Morning Joint Stiffness: Nowadays unhealthy lifestyle has caused a lot of trouble to humans. Serious diseases are occurring every day. Stiffness in joints is one of such problems. In fact, if the joints of the knees, hands, wrists or waist feel as if there is stiffness for some time after getting up from bed in the morning, then people often ignore it considering it to be a normal effect of increasing age. After walking for a few minutes, the stiffness also reduces, hence the anxiety reduces further. But, every morning stiffness is not just due to age or normal ‘Wear and Tear’.
In many cases, persistent morning stiffness can be an early sign of inflammation in the body or any rheumatologic condition. In particular, it is very important to pay attention to how long the stiffness lasts, in which joints it occurs and what changes occur in it due to walking.
Why does joint stiffness increase in the morning?
According to a report in News9, due to the body remaining in the same position for a long time and reduced joint activity, stiffness can be felt during the night. This problem may be more pronounced in conditions related to inflammation. When a person wakes up in the morning and starts walking, the activity of the joints gradually increases and stiffness can reduce. That is why the doctor definitely asks the patient how long the stiffness lasts after waking up in the morning.
Why is the 30 minute rule important?
A common sign is that morning stiffness, a common joint problem that occurs with age, is often short-lived and may be relieved after a few minutes of movement. In inflammatory diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriatic Arthritis and Axial Spondyloarthritis, morning stiffness can often last for 30 to 60 minutes or more. In some cases, it can last for several hours.
What diseases can cause morning stiffness?
1. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain, swelling and prolonged morning stiffness in the small joints of the hands, wrists and feet. Many times symptoms appear in the same joints on both sides.
2. Ankylosing Spondylitis and Axial Spondyloarthritis: In these conditions there may be stiffness around the spine and lower back. The problem may worsen after prolonged rest or sleeping overnight, and many people find relief from activity.
3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica: This problem is especially seen in older people. There may be severe stiffness and pain around the shoulders and hips. Even simple tasks like getting out of bed in the morning or getting dressed may seem difficult.
4. Psoriatic Arthritis: In this type of arthritis related to psoriasis, changes in skin or nails may also be seen along with stiffness and swelling of the joints. In some people, the entire finger may swell and look like a ‘sausage digit’.
Do not ignore these signs at all
If morning stiffness regularly lasts for more than 30-60 minutes, affects multiple joints, or is accompanied by swelling, warmth, and redness, it is important to consult a doctor.
Apart from this, fatigue, mild fever or weight loss without any apparent reason, family history of autoimmune or inflammatory arthritis and persistent joint problems at an early age can also be reasons for medical examination.
Why is timely testing important?
In some cases of inflammatory arthritis, if treatment is delayed even though the disease is active, joint damage can occur over time. Modern treatment aims to control inflammation, maintain joint function, and reduce the risk of further damage. Therefore, it is not right to postpone morning stiffness for months considering it to be merely an effect of age.