7 Early Signs of Osteoarthritis You Shouldn’t Ignore After 45

Key Takeaways

• Osteoarthritis symptoms can often develop gradually and worsen over time, making early detection very important.¹
• Common early signs of osteoarthritis include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced flexibility.¹
• Symptoms may feel mild at first, starting as early as your 30s or 40s, but can progress into more serious chronic pain and mobility limitations if ignored.²

What is Osteoarthritis and Why Can Symptoms Start After 45?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and it occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones breaks down over time.¹

While the term “arthritis” is often associated with older adults, early symptoms can actually begin much sooner, especially for those who have experienced things like joint injuries, repetitive stress, or experience natural wear and tear from daily movement.

Osteoarthritis can damage any joint, but is most commonly found in the hands, knees, hips and spine. Symptoms may also include hip pain that radiates into the groin, thigh, or buttocks.^2,3 Although joint damage caused by osteoarthritis can’t be reversed, daily practices like staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and receiving certain treatments can help improve joint pain.³ If you’re noticing symptoms, taking action early – including the use of targeted pain relief options – can help you stay active and manage discomfort.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

Because symptoms of osteoarthritis tend to develop slowly, many may dismiss early warning signs as part of the normal aging process. Recognizing them early can help you take action before joint damage can progress. Here are 7 signs that you shouldn’t ignore if you suspect you may have osteoarthritis, no matter your age.

1. Joint Pain During or After Movement

One of the earliest and most common signs of osteoarthritis is pain in a joint during or after activity. You may notice discomfort after:

• Workouts
• Long walks
• After daily tasks that involve moving the body^1,3

There may be a sense of stiffness or tenderness, or you may start to find that you may not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion as you continue through your activity.¹

2. Morning Stiffness or Stiffness After Rest

Another common sign is joint stiffness or body stiffness after a long period of rest, including sleep.² If you feel your joints are stiff when you wake up or after sitting for long periods, it could be an early indicator of osteoarthritis.

The feeling generally:

• Lasts less than 30 minutes²
• Improves once you begin regular movement²

Some people may also experience stiffness in hands and fingers, especially in the morning. Developing a morning routine for arthritis relief may be useful if you’re experiencing these symptoms.

3. Tenderness When Pressing on a Joint

Early osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis can make joints feel sensitive to touch.

• Discomfort when applying pressure to, or near the site¹
• Pain is generally localized around the joint¹

If you have a significant amount of pain around your joints, it could be an indicator that your lifestyle is less active. Muscle weakness caused by inactivity leads to more stress on the joint, which can cause osteoarthritis to progress more quickly in terms of pain, swelling, and loss of motion.²

4. Reduced Flexibility and Range of Motion

If you begin developing osteoarthritis, you may start noticing that your joints don’t move as easily as they used to.

There may be difficulty:

• Bending
• Stretching
• Rotating the joints

This can cause them to feel “tight” during certain movements.¹

Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones in the joints gradually wears away. Cartilage is the firm, slippery tissue that allows nearly frictionless joint motion, so naturally, when that barrier is removed there may be more difficulty with movement.¹

5. Grinding, Popping, or Cracking Sensations

A more overlooked sign of osteoarthritis is a grating or cracking feeling during movement.¹

• Often described as a “bone-on-bone” sensation
• Most common in knees, hips, and hands

While this sign may be subtle, it’s important to pay attention to.

6. Swelling Around the Joint

Inflammation near or around the soft tissue may cause visible or subtle swelling around the joint.¹

This symptom often occurs after certain amounts of activity like:

• Endurance exercises
• Resistance training
• Walking
• Other types of training

In the early stages of osteoarthritis, the swelling may come and go, increasing more with age and amount of movement.

7. Joint Instability or Weakness

Some people say that their joints feel less stable or may “give way” more often.

When walking or standing it’s possible you may:

• Feel weakness in the muscles and joints in and around the knees
• Experience a buckling sensation which causes a fall, susceptible to further injury

While this experience is most frequently felt in the knees which bear the most weight, it can also happen in other joints.

Why These Symptoms Matter After 45

Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, meaning symptoms often worsen over time if left unmanaged. Joint damage develops gradually over years, with pain and stiffness beginning subtly and becoming more severe.²

Learning how to catch symptoms early gives you the opportunity to not only maintain joint mobility, but stay active for longer, and potentially reduce long-term discomfort.

Managing Early Osteoarthritis Symptoms

While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, early action can help to slow progression and manage discomfort.

Approach the situation with care by:

• Staying active with low-impact exercise
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Working with a healthcare provider on a treatment plan
• Working to manage stress

See a doctor if joint stiffness or pain:

• Doesn’t go away
• Gets worse over time
• Begins interfering with daily activities

For more immediate relief of joint pain, you may consider trying Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel. This over-the-counter, non-steroidal topical pain reliever is clinically proven and has been trusted by doctors and patients in the U.S. for over 10 years. By recognizing the early signs and taking action, you can better manage your joint pain and continue doing the things you enjoy.

Source Citations:

1. Osteoarthritis – Symptoms & Causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925. Accessed. 3/27/26.

2. Osteoarthritis Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors. National Institute of Health. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis. Accessed 3/27/26.

3. 5 Signs You May Have Osteoarthritis. Yale New Haven Health. https://www.ynhhs.org/articles/5-signs-you-may-have-osteoarthritis. Accessed 3/27/26.