Which symptom is commonly associated with osteoarthritis?

Joint pain that diminishes after rest is a hallmark symptom of osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, individuals often experience pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. This pattern contrasts with other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, where stiffness and pain are typically more pronounced during periods of inactivity and may improve with movement. This characteristic can be attributed to the nature of osteoarthritis, in which the cartilage within the joint becomes damaged over time, leading to increased pain during use and relief during rest periods as the joint is not bearing weight or undergoing stress.

Other symptoms associated with osteoarthritis can include morning stiffness that typically resolves after a short period of movement, but the key distinction is that the pain associated with osteoarthritis tends to improve after resting rather than being exacerbated by it.