Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

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Symptoms appear gradually, with pain only occuring from time to time at first and becoming more frequent. Joint movement becomes progressively more limited, at first because of pain and muscle spasm, but later because the joint capsule (created by ligaments holding the bones together) becomes thickened and less flexible. Movement may cause fairly loud creaking, and swelling occurs even from minor injuries.

After resting you will often feel stiff, but in the first stages this generally only lasts for about 15 to 30 minutes and soon disappears as you get moving. As the condition gradually gets worse, the stiffness increases and movement in the affected joints becomes restricted.

This limited amount of joint movement will cause the muscles that normally move the joint to get tighter and shorter, if the condition is not treated. This eventually results in permanent inability to straighten the joint fully â€“ a state known as a flexion contracture.

As osteoarthritis progresses, you start to be aware of a grating sensation when moving the joint and there may even be tenderness if you press it. In the later stages of the condition the joint gets bigger because of the growth of bone, cartilage, ligament, tendon, internal joint membrane and joint capsule. Inflammation occurs in the soft tissues of the joint. This, of course, adds to the pain. Activities such as walking and dressing may become more difficult, and sleep may become disrupted.