Stiffness

• It may be hard to move a particular joint at all. This usually starts in just one joint and then spreads to other joints, and is usually worse right after waking from sleep and when it's very cold.
  
  

Pain

• Pain may or may not accompany stiffness in the joints. This also is usually worse after waking from sleep or after a long period of rest.
  
  

Grating Sensation

• This generally feels more peculiar than actually painful. For example, if the degenerative arthritis is in your hand, it feels as if two bones are rubbing together when you move your hand.
  
  

Swelling

• The affected joint may swell up, which also worsens any pain, tenderness or stiffness. The swelling is generally worse after waking up from sleep.
  
  

Bone Spurs

• Surrounding the painful and stiff joint will be tiny lumps under the skin. These are bone spurs and need to be seen by a doctor promptly.