagnosis quickly.
Here are some signs that may indicate you have arthritis.
Pain
Osteoarthritis pain typically starts in one joint and gets worse with time. Once the pain begins, it will likely get worse as the day progresses and after a long day of being active. The pain is described as a dull, aching, or burning sensation in one or more joints. Typically, arthritis pain stays localized in a few joints in the beginning, and over the matter of months or years, it progresses to other joints in the body.
Swelling
Another symptom of arthritis is swelling. In the beginning stages of arthritis, you are likely to feel some soreness and pain in one or more joint as well as swelling. In the beginning, the swelling is likely to set in after physical activity that irritates the affected joints. Swelling is likely to get worse over the years and will set in much sooner and with less physical activity.
Stiffness
If you experiencing stiffness in some joints when you wake up in the morning, it could be a of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The stiffness may be due to the synovial fluid drying up as a result of aging. The movement of your joints may become restricted, and you may even hear cracking sounds when you move the affected joints.
Not all patients experience the same symptoms or in the same pattern when it comes to arthritis. Additionally, the condition progresses at different speeds for people. While some patients may experience stiffness and pain, others may feel a dull ache and swelling. Finally, no specific joint is more prone to arthritic symptoms than another. It could affect your knee, elbow, lower back, hip, or even fingers.
If you notice pain, aching, swelling, or stiffness in any joint that lasts longer than a few days or comes back repeatedly, talk to a doctor to get diagnosed and treated. The sooner you get diagnosed and manage your arthritis, the less affect it will have on the quality of your life.
Arthritis Diagnosis and Symptom Management in Denton, Texas
For comprehensive arthritis treatment and management, Star Medical Associates is here to help. For over 30 years, we have helped the residents of Denton and Frisco manage chronic conditions like arthritis.
To schedule an appointment with Star Medical Associates, call our Denton clinic at (940) 382-6900 or our Frisco clinic at (469) 301-2300 or submit an appointment request now.
