What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Pain often builds when a joint is loaded, such as during walking, climbing stairs, gripping or standing. Stiffness can be noticeable after waking or sitting still and may ease as the joint moves; see Morning Joint Stiffness for more detail. The joint may feel tender when pressed, look mildly swollen or produce grating and clicking sensations. Reduced flexibility can make ordinary tasks harder, particularly in the knees, hips, hands or spine. Symptoms can vary from day to day and do not always match what an examination or scan shows.

Record which joint hurts, what activity brings it on, how long stiffness lasts and whether swelling changes. Gentle, regular movement is usually more useful than prolonged rest; a clinician or physiotherapist can tailor Exercise Therapy and help protect strength and function. Weight Management for Joint Pain may reduce load on weight-bearing joints. Medicines or injections, including Anti-Inflammatory Medication, Cortisone Injection or Hyaluronic Acid Injection, need an individual review of benefits, risks and other conditions.

Arrange an assessment if pain keeps returning, limits sleep or daily activities, or movement is becoming more restricted. Seek prompt care for a hot, very swollen joint, fever, sudden severe pain, inability to bear weight, or symptoms after a significant injury. These features can have causes other than osteoarthritis and need examination.

Which joint findings support osteoarthritis, and what else should be considered? What activity changes can maintain movement without aggravating pain? Would Physiotherapy or Reduced Range of Motion assessment help me? Which pain-relief options fit my medical history?