Are You at Risk for Osteoarthritis?

There are more than 100 types of arthritis, which strikes 1 in 5 Americans.  The most common type is osteoarthritis, whose symptoms — joint pain or stiffness, joint swelling, loss of mobility — usually begin during a person's 40s or 50s.

The following questions are designed to determine whether you are exhibiting the signs of osteoarthritis. Answer as best as you can with a yes or no response.

1. Are you 45 or older?      

2. Has a doctor ever told you that you have arthritis?

3. During the past 12 months, have you had pain, aching, stiffness or swelling in or around a joint?

4. In a typical month, have you had pain, aching, stiffness or swelling in or around a joint on a daily basis, for at least half of the days in that month?

5. Do you have pain in your knee or hip when climbing stairs or walking two or three blocks (roughly one-quarter of a mile) on flat ground?

6. Do you have daily pain or stiffness in your hand joints?

7. Are you now limited in any way in any activities because of joint symptoms (pain, aching, stiffness, loss of motion)?

8. Because of joint symptoms, do you have difficulty dressing yourself, tying shoelaces and/or securing buttons?

9. Because of joint symptoms, do you have difficulty standing up from a seated position in an armless, straight chair? 

10. Because of joint symptoms, do you have difficulty getting into and out of a car?

Assessing your risk

• If you answered yes to zero or one question, you don't appear to be exhibiting any serious symptoms of osteoarthritis as they are assessed by this quiz. However, if you have concerns about joint pain, or if you ever experience joint pain for two weeks or more, contact your physician.

• If you answered yes to two questions, you appear to be exhibiting a few symptoms that may be arthritis, or something else. You can use your quiz results to discuss these symptoms with your doctor at your next visit or annual check-up.
  
  
• If you answered yes to three or more questions, you may benefit from seeing a health care professional and should consider calling for an evaluation.

Learn more about osteoarthritis by visiting the Arthritis Foundation at fightarthritispain.org.