Osteoarthritis Symptoms by Joint

Knee Osteoarthritis:
Symptoms may include:

• Pain when bearing weight
• Stiffness and instability in the leg
• The knee “giving out”
• Crunching or clicking noises when bending or straightening the knee, particularly in the early stages of cartilage changes
• Difficulty with activities like climbing stairs, squatting, sitting on your knees, or getting up from sitting

In advanced cases, OA of the knee may cause deformities like “knock-knees” or “bowed-legs.”

Hip Osteoarthritis:
Pain may be felt in:

• The outer hip area or deep into the groin, where the hip joint sits
• Inside or outside the thigh, or even down the leg
• Sometimes, the pain may be more pronounced in the thigh or knee rather than the hip itself

Hip OA often results in decreased joint mobility, making everyday activities like getting in and out of a car or putting on socks more difficult. It can also shorten your step length, and you may find yourself bending forward when walking due to difficulty straightening your hips.

Hand Osteoarthritis:
OA can affect the end of the fingers and the base of the thumb, causing:

• Stiffness and tenderness in the fingers
• Lumps or minor deformities in the joints
• Weakness in the hand muscles, making it harder to clench your fist, carry heavy items, write, or use tools like scissors