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 |