Osteoarthritis - What Are The Symptoms?

With the advancing age, degeneration of the movable joints occurs leading to osteoarthritis. Joint involvement is usually determined by the overloading or overuse of a particular joint. For example, osteo arthritis of the finger joints is more common in the females, while in males hip or knee are commonly affected. Joint involvement may also be determined by the occupational overload, for example: the osteoarthritis of the ankle joint is more common in the ballet dancers, than in common people.

Joints commonly affected by osteoarthritis include-

1. Osteoarthritis of Finger Joints

• Most commonly, the distal inter phalangeal joints i.e. first finger joint from the finger tip, are affected (Heberden's nodes)

• However, the disease may also be found affecting the proximal inter phalangeal joints i.e. second finger joint from the finger tip (Bouchard's nodes). 

• Bony swelling of the affected joint occurs, along with pain and difficult movement of the joint. 

• Disease, when involves the thumb base, gives a 'squared appearance' to it. Progression of the discomfort is gradual.

2. Osteoarthritis of Hip

• Involvement of the hip is mostly attributed to some kind of congenital defect in the anatomy of the hip joint. 

• While, more frequently, single hip joint is affected; however, the bilateral involvement, affecting both the hips may also occur. 

• Pain is most often referred to the inguinal area, but may also be referred to the buttocks or the proximal thigh. 

• Initially, there is difficulty in the internal rotation of the affected joint, followed by difficulty in extension and flexion. 

3. Osteoarthritis of Knee

• Single or both the knees may be involved, leading to difficulty in motion. 

• On palpation, the affected knee may reveal bony swelling and tenderness. 

• Bony crepitus (sensation of bone rubbing against bone) may be heard on moving the joint. 

• Involvement of the medial compartment of the knee may lead to varus or bow-legged deformity, in which the leg is turned inward and the person walks on the outer border of the foot. 

• When the lateral compartment is affected, this leads to the valgus or knock-knee deformity, in which the leg is twisted outwards. 

• A 'shrug' sign i.e. pain when patella is compressed manually against the femur during quadriceps contraction, indicates involvement of the patellofemoral joint. 

4. Osteoarthritis of Spine

• Degenerative disease of the spine involves the apophyseal joints 

• (P.S. spondylosis refers to degenerative disk disease). 

• Symptoms include: localized pain and stiffness. 

5. Generalized Osteoarthritis

• This term is used when three or more joints are involved (distal and proximal interphalangeal joints are counted as one group each). 

• Symptoms may be episodic manifested as soft swelling, warmth and redness of the affected joint. 

• Though ESR may be elevated, but the serum rheumatoid factor tests are negative.

Symptoms and Signs of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis usually affects a single joint or only a few joints and is clinically manifested by:

• Patient often complaints of a deep aching pain in the involved joint.

• Typically, the pain is aggravated by use and relieved by rest. As the disease progresses, the pain may become persistent.

• Stiffness of the involved joint upon arising in the morning or after immobility (e.g. following a long ride in a car) may be prominent, but usually lasts less than 20 min.

• Bony crepitus (the sensation of bone rubbing against bone, evoked by joint movement) is characteristic.

• Systemic manifestations are usually not associated.

Also read:

How To Avoid Joint Replacement Surgery In Case Of Osteoarthritis?

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