Where do symptoms of osteoarthritis typically appear?
Although OA can occur in any joint, most often it occurs in the following areas: • Fingers. OA of the fingers is often hereditary, meaning it runs in families. Fingers may ache or be stiff and numb. The base of the thumb joint is commonly affected. Fingers can become enlarged and gnarled. Small, bony knobs (called Heberden’s nodes) may also appear on the end joints of the fingers. Similar knobs (called Bouchard’s nodes) can appear on the middle joints of the fingers. More women than men have OA of their fingers. Women become especially susceptible to OA after menopause. • Knees. Because knees are primary weight-bearing joints, they are very commonly affected by OA. They may be stiff, swollen, and painful, making it hard to walk, climb, and get in and out of chairs and bathtubs. • Hip. OA in the hip can cause pain, stiffness, and severe disability. In addition to your hip, you may feel the pain in your groin, inner thigh, or knees. This can lead to difficulty moving, bending, and walkin
