Which describes a red flag in osteoarthritis during exercise?

Which describes a red flag in osteoarthritis during exercise?

• A. Pain decreases with rest
• B. Sudden increase in joint swelling
• C. Pain-free movement
• D. No swelling

Answer: (B)

In osteoarthritis, exercise is usually safe and beneficial, but a sudden rise in swelling is a red flag. That quick increase in joint swelling isn’t typical of a normal OA response to activity and can indicate an acute intra-articular problem such as an inflammatory flare, infection, or injury inside the joint. When this happens, stop exercising and assess the joint for warmth, redness, fever, or severe pain. If swelling persists, or if you have fever or warmth, seek medical evaluation promptly. The other scenarios describe more typical or benign responses in OA (pain that improves with rest, pain-free movement, or no swelling), which do not signal an urgent problem.

In osteoarthritis, exercise is usually safe and beneficial, but a sudden rise in swelling is a red flag. That quick increase in joint swelling isn’t typical of a normal OA response to activity and can indicate an acute intra-articular problem such as an inflammatory flare, infection, or injury inside the joint. When this happens, stop exercising and assess the joint for warmth, redness, fever, or severe pain. If swelling persists, or if you have fever or warmth, seek medical evaluation promptly. The other scenarios describe more typical or benign responses in OA (pain that improves with rest, pain-free movement, or no swelling), which do not signal an urgent problem.