Table 2 Description of Arthritis symptoms
Category | Descriptors |
|---|---|
Symptoms | Pain |
Joint Swelling | |
Stiffness or “locking of limbs” | |
Fatigue | |
Weakness (e.g. in hands) | |
Erythema of affected joint | |
Locations | Knees |
Fingers | |
Wrists | |
Ankles | |
Feet | |
Hips | |
Shoulders | |
Elbows | |
“virtually every joint” | |
“places where I had old injuries” | |
Onset/Course of arthritis | Very acute |
Gradual worsening over months, even after treatment ended | |
Progressive | |
Migratory | |
Descriptors of Pain | Intense |
Horrible | |
Inflamed | |
Aggravating factors | Worse in dominant hand |
Morning (worse for stiffness) | |
Fatigue worse as day goes on | |
Exercise | |
Cold weather | |
Alleviating factors | Better when distracted |
Ice | |
`Medicine (NSAIDs, prednisone, DMARDs) | |
Hot shower |