12 Ways to Tell If It's Arthritis or Just Winter — How to Tell the Difference and When to See a Doctor

7. Symmetry and joint distribution

Where pain shows up on your body matters. Some forms of arthritis—like rheumatoid arthritis—often affect the same joints on both sides of the body. For example, both wrists or the same finger joints may be involved. Osteoarthritis can be asymmetric, often affecting a previously injured or heavily used joint more on one side. Weather-related pain doesn’t follow a predictable symmetry and may focus where old injuries or weak muscles already exist. If you notice a clear pattern of matching joints on both sides flaring together, that pattern increases the likelihood of an inflammatory arthritis and should prompt medical assessment.

8. Age and sudden onset vs gradual change

Age of onset and how quickly symptoms start provide useful context. Osteoarthritis typically develops gradually with age or after joint injury, so symptoms often begin in midlife or later. Inflammatory types can appear at younger ages and sometimes start more abruptly. Children can develop juvenile arthritis, which has unique signs and needs pediatric evaluation (University of Utah Health). New, severe joint pain at any age—especially if accompanied by fever or rash—deserves prompt medical attention. Conversely, mild aches that appeared slowly over years and get briefly worse in cold weather are more likely osteoarthritis or weather-related sensitivity.