One of the least favorite things about arthritis is swelling near the affected joint. In other words, the swelling results from the excessive fluid stuck in the connective tissues near the joint, the so-called “joint effusion.” This symptom is also revealed, especially in inflammatory types of arthritis, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis or gout. In some cases, it may be noticed that this swollen area has a puffy look because the part where the skin gets attached over the joint is very much stretched or extremely shiny.
Apart from the swelling, the skin might get warm and red, indicating inflammation. These may occur suddenly, thus causing concern to individuals. Sometimes, the swelling might be so serious that movement is limited, which makes moving around and stretching up very hard.
Another factor is the duration of the time the swollen area remains swollen. There are instances when a patient may feel swollen for a day or two, only to disappear after a few days. Some patients, however, may live in continuous days of swelling. If not treated properly, chronic swelling can be a very common issue. It is especially true with rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system creates inflammation during its assaults on joint tissues.
