Joint pain is a common arthritis symptom that affects several Americans every year. While there are many types of arthritis, almost all arthritis pain symptoms are usually similar in nature. It is, however, also true that most arthritis pain symptoms generally vary according to the type and severity of the condition. Most arthritis patients suffer from pain symptoms that could range from a throbbing sensation to a sharp piercing pain.

Joint pain
One of the most distinguishing arthritis pain symptoms is discomfort in the joints. Joint pain that stems out of arthritis often worsens with time and activity. Generally, most arthritis pain symptoms are relieved by rest and aggravated by activity. However, in case of rheumatoid arthritis, the pain may worsen even further with inactivity. When joint pain is triggered by arthritis, it is likely to worsen with weather changes and the amount of activity.

Inflammation
Inflammation is a common symptom that can be caused by several conditions including injury, infection or gout. However, arthritis is often accompanied by swollen joints in all types of arthritis pain. For instance, osteoarthritis often results in the body producing excess fluid as a response to the underlying inflammation. Similarly, rheumatoid arthritis that is an autoimmune disease causes heavy inflammation in multiple joints.

Stiffness of joints
One of the most common types of arthritis pain symptoms is characterized by soreness in the joints and stiffness of the extremities. Stiffness of the joint also affects joint motion. Patients with arthritis often tend to feel extremely stiff during the early hours of the morning right after they wake up. Stiffness is usually at its peak especially when the body is at rest for a long time.

Joint deformity
Joint deformity is one of those arthritis pain symptoms that causes a great deal of discomfort and trauma. Arthritis causes the affected joint cartilage to wear out. Arthritis leads to the wear and tear of the cartilage thereby causing deformity. The deformity may include the extremities to wear a crooked or angled look. Joint deformity is most common in fingers, knee joints, and the like

Grinding sensation
When the cartilage from the joint is worn out, it causes the cushion lining covering the bone to wear out as well. As the lining is lost, the bones happen to cause friction and a strong grinding sensation can be felt.

Tender joints
Quite like grinding sensations, arthritic joints are also tender to touch. The joint affected by arthritis usually tends to be more tender than the one with a milder degree of arthritis. To determine whether the tenderness is one of the many arthritis pain symptoms, consider pressing around the joint. In case the joint is inflamed and causes soreness and tenderness, it may be a strong indication of underlying arthritis.

Warmness or redness in the joint
Joint warmness is a result of arthritic inflammation. While redness or warmness can be a strong marker of joint infection, it is also highly suggestive of arthritis.

Weakness
Often, when arthritis affects the knees it leads to overall weakness in the entire knee joint structure. Weakness in the knees causes the knees to become brittle and unstable. Weakness further causes the knees to lock or buckle. This causes discomfort and reduced range of motion among arthritis patients.

Restricted range of motion
As mentioned above, brittle bones cause buckling and locking that affects an arthritis patient’s movements. Arthritis damages the cartilage to an extent that simple movements tend to become increasingly difficult and adds to poor range of motion. Often, arthritis patients face inconveniences on a daily basis that range from difficulty climbing stairs to trouble walking without assistance.

Gradual increase in severity
Arthritis pain starts with mildly painful symptoms and often gradually progresses to become severe over the years. When arthritis sets in, it may cause a sudden discomfort which is likely to develop and worsen. In case you constantly experience pain in the joints right after being inactive for a long time, it is a strong indicator of arthritic pain that gradually progresses. Similarly, in case the temperature drops suddenly, most arthritis patients tend to experience pain that gets aggravated by adverse r extreme weather conditions.

Numbness
Arthritis often leads to a tingling sensation in the nerves that may cause numbness in the affected area.

Malaise
Rheumatoid arthritis pain tends to invoke in a patient an overall feeling of being unwell or sick. Inflammation, coupled with nagging pain and the inability to perform daily tasks often gives arthritis patients a difficult time.