What Does Arthritis Pain Feel Like?

Do you often notice pains in your joints? Could it be arthritis?

Estimates indicate that about 53 million Americans are diagnosed with arthritis each year. While joint pain is a common symptom, the exact feeling of arthritis can vary from person to person. For some, it may be dull or throbbing, while for others it may feel like a sharp pain.

To help you out, we asked board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Kane III to share more about arthritis pain, what causes it, and when it's time to seek care.

How arthritis causes pain

Arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 different conditions that affect the joints. However, the most common types—affecting millions of people worldwide—are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is typically caused by wear and tear over time and is most commonly found in adults who are quite active or as a result of aging joints. You might also hear grinding or popping sounds in the joint, which indicates cartilage deterioration.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that frequently occurs alongside other autoimmune disorders, including celiac disease. The pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis often tends to be symmetrical, affecting the same joints on both sides of the body, and may be accompanied by fatigue or a mild fever.

Notice when pain flares up

Both types of arthritis tend to worsen with certain triggers. With osteoarthritis, pain intensifies when friction increases. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system plays a major role in the pain.

For people with osteoarthritis, flare-ups often follow:

• Extended periods of activity (like walking or standing too long)
• Cold or damp weather
• Weight gain (which adds pressure on the joints)

For those with rheumatoid arthritis, flare-ups can be triggered by:

• Stress
• Infections
• Hormonal changes
• Certain foods (gluten and dairy are the most common triggers)

Keeping a diary of when pain flares up and when it dwindles enables you to find patterns, helping you take steps toward managing your symptoms and avoiding unnecessary pain.

Treat your arthritis pain with us

Left untreated, arthritis doesn’t just cause pain—it also further damages your joints, which can lead to a loss of strength, mobility, and the ability to perform everyday tasks like walking or climbing stairs, even sleeping.

Some of the non-invasive treatments offered include:

Oral anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), like Ibuprofen or prescription medication.

• Physical therapy to preserve strength and mobility 
• Viscosupplementation (an injection that lubricates joints, enabling smoother, pain-free movements)
• Steroid injections to reduce inflammation and relieve pain
• DMARDs for rheumatoid arthritis 
• A supervised weight loss program to decrease stress on affected joints.

If conservative treatments don’t offer enough relief, Dr. Kane may recommend surgical options such as joint preservation procedures or partial and total joint replacement surgeries.

Don’t let pain slow you down. Get answers about what’s causing it by contacting us to schedule an appointment at our office in Honolulu, Hawaii.