Arthritis

Symptoms:

• joint pain (arthralgia)
• joint swelling
• early morning stiffness
• warmth around a joint
• redness of the skin around a joint
• reduced ability to move the joint
• unexplained weight loss, fever, or weakness that occurs with joint pain
• symptoms of this sort that last for more than two weeks

Signs and tests:

Physical examination may show a fluid collection around the joint (called an effusion). The joint may be tender when it is gently pressed (palpation). When attempting to rotate the joint through its normal movements, there may be some pain or difficulty moving it in certain or all directions. This is called limited range-of-motion.

Tests vary depending on the suspected cause. They may include various blood, joint fluid, muscle, or urine tests and joint X-rays (X-rays are seldom needed). See the specific types of arthritis.