Getting older comes with a few surprises. You wake up one day with an ache in a place you didn’t even know could hurt. Your knees groan when you stand up, and your fingers feel stiff after a long day.
It’s normal to feel occasional discomfort, but if you’ve been dealing with pain for months or even years, it’s not just aging.
In many cases, chronic pain has an underlying cause, and one of the most common culprits is arthritis. Arthritis is a progressive condition that can permanently damage your joints if left untreated. It doesn’t only affect older people; it can develop at any age and worsen over time.
Unlike occasional aches and pains that you can ease with a heating pad or over-the-counter painkillers, arthritis requires specialized treatment to manage pain and prevent further joint damage.
If you suspect arthritis might be the cause of your chronic pain, seeing a specialist is not negotiable.
At SEPA Pain & Spine in southeastern Pennsylvania, our team offers expert diagnosis and treatment to help you manage arthritis effectively and improve your quality of life. Our practice has been established for over 30 years, and our providers have been practicing for 15-20 years.
To know if your chronic pain is actually arthritis, here are five signs to look out for.
Everyone wakes up feeling a little stiff now and then, especially after sleeping in an awkward position or after a strenuous workout. But arthritis-related stiffness lasts an hour or more, particularly in the morning or after you’ve been sitting too long.
With arthritis, it takes a while to get moving, and even simple tasks like gripping a cup or walking down the stairs become challenging.
Pain is the most obvious sign that something isn’t right. Arthritis pain feels like a constant throb, especially in weight-bearing joints like your knees, hips, and lower back. It may start mild but typically becomes more frequent and intense over time.
Some people also describe arthritis pain as a dull, burning sensation deep within the joint.
Arthritis also causes inflammation. You might notice that your joints are swollen, feel warm to the touch, or tender even when you’re inactive. These symptoms develop because arthritis triggers your immune system to attack joint tissues, causing inflammation that leads to pain and stiffness.
If simple movements like bending your knees, reaching overhead, or turning your head feel more challenging than they used to, arthritis could be to blame.
As the condition progresses, the protective cartilage in your joints breaks down, making movement more difficult and painful. You may also notice that your joints feel stiff even after a good stretch.
Over time, you might avoid exercising, playing sports, or even doing everyday tasks like opening jars or climbing stairs.
If your joints snap, crackle, and pop when you move, it could be a sign that arthritis is wearing down the cartilage that cushions them. These sounds, known as crepitus, occur when bones begin rubbing against each other due to cartilage loss.
While occasional joint noises aren’t necessarily a cause for concern, frequent crepitus accompanied by pain or stiffness is a red flag.
If any of these signs sound familiar, don’t ignore them. Arthritis is a progressive condition that worsens if left untreated. The sooner you seek medical care, the better your chances of slowing its progression and maintaining your quality of life.
At SEPA Pain & Spine, we conduct thorough evaluations to determine the severity of your condition and develop a plan that works for you.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation at any of our offices in Horsham, Langhorne, Meadowbrook, Chalfont, East Norriton, or Limerick in southeastern Pennsylvania. You can also request one online here.
