Objective: To establish the initial symptoms and physical signs of osteosarcoma from the records of the first medical visit and to identify early characteristics of the diseases to shorten the delay of diagnosis. Methods: A group of patients with osteosarcoma in extremities was identified from Nanjing Jinling Hospital. Records from the first medical visit due to symptoms and physical signs related to the bone tumor were obtained from 71 patients with osteosarcoma. Results: The results of the data recorded about the first medical visit,reasons for consultation, pain,trauma,initial diagnosis,delay in diagnosis were reported respectively. Conclusion: Pair an initial symptom of osteosarcoma, and was intermittent but not frequently felt at night. A history of trauma was common, but the clinical course often diverged from what was expected from trauma. The most important clinical feature was a palpable mass. This finding emphasizes that a thorough physical examination is absolutely necessary.