Joints achy and stiff? There are many reasons why our joints may ache, for example, if you’ve been sitting in an awkward position, or in the same position for a while without moving. Whilst in many cases this is nothing to worry about, sometimes joint stiffness can be caused by an underlying condition which needs management and treatment in order to prevent permanent damage and limit any negative impact on your quality of life. This may especially be the case if your joint stiffness is recurring or has been bothering you for more than a few weeks.
Arthritis is a general term used to describe conditions causing pain in the joints. Pain can take many forms, from a dull ache to a burning sensation. Some people may experience tenderness, a sharp shooting pain or even just general stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis is a relatively common form of arthritis which causes joint stiffness and needs careful management. But does joint stiffness mean I have rheumatoid arthritis?
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The link between joint stiffness and rheumatoid arthritis
Joint stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis usually (but not always) affects the same joint on both sides of the body. It’s quite a specific kind of stiffness; for example, in the hands it may feel like you aren’t able to bend your fingers easily or properly. Stiffness that is caused by rheumatoid arthritis is often more severe in the mornings. It can also be worse after long periods of inactivity for example, after sitting or lying down. It is most common to feel stiffness from rheumatoid arthritis in your fingers, hands, wrists and elbows but it can also affect the hips, shoulders, knees, and ankles.
It’s important not to try and diagnose the cause of joint pain yourself. Having joint stiffness does not mean that you necessarily have rheumatoid arthritis and there are lots of other symptoms and markers that a rheumatologist will check for and consider. How will a rheumatologist know whether you have rheumatoid arthritis or not? When you see a rheumatologist they will carry out a physical examination and will request X-rays so that they can clearly see any signs of joint damage or other indicators of the condition. They will also ask you for details of your symptoms, your family history and your own medical history. Those with a family history of the condition may have an elevated risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Your consultant will likely ask you detailed questions about the pain and stiffness – more specifically, if it started suddenly or if it came on slowly, if it comes and goes, if something makes it worse or better, what kind of pain you are experiencing for example it’s stiffness or sharp pains,which joints it affects, and if it has changed over time.
Other conditions that cause joint stiffness
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis crossover heavily with those of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is actually one of the more common reasons that individuals experience stiffness in the joints. Osteoarthritis is a name given to the wear and tear of joints. According to the Versus Arthritis report (2023), around 10 million people in the UK alone have osteoarthritis. Around 60% are women and 40% are men. The most common age for the onset of symptoms is 55 years old, however it is possible to have the condition and not notice any symptoms.
The most common joint(s) affected by osteoarthritis is the knees, however it is also incredibly common to have osteoarthritis in the hips as they are both weight-bearing joints. Osteoarthritis doesn’t just cause stiffness, it leads to pain which is often worse when you move or at the end of the day. Some people feel the stiffness even after resting but it wears off after a while. The stiffness can impact the mobility of the joints which means that it can be difficult to move which can greatly impact your quality of life. You may also notice joint swelling, and grating or cracking noises as you move which is called crepitus.
Unfortunately osteoarthritis is caused by the deterioration of the cartilage in the joints between our bones which causes damage that cannot be reversed. Cartilage is really important for helping the bones move smoothly against one another. Once the cartilage is damaged, the other tissues around the joint try to repair it but this can affect the structure of the joint, leading to bony spurs (growths) and inflamed or thickened synovium. Once the cartilage is damaged this is what leads to the pain and symptoms commonly associated with the condition.
Keeping osteoarthritis under control
Certain individuals may be more at risk of getting osteoarthritis. This includes being female, being overweight, having a job that involves repetitive movement or is physically demanding, certain genetic factors, and having other joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Unfortunately there isn’t a cure for osteoarthritis at the moment and management of the disease involves controlling the pain through a combination of pain relief, highly targeted physical therapy designed to strengthen the joints, supplements such as glucosamine, and lifestyle changes such as weight management and changes to diet.
It is very common that people with osteoarthritis tend to shy away from exercise as it can increase pain in the beginning. However, physical activity can actually help to improve the pain – this is where a physiotherapist comes in. They will suggest exercises that not only strengthen the joint but help to increase and maintain range of movement. They may also suggest low impact exercises such as swimming but this would be tailored to you and your individual needs and preferences. In certain individuals, where the pain is too much, steroid injections may be recommended by your rheumatologist to help manage the pain. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
Take the first step in getting help for joint stiffness – whatever the cause
If you’re experiencing stiffness in the joints, it’s important not to delay seeking help. For certain conditions like rheumatoid arthritis it is really important to get early diagnosis in order to halt the progression of the disease and prevent further permanent damage to the joints. If you have already seen your GP you may find they have referred you to a rheumatologist but that the waiting list is long. If you are interested in getting a diagnosis and treatment and pain relief sooner, you may prefer to look into seeing a private rheumatologist. This will help you get the pain under control quickly so that you can get back to your normal activities and regain your quality of life.
