What would you expect to find on physical examination of a patient with osteoarthritis?

In a patient with osteoarthritis, physical examination findings typically include crepitus, joint effusion, and limited range of motion.

Crepitus refers to the characteristic grinding or crackling sound that occurs with joint movement due to the roughened surfaces of the articular cartilage. As arthritis progresses, it can lead to the formation of osteophytes (bone spurs) and changes in the joint structure that contribute to this symptom.

Joint effusion, which is the accumulation of excess fluid in the joint space, may also be present, particularly in weight-bearing joints such as the knee. It can occur due to inflammation or damage to the joint structure.

Limited range of motion is another hallmark of osteoarthritis, as the damage to cartilage and changes in the underlying bone can make joint movement painful and restricted.

In contrast, morning stiffness lasting more than an hour is more indicative of inflammatory arthritides, like rheumatoid arthritis, rather than the mechanical pain typically seen in osteoarthritis. Ulnar deviation is a sign associated with rheumatoid arthritis, reflecting joint deformities due to severe chronic inflammation. Finally, swollen, tender, and warm joints are classic features of inflammatory arthritis, not osteoarthritis, which typically presents with pain and stiffness without significant warmth or swelling in