Musculoskeletal symptoms are very common and may arise from joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bursas (see Introduction to the Biology of the Musculoskeletal System Introduction to the Biology of the Musculoskeletal System The musculoskeletal system provides form, stability, and movement to the human body. It consists of the body's bones (which make up the skeleton), muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage... read more ).
Common symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders include pain Musculoskeletal Pain Pain is the most common symptom of most musculoskeletal disorders. Pain ranges from mild to severe and from acute and short-lived to chronic and of long duration and may be local or widespread... read more , weakness Weakness A person may have difficulty moving all or part of the body. Moving may be difficult because of disorders that restrict joint motion or that cause weakness, stiffness, tremor, or difficulty... read more , stiffness Joint Stiffness Joint stiffness is the feeling that the motion of a joint is limited or difficult. The feeling is not caused by weakness or reluctance to move the joint due to pain. Some people with stiffness... read more , joint noises Joint Noises Joint noises (crepitus), such as creaks and clicks, are common among many people without any joint disorders, but they can occur with specific problems of the joints. For example, the base of... read more , and decreased range of motion Difficulty Moving A person may have difficulty moving all or part of the body. Moving may be difficult because of disorders that restrict joint motion or that cause weakness, stiffness, tremor, or difficulty... read more . Inflammation may cause pain, swelling, warmth, tenderness, impaired function, and sometimes redness of the overlying skin. Inflammation can result from many different musculoskeletal disorders, such as autoimmune disorders (for example, rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis in which joints, usually including those of the hands and feet, are inflamed, resulting in swelling, pain, and often destruction of joints.... read more 
) and infections. When inflammation affects a joint, fluid may accumulate inside the joint, causing pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion.
