The #1 Early Sign of Arthritis Most People Miss, According to a Rheumatologist

Emily Laurence

Every movement we make involves the joints. Walking around the block, waving hi to a friend, even typing on your computer. The constant use of our joints is exactly what makes arthritis (inflammation of the joints) so debilitating.

An estimated 24 percent of all adults in the U.S. (or 58.5 million) have arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s even the leading cause of work disability. Arthritis comes in several different forms, including osteoarthritis (the most common type of arthritis and happens when bones become brittle due to age), rheumatoid arthritis (which happens when the immune system attacks the tissue lining in the joints and can happen at any age) and psoriatic arthritis (which is associated with having psoriasis or a family history of psoriasis).

Pinpointing the earliest signs of arthritis isn’t always easy. Here, a rheumatologist explains exactly what to keep an eye out for as well as his top tips for taking care of your joints.

Related: The 20 Best Foods to Reduce Inflammation and Ease Arthritis Pain

What Causes Arthritis?

Before getting into what early signs to be aware of, it’s helpful to know what causes arthritis in the first place. According to Dr. Tarek Kteleh, MD, a rheumatologist and the CEO of Rheumatology of Central Indiana, this depends on the type of arthritis. Dr. Kteleh explains that osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear that comes with use and age. Just like how a house’s doors and cabinetry can become creaky as the house ages, so can our joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis have a different cause. Dr. Kteleh explains that both of these types of arthritis are caused by inflammation stemming from an autoimmune condition. Unlike osteoarthritis (which affects older adults), people of any age can have rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis.

Related: Arthritis Pain Is Real! Here's How Two Patients Deal With Inflammation and Osteoarthritis  

Some factors can put someone at increased risk for arthritis. “People who overuse their body and those who are overweight are at increased risk of osteoarthritis,” Dr. Kteleh says. This is because both overuse and increased weight puts extra stress on the joints, which, over time, can cause them to become weak. As for the other two forms of arthritis, Dr. Kteleh says that genetics and environment both play a role; if people in your immediate family have rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, you are more likely to experience it than those who don’t have a family history. Since these types of arthritis are caused by inflammation, Dr. Kteleh says that people who have a diet high in inflammatory foods (like sugar or processed meat) or unhealthy lifestyle habits (like smoking) are at an increased risk.

Related: These Are the Top Foods to Avoid If You're Living With Arthritis (and What You Should Eat Instead)

Early Signs of Arthritis—Including One Many People Miss

Dr. Kteleh says that one of the tell-tale signs of arthritis is joint pain. If going up the stairs is making your knees hurt or swinging your tennis racket makes it feel like your elbow is on fire, these are signs that you may have arthritis. But Dr. Kteleh says that there’s another sign to be aware of: stiffness.

If you find that your knees, elbows, fingers and toes don’t bend as readily as they used to, this stiffness is a sign that you could have arthritis and you should book an appointment with your healthcare provider. Arthritis is diagnosed through a physical exam, x-rays and blood tests. An X-ray can show if bones have become weak and brittle while a blood test can check for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) antibodies, which can appear in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Here’s the good news: arthritis is treatable. “There are several modalities of treatment. Some include medications, others injections, physical therapy or surgery based on the kind of arthritis the patient has and how advanced the arthritis is,” Dr. Kteleh says. He also emphasizes the importance of minimizing inflammatory foods or lifestyle habits that can make arthritis worse.

Since arthritis is so common, especially in older adults, it’s crucial to know the earliest signs so you’re able to address it quickly. Otherwise, it can be very painful and debilitating. So, if you are experiencing any pain or stiffness in your joints, take it seriously and talk to your healthcare provider about it. That way, you’ll be swinging that tennis racket for years to come.

Next up: What Does Arthritis Feel Like? 

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