Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Updated on 7/21/09

The major symptom from joints affected by OA is pain. The pain is usually felt when moving the joint, and the pain is made worse by activity and relieved by rest. There may also be some minor swelling. A joint may also be stiff for a few minutes upon waking or after rest, but generally does not last more than 30 minutes.

In later stages of OA, pain becomes more severe, and rest does not relieve it. In addition, there may be some enlargement or bony overgrowths of the joint; for example, knuckles may be bigger and appear more knobby.