Your Guide to Identifying Arthritis: Symptoms, Types, and Next Steps
Learn how to identify arthritis with this comprehensive guide. Discover the common symptoms, types, diagnosis methods, and when to seek medical help.
Written by Dr. Rohinipriyanka Pondugula
Reviewed by Dr. J T Hema Pratima MBBS
Last updated on 11th Sep, 2025
Introduction
That occasional ache in your knee after a long walk or a slight stiffness in your fingers in the morning – is it just a sign of getting older, or could it be arthritis? Arthritis is a pervasive condition affecting millions worldwide, but its vague early signs often lead to confusion and delayed diagnosis. Understanding how to identify arthritis is the critical first step towards managing it effectively and maintaining your quality of life.
This guide will help you recognise the key symptoms, distinguish between the most common types like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and explain the diagnostic process. We will also walk you through the crucial next steps to take if you suspect your joint pain might be more than just everyday wear and tear. Knowing what to look for empowers you to seek the right help at the right time.
What is Arthritis? More Than Just Joint Pain
Many people use the term "arthritis" to describe general joint pain, but it is actually an umbrella term for over 100 different conditions that affect the joints, the tissues around the joints, and other connective tissues. The common thread is inflammation, which leads to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
It is not just an "old person’s disease"; it can affect people of all ages, sexes, and ethnicities. While the most familiar symptoms involve the joints, some forms of arthritis can also impact other organs like the skin, eyes, heart, and lungs. Recognising that arthritis is a complex group of diseases, not a single ailment, is fundamental to understanding your symptoms and getting an accurate diagnosis.
The Two Most Common Types: OA vs. RA
While there are many forms, two types account for the majority of diagnoses: Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. They are fundamentally different diseases.
Osteoarthritis (OA): The "Wear-and-Tear" Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. Think of this cartilage as the shock absorber in your car—after enough miles, it naturally deteriorates. This leads to bone grinding on bone, causing pain, swelling, and reduced motion. It most commonly affects joints in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. The symptoms of osteoarthritis typically develop slowly and worsen over time, often related to activity.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): The Autoimmune Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. This means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, primarily the synovium—the lining of the membranes that surround the joints. This attack causes painful swelling that can eventually lead to bone erosion and joint deformity. Unlike OA, RA often affects joints symmetrically (both wrists, both knees, etc.). It’s a systemic disease, so it can cause fatigue, fever, and affect other organs. The early signs of rheumatoid arthritis often include morning stiffness that lasts for more than 30 minutes.
Other Forms of Arthritis to Know
Beyond OA and RA, there are other important forms of arthritis worth knowing:
- Psoriatic Arthritis: Linked to the skin condition psoriasis, causing joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
- Gout: Characterised by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness, often in the joint at the base of the big toe. It's caused by uric acid crystal deposits.
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): The most common type in children, causing persistent joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Consult Top Rheumatologists
How to Identify Arthritis: The Key Signs and Symptoms
Identifying arthritis early can significantly improve long-term outcomes. While symptoms vary by type, there are common warning signs.
Common Symptoms Across Most Types
- Joint Pain: Persistent pain in one or more joints that doesn't go away after a few days.
- Stiffness: Especially notable in the morning or after a period of inactivity. In inflammatory types like RA, this morning stiffness often lasts longer than 30 minutes.
- Swelling: The skin around the joint may appear red, feel warm to the touch, and be visibly puffy or swollen.
- Decreased Range of Motion: Finding it difficult to move a joint through its full normal range of motion.
- Tenderness: The joint is tender or painful when you apply light pressure to or near it.
Red Flag Symptoms That Need Immediate Attention
Certain symptoms require prompt medical evaluation. If you experience joint symptoms accompanied by a fever, unexplained weight loss, or a general feeling of being unwell, it could indicate a systemic inflammatory condition like RA. Similarly, if a joint is suddenly hot, red, and excruciatingly painful, it could be a sign of gout or an infection, which needs immediate treatment.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Arthritis?
If you're experiencing persistent symptoms, a doctor will use a multi-step process to diagnose the specific type of arthritis.
Step 1: The Medical History and Physical Exam
Your doctor will start by asking detailed questions about your symptoms: their location, intensity, duration, and what makes them better or worse. They will also perform a physical exam to check for swelling, warmth, tenderness, and range of motion in your joints. This helps differentiate between arthritis and rheumatism or other soft tissue problems.
Step 2: Imaging Tests (Seeing the Damage)
X-rays: Can reveal loss of cartilage, bone spurs, and bone damage, which are classic signs of osteoarthritis.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Provides more detailed cross-sectional images of soft tissues like cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, helping to detect early changes.
Step 3: Laboratory Tests (Looking for Clues)
- Blood tests are crucial, especially for diagnosing autoimmune forms of arthritis.
- Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Anti-CCP Antibody: These are key markers for RA.
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP): These test for general levels of inflammation in the body.
Uric Acid Test: High levels can confirm a diagnosis of gout.
If your condition is complex, your primary care doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist, a specialist for joint pain and autoimmune diseases. For a convenient and thorough evaluation, you can consult a rheumatologist online with Apollo24|7 to discuss your symptoms and determine if you need further testing.
Consult Top Rheumatologists
What to Do If You Suspect You Have Arthritis
If you think you may have arthritis, here are some practical steps to follow:
- Don't Self-Diagnose: While online resources are helpful, only a doctor can provide an accurate diagnosis.
- Track Your Symptoms: Keep a journal for a week noting your pain levels, stiffness duration, which joints are affected, and anytriggers.
- Schedule a Consultation: Start with your primary care physician. If symptoms persist beyond two weeks, consult a doctor online with Apollo24|7 for an initial evaluation. They can guide you on the next steps, which may include getting lab tests. Apollo24|7 offers convenient home collection for tests like CRP, ESR, Rheumatoid Factor, and Uric Acid, making the process seamless.
- Manage Symptoms While You Wait: Apply ice for acute swelling or heat for stiffness. Gentle movement can help maintain mobility.
Conclusion
Learning how to identify arthritis is about connecting the dots between persistent, unexplained joint symptoms and understanding that they could signal an underlying condition. Ignoring morning stiffness, persistent aches, or swelling can allow the problem to progress, making future management more challenging.
By recognising the common signs – and the critical differences between types like OA and RA – you are empowered to take proactive steps towards your health. Remember, a diagnosis is not an endpoint; it is the beginning of a managed journey. With today’s advanced treatments and lifestyle strategies, most people with arthritis lead full, active lives. The most important step is the first one: listening to your body and seeking professional guidance.
If your condition does not improve after trying basic rest and over-the-counter pain relief, book a physical visit to a doctor with Apollo24|7 for a comprehensive evaluation and personalised treatment plan.
Consult Top Rheumatologists
Consult Top Rheumatologists
Dr. Anand Ravi
General Physician
2 Years • MBBS
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Dr. Zulkarnain
General Physician
2 Years • MBBS, PGDM, FFM
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Dr. Brig K Shanmuganandan
Rheumatologist
20 Years • MBBS, MD (Med.), DNB (Med.), Fellow (Rheuma.)
Chennai
Apollo Hospitals Greams Road, Chennai
(450+ Patients)
Dr. Tanmaya Kumar Sahu
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
12 Years • MBBS, MD ( Internal Medicine )
Bhubaneswar
Apollo Hospitals Old Sainik School Road, Bhubaneswar
Dr. Sundeep Kumar Upadhyaya
Rheumatologist
30 Years • MBBS, MD, DM
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
(225+ Patients)
Consult Top Rheumatologists
Dr. Anand Ravi
General Physician
2 Years • MBBS
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Dr. Zulkarnain
General Physician
2 Years • MBBS, PGDM, FFM
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Dr. Brig K Shanmuganandan
Rheumatologist
20 Years • MBBS, MD (Med.), DNB (Med.), Fellow (Rheuma.)
Chennai
Apollo Hospitals Greams Road, Chennai
(450+ Patients)
Dr. Tanmaya Kumar Sahu
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
12 Years • MBBS, MD ( Internal Medicine )
Bhubaneswar
Apollo Hospitals Old Sainik School Road, Bhubaneswar
Dr. Sundeep Kumar Upadhyaya
Rheumatologist
30 Years • MBBS, MD, DM
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
(225+ Patients)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the very first signs of arthritis?
The earliest signs are often subtle and can include minor joint pain that comes and goes, slight stiffness in the morning that resolves quickly, and a feeling of tenderness or warmth in a joint after use.
Can you test for arthritis at home?
There is no reliable, definitive test for arthritis at home. While you can identify symptoms, a proper diagnosis requires a physical exam and clinical tests by a doctor to determine the type and extent of the condition.
What is the difference between arthritis and regular joint pain?
Regular joint pain is often acute, caused by a specific injury or overuse, and resolves with rest and time. Arthritis pain is chronic, persistent, and often accompanied by other symptoms like swelling, stiffness, and redness without a recent injury.
What is the best doctor to see for arthritis?
You can start with your primary care physician. For complex or inflammatory types like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, they will likely refer you to a rheumatologist, a specialist in autoimmune and joint disorders.
Are there natural remedies for an arthritis flare-up?
While not a substitute for medical treatment, some find relief during a flare-up of arthritis symptoms with rest, applying heat or ice packs, gentle stretching, and anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric and ginger. Always discuss these with your doctor.