Pain is one way the body signals that something is wrong. Joint pain can range from slight discomfort or tenderness to pain so severe it interferes with movement and causes visible joint deformity. Medical evaluation is the only way to determine if arthritis is causing the pain. Different types cause pain in different parts of the body. If the joint pain occurs mainly in the hands, for example, the physician will examine the knuckles, tip joints, and middle joints and determine how far from the joint the pain radiates. Evaluating the range of motion provides additional clues as to the type of arthritis.

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