You wake up stiff every morning, but you’re only 42. First, you chalk it up to sleeping in an uncomfortable position or maybe working too hard at the gym. As the weeks go by, the stiffness lingers, and now your fingers are swollen, your knees ache and you’re constantly tired. Could it really just be aging?
Joint pain is often seen as a natural part of getting older. However, in some cases, it’s not. For many people, persistent joint pain could be a sign of something more serious: an autoimmune disease.
“In the last two years, I’ve been diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica and limited systemic sclerosis (a type of scleroderma)—two conditions that cause extreme joint pain among other symptoms,” says April Bryan*, a 61-year-old woman in Knoxville, Tennessee. “At first, I thought the symptoms were just normal signs of aging. But then I’d wake up stiff, both shoulders and hips would hurt, I was exhausted all the time, and I realized something more serious was going on.”
Understanding autoimmune diseases and joint pain
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system—your body’s defense against illness—mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. Instead of protecting you, it turns on you, causing inflammation and damage in various parts of the body.
When autoimmune diseases target the joints, they can cause pain, swelling, stiffness and even long-term damage. This happens because the immune system sees the joint lining as a threat and launches an attack, leading to chronic inflammation.
Several autoimmune diseases are known for causing joint pain, including:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA causes symmetrical joint pain, especially in the hands, wrists and knees.
- Lupus: Lupus is a systemic condition that can affect your joints, skin, kidneys and more.
- Psoriatic arthritis: Often linked with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes joint pain and skin and nail problems.
- Scleroderma: Also known as systemic sclerosis, this rare disease leads to hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues, including joints.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR): PMR is an inflammatory disorder that involves pain and stiffness in the shoulders and hips.
5 signs joint pain might be more than just aging
So how can you tell if your joint pain is more than just wear and tear? Here are some red flags that may point to an autoimmune cause:
- Symmetrical joint pain: If both wrists, knees or hands hurt at the same time, it’s a hallmark of autoimmune joint disease like rheumatoid arthritis. Other types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, usually affects only one side.
- Morning stiffness that lasts: Some stiffness in your joints when you wake up in the morning is normal. But if your joints are stiff for more than 30 minutes, or even hours, it could be a sign of inflammation, not aging.
- Swelling, redness or warmth: Inflamed joints often appear swollen and red and feel warm to the touch. This is your immune system at work, but in the wrong way.
- Fatigue, low-grade fever or rashes: Autoimmune diseases don’t just affect joints. They can cause whole-body symptoms like fatigue, mild fevers or unexplained rashes. These signs often go overlooked but are important clues.
- Family history: If autoimmune diseases run in your family, your risk is higher. Conditions like RA, lupus and thyroid disorders often have genetic components.
Why early diagnosis matters with autoimmune diseases
Many autoimmune diseases are slow to reveal themselves. Symptoms can be vague, come and go, or mimic other conditions. As a result, people often go years without a proper diagnosis, which can be dangerous. Without treatment, autoimmune diseases can severely affect your joints, leading to permanent joint damage and reduced mobility. Some autoimmune diseases, like lupus or scleroderma, can also affect other internal organs, making early diagnosis important.
Early diagnosis allows for early treatment, which can slow disease progression, reduce symptoms and even improve quality of life. Medications like disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics can also help control the immune response and protect your joints.
“Getting a diagnosis changed everything. It validated my pain and gave me a path forward,” April says.
What to do if you suspect your joint pain is something more
If your joint pain feels like it may be more than normal aging, don’t ignore it. Here’s how to take action:
- Keep a symptom journal. Track when your symptoms occur, how long they last and what makes them better or worse. Note any other symptoms, like fatigue, rashes or fevers. This record will help your doctor see if there are patterns.
- Talk to your primary care provider. Bring your journal and concerns to your doctor. Be specific about your symptoms and how they’re affecting your life.
- Ask for a referral. If your doctor suspects an autoimmune issue, ask to see a rheumatologist, a specialist in autoimmune and joint diseases. They can run blood tests, imaging and other diagnostics to get to the root of your pain.
How MediFind can help you find condition-specific information and top-rated specialists
MediFind is a helpful resource for finding top-rated specialists and exploring possible conditions based on your symptoms. MediFind’s Find a Doctor tool can help you find a rheumatologist or other specialist for your unique needs, using objective medical data about each doctor to help you easily compare physicians based on the following criteria:
- Their experience treating patients with your condition
- Their research contributions and publications related to the condition
- Referrals from other specialists
- Connections with other experts treating the same condition
Based on these criteria, providers are assigned a level of expertise (elite, distinguished, advanced or experienced) for each specific health condition they treat, so it’s easy to know at a glance which doctors are the best for that condition.
“After being recently diagnosed with limited systemic sclerosis—the fourth autoimmune diagnosis I’ve received—I felt overwhelmed and unsure where to turn,” April says. “I was already seeing a great rheumatologist, but MediFind helped me find a specialist who focuses specifically on scleroderma. Having this level of expertise on my side has helped me feel more supported, more informed and, most importantly, more hopeful about managing my health moving forward.”
Joint pain isn’t always just a sign of aging. If your symptoms are persistent, symmetrical or accompanied by fatigue or other unusual symptoms, it’s worth digging deeper. Autoimmune diseases can be complex, but with awareness and early action, they can be managed effectively.
Don’t wait for the pain to get worse. Check out our Find a Doctor tool and search by your location for a rheumatologist near you. Try it here.
* April Bryan is a real patient, but she is the mother of a MediFind team member.
