Joint pain may be due to inflammation or degeneration (wear and tear) in joints.
Arthritis describes a range of different conditions, including osteoarthritis and autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Hallmarks of inflammatory arthritis are: early morning stiffness for more than 30 minutes, improvement with activity and joint swelling or warmth.
Hallmarks of degenerative pain (osteoarthritis) are: general stiffness, worsening of pain with activity and weight bearing.