Limited Range of Motion
Reduction in or loss of regular range of motion in the joints impacted by osteoarthritis could develop due to flexion contractures, swelling, pain, and irregularities associated with loss of cartilage, such as mechanical inhibition of the joint linked to loose bodies or misalignment of the joint.
Joint Swelling
Effusions and swelling are usually due to some form of trauma or inflammation, as osteoarthritis normally would not result in any swelling or effusions.
Joint Enlargement
The enlargement of joints is a feature of osteoarthritis, plus it might be related to joint effusion or bony enlargement. As it related to osteoarthritis of the hand, joint enlargement is typical, especially the distal interphalangeal joints and the proximal interphalangeal joints of the hand. Development of bone spurs or bony outgrowths, also known as osteophytes that could be felt directly below the skin, around the region of each joint, might also, add to the joint enlargement or bony growths. Bouchard’s nodes and Heberden’s nodes are osteoarthritis’ features. Effusions linked to osteoarthritis are normally not connected to warmth or redness and noninflammatory.
Crepitus
Passive or active movement of each joint impacted by osteoarthritis might result in grinding or crackling sensations, known as crepitus. These feelings might be palpable or audible. This condition is a result of irregular or uneven joint surfaces, surfaces that would otherwise be smooth and even, or by debris logged in the joint.
Joint Misalignment or Deformity
Severe loss of cartilage in the impacted joint could result in deformity or misalignment. Misalignment is typically apparent with knee osteoarthritis. A normal alignment of a knee has its load-bearing axis on a line which travels down the center of the leg. A knee that becomes misaligned could be valgus or varus, which is knock-kneed or bow-legged, respectively.
Varus misalignment is typical with knee osteoarthritis that is severe; however, it also might happen with the mild or moderate form of the condition. Medial compartment knee osteoarthritis is normally connected with varus misalignment, whereas valgus misalignment is characteristically associated with lateral compartment knee osteoarthritis.
Joint Instability
Joint deformity, stiffness of the joint, or joint pain could result in unstable joints. The instability might result in individuals feeling a joint that is weight-bearing could give out or buckle under the pressure of the weight. It could also result in the joint becoming locked, which impacts stability.
Localized Inflammation
No form of osteoarthritis is considered a systemic inflammatory disease. Even though there might be effusion or swelling of the soft tissue, osteoarthritis has inflammation that is localized and not as impactful when matching up to inflammatory forms of arthritis.
Symptoms That Are Rare
It is dependent on which joints have been impacted, that would cause other symptoms to manifest themselves that would not have normally come to mind when it relates to arthritis. Symptoms like these would take place as osteoarthritis is impacting the spine and neck.
These are symptoms of the condition consists of pain that radiates from the shoulder blade and travels down the arm, headaches which are centralized on the back of the head, weakness of the legs and arms, and tingling and numbness of the legs and arms. With that said, there are several other health conditions that could result in the manifestation of these symptoms as well, therefore consult your primary health provider so that they could make the correct diagnosis.