Joint Stiffness
Stiffness is an early symptom of nearly all forms of arthritis. It is the inability to move your joints freely because of swelling, pain, and joint destruction. Along with this sign, you might notice the cracking or creaking noises when you move your knees or feet around after an extended period of inactivity. In the beginning, stiffness does not often involve a decreased range of motion, but it indicates that there is an issue in your joints that would become worse over time. This symptom tends to show up on one side with gout and osteoarthritis, while autoimmune forms would cause stiffness on both sides. [2]
