Osteoarthritis Symptoms: Everything You Need To Know

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects around 33 million adults in the United States. Like other chronic pain conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, OA is exacerbated by poor health and metabolic disorders. Pain often decreases motivation to exercise, leading to a cycle of less physical activity and worsening health outcomes.

OA commonly affects large joints like the knee, but it can also be present initially in the fingers and toes. Over time, individuals with OA may experience symptoms in many joints throughout their bodies. Unlike peripheral neuropathy, which causes tingling and numbness in the limbs, OA results in joint pain, stiffness, and constant discomfort. It’s not uncommon to suffer from both conditions simultaneously, necessitating different treatment approaches.

Recognizing The Most Common Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis

To understand how osteoarthritis (OA) manifests itself, it is crucial first to clarify what OA is and how it affects the joints.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. It is an inflammatory condition that wears down the soft tissue in the joint. Over time, the excessive inflammation produced by the body breaks down the cartilage, which acts as the “cushion” responsible for keeping joint movements lubricated and friction-free. Osteoarthritis may also damage other tissues such as bones, tendons, ligaments, and the synovium, the connective layer that lines the joint.

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but it is more common in the hands, neck, lower back, and weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips. The symptoms experienced by someone diagnosed with OA are unique and can vary in intensity depending on how advanced the disease is.

Similar to neuropathy, the pain caused by osteoarthritis isn’t immediately visible.

Peripheral neuropathy causes tingling, burning, and numbness in the limbs, while OA causes joints to hurt, be stiff, and throb constantly. Unfortunately, it is common to suffer from multiple chronic pain conditions simultaneously, such as peripheral neuropathy and osteoarthritis.

There are varying treatment options for both conditions, both surgical and nonsurgical, but the options differ so much that patients suffering from both may wish to find a solution that addresses the pain they experience daily.

Some of the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

Persistent Joint Pain

Joint pain is a prevalent and persistent symptom of osteoarthritis, affecting more than 70% of older adults. This pain primarily results from the body’s heightened inflammation levels, which accelerate the breakdown of cartilage.

Although joints regularly face minor damage, the body typically self-heals to maintain lubrication and absorb shock. In osteoarthritis, however, cartilage breaks down faster than it can regenerate. This leads to a loss of the protective layer between joint components, causing bones, ligaments, and tendons to rub against each other during movement.

Moreover, persistent joint pain in osteoarthritis often presents as a deep ache or sharp discomfort, varying in intensity depending on activity levels and the extent of cartilage damage. This pain can radiate from the affected joint, affecting nearby muscles and limiting overall mobility.

The progressive loss of cartilage can lead to bone spurs, exacerbating pain and restricting joint flexibility. Over time, this deterioration may significantly impact daily activities, affecting individuals with osteoarthritis’s overall quality of life.

Reduced Flexibility And Stiffness

Osteoarthritis alters normal joint mechanics, causing bones to misalign and strain ligaments and tendons. This, coupled with decreased cartilage and synovial fluid (which lubricates joints), contributes to stiffness and limits the range of motion.

Morning stiffness in individuals with osteoarthritis worsens due to muscle and tendon tightening during periods of rest. As joint flexibility diminishes, routine tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, and bending become increasingly challenging, prompting the need for adaptive strategies and therapeutic interventions.

Recent statistics indicate that nearly 24 million people (43% of adults with osteoarthritis) experience activity limitations due to arthritis. These limitations often manifest as difficulty in performing tasks that require joint movement, affecting independence and overall well-being.

Joint Popping With Pain

Joint popping is typically painless in healthy individuals. The exact causes of this phenomenon, however, are still debated. It may involve the release of air bubbles (cavitation) or small spaces forming between joint components.

If joint popping is accompanied by discomfort or pain, especially in those diagnosed with arthritis, it should not be ignored. In osteoarthritis, this noise (crepitus) can signify mechanical issues within the joint, such as bones rubbing or soft tissues snapping onto bone structures.

Joint popping with pain can indicate ongoing joint degeneration, necessitating prompt medical evaluation and targeted interventions to manage symptoms effectively.

Swelling In Affected Areas

Swelling is a natural response to injury or infection, involving increased blood flow and fluid buildup in damaged tissues. In conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, sustained high inflammation levels lead to prolonged swelling, which contributes to tissue degradation in joint areas.

Persistent swelling in osteoarthritis can lead to joint deformity and increased pain, impacting mobility and functional abilities. Managing swelling effectively through medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications is crucial in mitigating its impact on joint health and overall well-being.

Bone Spurs (Osteophytes)

Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are excess bone growths near joints affected by osteoarthritis. They develop as the body tries to repair cartilage damage but can eventually compress nerves, impair movement, and cause friction against adjacent bones.

Symptoms associated with bone spurs include stiffness, reduced range of motion, and potential damage to tendons and ligaments. They most commonly occur in joints such as the hip, knee, neck, shoulder, spine, foot, or hand.

Over time, untreated bone spurs in osteoarthritis can lead to progressive joint dysfunction and chronic pain, necessitating tailored treatment approaches to alleviate symptoms and preserve joint function effectively.

Common Treatment Options For Osteoarthritis Pain

Various treatment options exist for managing OA pain:

• Over-the-Counter Supplements: Supplements like fish oil, Vitamin D, and curcumin, have benefits such as reducing inflammation.
• Pain Medications:  Consider using capsaicin cream, acetaminophen, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for effective short-term relief. Capsaicin cream and acetaminophen provide safe options, while NSAIDs can also be beneficial when used as directed.
• Hyaluronic Acid Viscosupplementation Injections: These injections can delay the need for surgery by replenishing synovial fluid, making movements more fluid and reducing pain and inflammation.
• Corticosteroid Injections:  These treatments can effectively reduce inflammation and pain for up to six months, providing extended relief when used appropriately.
• Invasive Procedures: Joint replacement surgeries might be necessary for advanced OA, involving reshaping or replacing joint components.

Comprehensive Approaches To Alleviating Osteoarthritis

Living with osteoarthritis can be challenging. At NextPain Care, we utilize a comprehensive three-step system to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis, ensuring each patient receives the most effective and personalized care. Our approach begins with non-invasive, non-opioid options, prioritizing treatments such as massage therapy, physiotherapy, electroanalgesia, and physical therapy to provide relief and improve functionality without the need for medication.

If these initial methods are insufficient, we progress to in-office procedures, including injections, nerve blocks, and epidurals, designed to target pain more directly and provide significant relief. For patients requiring more advanced intervention, our third step involves surgical procedures, which are performed in a hospital setting and may necessitate a rehabilitation period for optimal recovery. This structured, multi-step approach allows us to tailor treatments to the individual needs of our patients, ensuring the best possible outcomes at every stage.

Take Control of Osteoarthritis with NextPain Care’s Solutions

At NextPain Care, our mission is to deliver effective, patient-centered pain management through clinically proven methods. Rooted in empathy, positivity, genuineness, and innovation, we are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of our patients and the communities we serve.

Our commitment to the highest standards set by leading authorities ensures that each patient receives holistic and individualized care tailored to their unique needs. Experience compassionate and innovative osteoarthritis management with NextPain Care, where your well-being is our top priority.