8 Early Signs of Arthritis You Should Never Ignore

3. Joint stiffness, especially in the morning. 

Stiffness may occur after prolonged sitting, after activity or when you wake up. “It’s a feeling that you need lubrication to do something,” Cannada explains. Morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes is a hallmark of RA.

4. Grating or popping sound or sensation.

Grinding or grating as a joint moves could be a sign the cartilage in your joint has worn down and may indicate arthritis, Cannada says. You may also notice a clicking or popping sound when you bend certain joints. It’s most common in the knee and hip but can affect other joints as well.

5. Pain in a joint that was previously injured. 

Many cases of osteoarthritis occur in parts of the body that sustained a prior injury or trauma. “If a football player had a knee injury back in high school, then they’re likely to get knee osteoarthritis later,” Haque says.

6. Groin pain. 

Many people don’t realize pain from hip arthritis radiates to the groin, not the outside of the hip, Cannada says. Hip arthritis can also cause pain to spread to your thigh or buttocks.

7. Symmetrical joint pain. 

RA often causes problems in the same joints on both sides of your body, like both wrists or both knees.

8. Pain or stiffness in your hands and feet. 

Rheumatoid and other types of inflammatory arthritis often develop first in the small joints of your hands, wrists and feet, Haque says. “Somebody with inflammatory arthritis may say, ‘In the morning when I wake up, my feet are very stiff, I can barely move them, and it’s painful to bend my toes. Then the day goes on and I feel better.’”

Arthritis treatment

Arthritis has no cure, but there are steps you can take to minimize pain and stiffness, says Dr. Rochelle Rosian, a rheumatologist with the Cleveland Clinic Department of Rheumatologic and Immunologic Diseases. “There is a lot we can do to help you feel better,” she says. “You can live a long and healthy life with arthritis.”

Your primary care doctor may be able to treat your symptoms if they’re mild, or they may refer you to a rheumatologist, a sports medicine doctor, an orthopedist or a podiatrist, depending on your symptoms and where your problem is located.

Expect your doctor to ask you questions like:

• When did the pain and stiffness begin?
• What type of pain is it? Dull, sharp, stiff, throbbing?
• What makes your pain better?
• What makes it worse?
• Do any family members have arthritis or autoimmune issues? 
• Did you have an injury to the area?

Things you can do to for your arthritis pain

Here are some steps your doctor may recommend to help ease your pain.

1. Weight loss.

You may not want to hear it, but the extra pounds you’re carrying are putting stress on your joints. “For every pound you carry, the force on your knee is multiplied by three,” Rosian says. “If you gain 10 pounds, your knee feels 30 pounds of pressure. Maintaining an ideal body weight is critical for managing arthritis.” 

2. Exercise. 

If you are in pain, you may be tempted to move less, but studies show physical activity helps reduce pain and improves movement in arthritis patients. “Keeping the muscles around your joint active and strong is key in protecting and stabilizing the joint,” Haque says. Low-impact activities like cycling or swimming will be easier on the joints.

3. Physical therapy. 

A physical therapist can teach you specific exercises to do to strengthen the muscles around your joint, Haque says. A physical therapist can also work with you to correct any gait abnormalities that are putting extra stress on your knees, feet or hips.

4. Medication. 

If you have osteoarthritis, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the safest over-the-counter pain reliever for long-term use, Rosian says, but NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Advil or Motrin may be more effective if your joints are swollen and feel warm to the touch. Some NSAIDs are also available as liquids or gels that you can rub on your joints. For rheumatoid arthritis patients, early treatment with specific drugs can improve the long-term outcome.

5. Topical treatments. 

Over-the-counter or prescription creams and sports ointments can help relieve pain. A research article published by an expert panel of health professionals in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research recommended topical NSAIDs such as diclofenac (Voltaren) over oral NSAIDs as first-line treatments to manage mild-to-moderate arthritis pain. Some patients have also reported success with cannabidiol (CBD) oils and creams, Rosian says.

6. Joint supports or splints. 

A splint or brace can help support and protect a damaged joint. Some immobilize and rest the joint in the ideal position to minimize stress. Others provide support while you perform a task. Examples include wrist splints, knee braces and orthotics.

7. Injections. 

If you are still experiencing pain despite trying other therapies, your doctor may suggest injections of cortisone (steroid shots) for short-term relief. However, several studies suggest that repeated cortisone injections may lead to more joint damage and pain. Some doctors recommend hyaluronic acid injections instead, but research results on their benefits have been inconsistent. Others offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cell injections, but experts say it’s too soon to know how well those approaches work.

8. Surgery. 

Eventually, your doctor may recommend surgery to replace or stabilize your joint. There are many different surgical options, depending on where you have pain and how bad it is. For severe cases, you may need a total joint replacement.​​

Editor’s Note: The article was originally published on Feb. 18, 2020. It has been updated with new information.​