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We are excited to announce that Dr. Padma R. Chimata has been elected as the 2026 President of the Harris County Medical Society West Branch!
Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting about one in five adults in the United States. Although many people assume that joint pain and stiffness are some of the first symptoms to arise, that isn’t necessarily the case. In reality, these symptoms can develop after underlying changes to the joints and surrounding tissues have already begun.
The good news is that if you know which early warning signs to watch out for, you can take steps to slow the progression of arthritis and reduce joint damage.
At Katy Rheumatology & Associates in Katy, Texas, double-board-certified rheumatologist Padma Chimata, MD, FACP, AGS, and our caring team specialize in arthritis treatment. This blog highlights five lesser-known symptoms of arthritis to help you protect your joints and mobility.
Certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cause inflammation in the joints and throughout the body. This system-wide inflammation releases proteins called cytokines, which are known to cause general, flu-like exhaustion.
Because many arthritis patients also have trouble getting comfortable enough to sleep, they may spend hours tossing and turning, which can amplify symptoms of exhaustion. Add this to the mental strain many people already experience, and it’s no wonder that nearly 80% of those with some form of inflammatory arthritis report fatigue.
The older you get, the more likely you are to experience stiffness after waking up. However, most age-related stiffness improves within 10-15 minutes of getting out of bed and starting your day.
If you have arthritis, however, morning stiffness may last 30 minutes or longer and make it difficult to shower, get dressed, or make breakfast. This is especially true if the small joints in your hands or feet are affected.
Don’t wait to get screened if this stiffness makes it hard for you to hold your toothbrush or handle a spatula. Prompt diagnosis can help protect your joints and reduce the risk of further damage.
Several forms of arthritis cause structural damage to your joints, cartilage, and surrounding tissues. This damage isn’t always obvious at first, but it often presents in subtle ways, such as having difficulty opening jars or holding objects in your hands.
Struggling to open a new jar of peanut butter isn’t always a cause for concern, but if this or other similar tasks become increasingly difficult, especially over time, identifying the cause is essential. Because some types of arthritis can cause irreversible damage, ruling out these conditions is key to preserving joint strength and function.
Sometimes, arthritis-related inflammation causes joint tissues to swell and place pressure on nearby nerves. At the same time, overuse injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can develop alongside arthritis, leading to numbness, tingling, or burning, especially in the arms, legs, hands, or feet.
Because numbness and tingling can also point to neuropathy (nerve damage), a proper evaluation is important. Quickly diagnosing the underlying issue and developing a treatment plan can help reduce the risk of complications so you can move more comfortably.
Do your knuckles and wrists pop, click, or make grinding noises every time you pick up a utensil or do other regular tasks? It can be tempting to pass off these symptoms as signs of normal aging, but they can also point to cartilage breakdown or underlying joint changes.
Diagnostic imaging tests — such as X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI — can help assess your joints and surrounding tissues and identify signs of arthritis or other structural problems.
If you’re experiencing any of these surprising signs of arthritis, don’t wait to schedule an exam with Dr. Chimata. This is particularly true if your symptoms started more than two weeks ago and you haven’t seen any improvement from rest, activity changes, or taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.
Because certain types of arthritis can cause permanent joint damage, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Prompt diagnosis and individualized treatment can alleviate your symptoms, help slow disease progression, and provide peace of mind.
Worrying about medical issues, such as arthritis, can drain your energy and keep you from the activities you love. But a quick in-office evaluation can identify the cause of your symptoms and determine the best treatment approach — and get you back to your active life.
We’re here to help: Call or click online to schedule your appointment with our team at Katy Rheumatology & Associates in Katy, Texas, today.
