Anyone experiencing stiffness, pain, and swelling in multiple joints would do well to check with a Rheumatologist.

Most of the posts in this thread have described pain in just one or two joints, and problems which can often be attributed to a particular injury. That is typical of Osteoarthritis, a condition often caused by mechanical wear and tear on the joints.

Stiffness, pain, and swelling in multiple joints, including hands, shoulders, and knees, are symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. RA is a serious, chronic, autoimmune disease, and proper treatment involves more than exercise, heat rubs, and cortizone shots. It takes powerful meds and ongoing medical attention to minimize the damage it does. While there is no cure for RA, early treatment can reduce joint deformation and ameliorate some of the other bad effects of the disease.