Prevention: Doctors Reveal 5 Early Signs of Arthritis You Should Always Get Checked Out
Prevention recently interviewed Jeffrey Zarin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, about early warning signs of osteoarthritis and why spotting them sooner rather than later can help protect joint health.
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, occurs when the protective cartilage cushioning the ends of bones gradually wears down over time.
Zarin told Prevention that while damage to cartilage cannot be reversed, patients can take steps to slow disease progression. He pointed to several early signs worth noting, including morning joint stiffness—a classic symptom.
“When you do not move your joints when you are sleeping, and you first get up in the morning, the inflammation of inactivity can give a sensation of stiffness until you start to move the joints,” he said.
Zarin told Prevention joints that click, pop or crack also can signal trouble when paired with other symptoms.
“If the cartilage is not smooth and slippery the way it is supposed to be, certain movements can make mechanical noises or [a sense] of catching,” he said.
Reduced flexibility is another sign. Swelling and inflammation around a joint can limit how well the surrounding tissues move, making it harder to bend or straighten than before.
“When inflammation occurs, the body increases the circulation to the area where the problem is,” Zarin explained to Prevention. “This can cause fluid buildup, warmth, and the sensation or appearance of swelling.”
He emphasized that acting early matters because key lifestyle changes—such as avoiding high-impact activities or losing weight if obesity is a factor—tend to be most effective in the earliest stages.
“If it is identified early that there is some degenerative change in a joint, making life choices to help protect the joint can help prevent its progression and prolong healthy function as long as possible,” he said.
Experts recommend getting any persistent joint pain or reduced mobility evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Read the complete article from Prevention.