Osteoarthritis
Alternate Names : Hypertrophic osteoarthritis, Osteoarthrosis, Degenerative joint disease, DJD, OA, Arthritis - osteoarthritis
Symptoms & Signs
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include: - Deep aching joint pain that gets worse after exercise or putting weight on it, and is relieved by rest
- Pain that is worse when you start activities after a period of no activity
- Over time, pain is present even when you are at rest
- Grating of the joint with motion
- Increase in pain during humid or moist weather
- Joint swelling
- Limited movement
- Muscle weakness around arthritic joints
Some people might not have symptoms.
Diagnosis & Tests
A physical exam can show: - Joint movement may cause a cracking (grating) sound
- Joint swelling (bones around the joints may feel larger than normal)
- Limited range of motion
- Tenderness when the joint is pressed
- Normal movement is often painful
No blood tests are helpful in diagnosing osteoarthritis. An x-ray of affected joints will show a loss of the joint space. In advanced cases, there will be a wearing down of the ends of the bone and bone spurs.
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