Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
- Symptoms
The first symptom of Osteoarthritis is a recurring pain in the affected joint(s) or muscles around the joint after a period of prolonged or strenuous use, such as after a long walk or exercise. The pain increases with continued use of the joint, but usually subsides after sufficient rest.
Mild stiffness usually sets in when the joints have been rested (“gelling”). Therefore, if you’ve been sitting still for some time, your hips and knees may feel stiff upon standing again.
In advanced Osteoarthritis where much of the cartilage or “protective lining” around the joints has disintegrated, it may cause an increased secretion of joint fluid, which tends to accumulate around the joint area leading to mild swelling of the joint.
