Joint pain: Signs and symptoms

Woman holding wrist

Recognising mechanical joint pain including osteoarthritis

Mechanical joint pain, including osteoarthritis, can lead to significant physical1 and psychosocial2 impact for patients.

Here we review the signs and symptoms of mechanical joint pain to help you identify this disorder.

Woman holding knee

Signs and symptoms of mechanical joint pain

Mechanical joint pain most commonly affects the knees, hips and hands.3

According to NICE, osteoarthritis can be diagnosed clinically without imaging in people who:4

  • Are aged 45 years and over
  • Have activity related joint pain and
  • Have either no morning joint-related stiffness or morning stiffness that lasts no longer than 30 minutes.

  • Identifying osteoarthritis

    To help inform the identification of osteoarthritis consider asking the following questions:5

    • When during the day do you experience joint pain and how long does it last?
    • How quickly has your joint pain or stiffness developed?
    • Do you have hot swollen joints?
    • Have you experienced any fever or unexplained weight loss?
    • Have you had a recent injury?
    • Do you have any other medical conditions?

  • When to refer your patient for further care

    Patients should be referred to a GP if they report:5

    • A joint or limb that looks deformed with associated pain
    • A joint that is too painful to move or cannot bear weight
    • Severe swelling, discolouration, hot to touch or bleeding
    • Persistent joint pain, tenderness or swelling
    • Prolonged or severe morning stiffness (more than 30 minutes in duration)
    • Feeling unwell or fever
    • Tingling or numbness
    • Sudden or severe pain
    • A suspected fracture, dislocation, rupture or other serious injury

  • Further investigations that may be carried out

    NICE guidance does not recommend the routine use of imaging for follow-up or to guide non-surgical management of osteoarthritis. Access the NICE guidance here.4

Understanding joint pain and osteoarthritis

Causes icon

Causes

Find out about the causes of joint pain and osteoarthritis.

Find out more

Management icon

Management

Learn how joint pain and osteoarthritis can be managed.

Find out more

Conditions

Conditions

Our overviews of common pain conditions explore the causes, signs, symptoms and impact of each condition, and summarise the latest evidence-based management recommendations.

Find out more

Learn more

Voltarol Max Strength Pain Relief 2.32% Gel pack

Voltarol Max Strength Pain Relief 2.32% Gel Diclofenac Diethylammonium

All day relief from joint pain - when applied morning and evening.

Learn more

Voltarol Osteoarthritis Joint Pain Relief 1.16% Gel

Voltarol Osteoarthritis Joint Pain Relief 1.16% Gel Diclofenac Diethylammonium

As effective as oral NSAIDs in osteoarthritis.6

Learn more

Patient care resources

Patient care resources

Access resources for your patients.

Learn more