Conditions that can cause stiff joints include osteoarthritis, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. Medical treatments and home remedies may help to alleviate stiff joints.
Many people who experience joint stiffness tend to feel it after sitting for prolonged periods or after first waking up. Some people experience a mild discomfort that goes away after moving again. Others find that the stiffness lasts longer and is more uncomfortable.
In more severe situations, stiff joints may impact a person’s mobility. People may have difficulty putting weight on their joints, or they may have problems standing or walking.
This article discusses potential causes of joint stiffness. It also explains medical treatments and home remedies to manage stiff joints.
Most people will experience joint stiffness at some point. However, the reasons for the discomfort may vary based on a variety of factors. Some causes are more severe than others.
Sleeping posture
Many times the way people sleep at night can contribute to joint stiffness.
When a person does not sleep in a way that aligns the spine and keeps their neck in a neutral position, they may wake up feeling stiff or achy.
People who sleep on their sides may want to avoid lying on a particular side if it is already feeling stiff. Using a variety of pillows around the body can help keep it in the right sleep position for a good night’s rest and less joint stiffness.
Learn about choosing a mattress for joint pain.
Time of day
In addition to sleeping posture, research shows that joint stiffness
There is also some evidence that poor sleep may make joint discomfort worse at night. This, in turn, contributes to poor sleep. For this reason, people who have conditions like arthritis may find it difficult to get enough rest at night.
Age
Older adults may have stiffer joints due to a lifetime of use. Over time, a person’s range of joint motion can become more restricted. A person may also become less flexible.
The cartilage, which is the cushion that protects the connection between a person’s bones, also begins to wear down. This causes inflammation and can lead to arthritis.
Obesity
When a person has overweight or obesity, their weight is higher than what doctors consider healthy for their height. The most common way to measure this is with the Body Mass Index (BMI). The
The flaws of BMI
BMI is a calculation of a person’s body fat based on their height and weight. However, studies suggest it is a poor indicator of a person’s body fat percentage.
It can be misleading because the measure does not account for overall body composition. The BMI measurement overlooks bone density, muscle mass, and other considerations.
For additional information, talk with your doctor about other body fat assessment methods.
When the body carries additional weight, this weight places extra pressure on the joints. In addition, fat cells can release proteins into the body that can cause inflammation. Both of these factors together may lead to arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, which can cause joint stiffness.
In addition, research shows that obesity may cause various metabolic issues in the body, which
Learn more about how obesity affects the body.
Diet
Eating animal and dairy products
When people eat more of these foods and fewer plant-based foods, they may be more susceptible to joint stiffness.
Bursitis
Bursitis develops when tiny, fluid-filled sacs in the joints called bursae become inflamed. The inflammation causes pain as well as stiffness.
Bursitis can happen in nearly any joint, but it is
- shoulders
- hips
- knees
- ankles
- elbow
Bursitis usually heals by itself with rest. A person should typically reduce activities that move the affected joint and rest it for long periods.
Resting the joint allows the bursae to recover, causing the pain and stiffness to go away.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative type of arthritis that affects over
Osteoarthritis often affects:
- fingers
- hips
- knees
- back
- neck
As it progresses, it can cause:
- swelling
- pain
- cracking noises with movement
Treatments usually center around relieving pain and reducing swelling in the joints. People whose osteoarthritis is particularly painful and debilitating may require surgery.
Learn more about osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is another common arthritis that affects about 1.5 million people in the U.S. RA typically appears in adults between the ages of 30 and 60.
RA is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack otherwise healthy joints. People with RA experience pain and swelling as the body attacks the joints.
There is no cure for RA. Treatments focus on slowing the progression of the condition.
Rheumatoid arthritis resources
Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on rheumatoid arthritis.
Lupus
Lupus is another autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue, such as muscles and joints. When lupus attacks the joints, symptoms include:
- swelling
- stiffness
- pain
Lupus is often difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms are similar to other medical conditions. There is no cure and symptoms generally worsen over time.
Treatment focuses on treating the symptoms. Available treatments can be effective in helping people find symptom relief.
Learn about treating lupus and preventing flares.
Gout
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Gout is a sudden-onset arthritis that tends to affect males more often than females. Gout is a condition that develops quickly, with symptoms sometimes appearing overnight, often in the big toe.
Symptoms of gout
- severe pain
- severe tenderness
- stiff joints
- swelling and increased warmth of the joint
Gout can develop in any joint. It will typically appear for a short period and then go away. People with gout often experience symptoms on and off throughout their life.
Treatment focuses on reducing the severity of the symptoms and lowering levels of uric acid in the blood.
Read about home remedies for gout.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition
People who have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis may be more prone to developing fibromyalgia as well and may be more at risk for joint stiffness.
There are many over-the-counter (OTC) and home remedies to help alleviate joint stiffness, pain, and swelling.
One type of OTC medication a person can take is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which
For people who experience severe joint stiffness as a result of conditions like arthritis,
It is important for individuals to speak with a healthcare professional if the cause of the joint pain is unknown, comes on suddenly, or is accompanied by other symptoms.
People can also choose to try home remedies to reduce joint stiffness along with any other treatments that a healthcare professional has recommended or prescribed.
Home remedies can include:
- using heat therapy
- maintaining a moderate weight
- getting regular exercise
- eating a balanced diet
taking supplements, such as fish oil
People do not typically need to contact a healthcare professional if joint stiffness generally occurs first thing in the morning or after sitting for extended periods.
However, they should consult a healthcare professional if stiffness comes on suddenly or does not go away after a few days.
People should also speak with a healthcare professional if they experience any of the following:
- rapid swelling
- severe pain
- deformity of the joints
- joint redness or discoloration that is hot to touch
- loss of mobility in the joint
Many people experience joint stiffness as they age. Most often this stiffness wears off after a person gets up and moves around.
Other people, however, may experience joint stiffness as a result of an underlying condition.
Anyone who has any doubt about the cause of their joint stiffness should speak with a healthcare professional to help rule out or treat a potential underlying condition.