The most common symptoms that indicate that you may be developing degenerative joint disease include pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in the joints. Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease that progresses from stage 0 to stage 4, with 4 being the most severe. In the initial stages, rest can reduce the symptoms of the disease. However, as the disease progresses, the symptoms are manifested more rapidly and aggressively, requiring immediate medical attention.
While not all initial stages necessarily progress to the more severe stages, there are symptoms that will indicate that you need to get immediate diagnosis from a specialist. These symptoms include:
- Formation of bone spurs around the affected joints
- Grating sensations while using the joints
- Severe pain in the joints
- Loss of flexibility
- Limited range of movement
- Severe inflammation
- Deformed joints
