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The symptoms of osteoarthritis come on gradually, sometimes over many years.

Once a joint that has osteoarthritis causes symptoms, it means it can't do its job properly. It can no longer move smoothly without feeling stiff or causing pain.

You may have pain most days. It may be brought on by using your joint or it may be with you all the time. It may be mild or it may be severe. The pain can be burning, aching or sharp. People with osteoarthritis sometimes say their joints hurt and they want to rub them to make them feel better. Osteoarthritis can get better as well as worse, and you may find that your pain improves with time.¹

People who manage to exercise and see their friends and family tend to feel less pain than people who are inactive and feel socially isolated. Pain has a psychological as well as a physical side, and if you feel more in control of your condition, then you are likely to cope with the pain better.

If your arthritis does get worse, it may keep you awake at night. Night pain indicates more severe osteoarthritis.²

Stiffness is a common symptom of osteoarthritis. Typically you feel stiff first thing in the morning and it eases as you begin to move about, usually within 30 minutes. You may also feel stiff if you are sitting still in one position.

If you have osteoarthritis, you may find you have problems doing everyday things like climbing stairs, reaching a high shelf, combing your hair or tying your shoelace. Unlike stiffness, your difficulty in moving doesn't wear off. You may find you can't get your joint to move like it used to and that you become less mobile.

Your joint may look and feel swollen.

Doctors call this crepitus. It's the unpleasant feeling of the bones crunching together. It can sometimes hurt.

Your knee or fingers may feel and look knobby.

Muscle weakness around the joint is one the symptoms of osteoarthritis, particularly in osteoarthritis of the knee and especially in women.

If you have osteoarthritis of the knee, you may feel as though your knee is unstable, as though it might give way at any time. This can make going down stairs difficult.