10 Telltale Symptoms of Joint Inflammation

Inflammation is one of the ways the immune system fights off invaders. However, in certain cases, inflammation lingers way after an issue has been resolved, and it can also appear spontaneously due to an autoimmune disease or occur after an injury. 

Joint inflammation is usually a consequence of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the joints. 

Below, we asked Dr. Aashish Jay Kumar, our expert at Spine & Pain Specialists of the Carolinas, to share the 10 most common signs that could indicate joint inflammation. 

1. Chronic joint pain

Pain that doesn’t resolve with rest could be a sign of inflammation. Inflammation is present when there’s wear-and-tear in a joint or if the joint lining is damaged by arthritis. Pain caused by arthritis is usually worse in the morning and after prolonged periods of rest. 

2. Limited range of motion

Movement can reduce inflammation. However, if your joints are inflamed, you may experience stiffness, which can make it more difficult to stay active. 

For stiff joints, aquatic therapy usually works best because it enables you to stay active without putting pressure on your joints. 

3. Stiffness 

Do you wake up with your joints feeling locked for the first hour in the morning? Or perhaps your joints become stiffer as temperatures drop? If so, it could be arthritis. 

4. Swelling 

During the inflammatory process, white blood cells are called to the injury site to fight invaders. The white blood cells often produce substances that cause swelling. 

5. Redness

Redness is a consequence of increased blood flow. Because inflammation is a defense mechanism, the blood flow increases at the inflammation site to bring more oxygen and healing factors via the blood. 

6. Enlarged joint 

Swelling makes the joint look larger. Aside from inflammation, the joint may also appear enlarged due to uric acid deposits caused by gout. 

7. Weight loss 

If the source of your inflammation is due to arthritis, you may experience some weight loss because inflammation is often accompanied by a decrease in appetite, especially if you’re feeling feverish. 

8. Joint warmth 

As a consequence of increased blood flow to the inflammation site, the area will feel warmer. This symptom is often accompanied by swelling and redness. 

9. Fatigue 

As a consequence of fever and inflammation, you may also experience chronic fatigue. 

10. Slight fever 

Inflammation is often accompanied by fever. In the case of chronic inflammation, the fever is only slightly elevated, as the body cannot sustain prolonged periods of high fever. 

Manage your joint inflammation 

A constant state of inflammation can be physically and mentally stressful. Fortunately, some treatments can reduce the dysfunctional immune response and slow the damage in your joints. 

Contact us to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you determine the cause of your symptoms and provide the best way to manage your inflammation.