Joint Problems

Pain, swelling, or tenderness in one or more joints may be a warning sign of arthritis. 

 Common symptoms of soft tissue joint conditions include:

• Swelling
• Aching or pain in the affected area, which often gets worse with activity, reaching, or at night. This may make it hard to sleep on the painful side.
• Stiffness or less ability to move the joint
• Tenderness around the joint 

Specific symptoms for common muscle and joint problems 

Osteoarthritis (OA)

• Joint pain that gets worse with activity or when putting weight on the joint
• Morning stiffness that lasts less than 30 minutes
• Hard or bony swelling around the joint
• A grinding or crackling feeling with movement
• Reduced range of motion
• Pain that may spread and get worse after sitting or standing for a long time

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

• Warm, swollen, tender joints
• The same joints affected on both sides of the body
• Morning stiffness that lasts a long time
• Fatigue, low energy, or feeling unwell
• Weak grip or trouble using the hands

Gout/Pseudogout

• Sudden, severe pain in a one joint (often the big toe or knee)
• Redness, warmth, and swelling around the joint
• Skin over the joint that looks shiny or feels tight
• Pain that is often worst during the first 12–24 hours

Symptoms of Mechanical and Soft-Tissue Musculoskeletal Conditions

Fibromyalgia

• Widespread muscle pain and tenderness
• Fatigue and low energy
• Sleep problems
• Trouble thinking clearly (“brain fog”)
• Sensitivity to touch, pressure, or temperature
• Symptoms that change from day to day

Tendinitis 

• Pain when moving the affected tendon
• Pain that gets worse with lifting, pulling, gripping, or certain movements
• Tenderness along the tendon
• Pain that may spread down the arm or leg
• Stiffness after resting

Rotator Cuff Syndrome

• Shoulder pain that gets worse when lifting the arm, reaching overhead, or lying on the painful side
• Pain when raising the arm between about 45° and 120°
• Weakness when lifting or turning the arm
• Pain that may spread from the shoulder down to the elbow

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

• Severe stiffness and limited movement of the shoulder
• Shoulder pain, often worse at night
• Trouble reaching overhead or behind the back
• Gradual loss of movement that can last for months

Bursitis

Symptoms depend on the location but often include:

• Swelling over the affected joint (such as the knee, elbow, shoulder, or hip)
• Pain when pressing on the area or with certain movements
• Warmth or tenderness in one spot
• Pain when lying on the affected side (with hip or shoulder bursitis)
• Sharp pain when kneeling (with bursitis in front of the knee)

Last Updated April 2026