Arthritis is a condition where joints become inflamed or worn down over time. One common form is Osteoarthritis, which often develops gradually.
Here are 7 warning signs you shouldn’t ignore:
1) Persistent joint pain
- Pain lasting weeks or months
- Worse with movement or after activity
2) Morning stiffness
- Joints feel stiff after waking up
- Takes time (30+ minutes) to loosen
3) Swelling around joints
- Puffiness in knees, fingers, wrists, or ankles
- May feel warm or tender
4) Reduced flexibility
- Hard to fully bend or straighten joints
- Everyday tasks become difficult
5) Grinding or cracking sensation
- Clicking or “creaking” when moving joints
- Often due to cartilage wear
6) Weakness or instability
- Joints feel like they might “give out”
- Difficulty holding or gripping objects
7) Joint shape changes (advanced cases)
- Fingers or joints may become misaligned
- More common in long-term untreated cases
