Archive · 25 Jun 2025
Arthritis: Early Signs Beyond Joint Pain
Arthritis occurs when the cartilage in your joints wears down or becomes inflamed.
This can make it difficult to move.
Early signs might include trouble bending your knees or closing your fist, feeling tired, or having shortness of breath.
Sometimes, you might also experience dry eyes.
High fever can also be a sign.
It's important to see a doctor if you notice these signs.
Arthritis develops when cartilage cushioning bones malfunctions.
Early signs include decreased range of motion and fatigue.
Breathlessness can be an early sign, particularly with rheumatoid arthritis.
Dry eyes, swelling, and inflammation may indicate rheumatoid arthritis.
High fever can occur in some inflammatory arthritis forms.
- Who
- People experiencing or at risk of arthritis.
- What
- Early signs of arthritis.
- When
- Early signs can appear before joint pain.
- Where
- N/A
- Why
- To identify early signs and seek medical attention.
- Main Issue
- Arthritis
- Cause
- Cartilage breakdown or inflammation
- Early Signs
- Decreased range of motion, fatigue, breathlessness, dry eyes, fever
- Common Association
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Global Impact
- Affects ~600 million people