Morning joint stiffness lasting more than 1 hour
Overview
Morning joint stiffness lasting more than one hour is a prolonged feeling of tightness, reduced mobility, and difficulty moving joints upon waking up. This extended stiffness typically affects multiple joints and takes over an hour to improve with movement or activity.
Common Causes
This prolonged morning stiffness is often caused by inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune disorders, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissues. It can also result from osteoarthritis, particularly in older adults, where cartilage breakdown leads to joint inflammation overnight. Certain lifestyle factors like prolonged inactivity, poor sleep positions, or sleeping in cold environments can worsen the stiffness by reducing blood flow to the joints during rest.
Severity Levels
Mild: Morning stiffness lasts 1-2 hours and affects a few joints, but you can still perform most daily activities with some initial difficulty. The stiffness gradually improves with gentle movement and warm-up activities.
Moderate: Morning stiffness persists for 2-4 hours and affects multiple joints, significantly impacting your ability to get ready and start your day. You may need extra time and assistance with morning routines like dressing or preparing breakfast.
Severe: Morning stiffness lasts more than 4 hours and affects many joints throughout your body, making it extremely difficult to perform basic morning activities. You may require significant help with personal care and experience substantial delays in starting daily activities.
Medical Attention
You should see a doctor if your morning joint stiffness lasts longer than an hour and occurs regularly, especially if it affects multiple joints or interferes with your daily activities. Seek prompt medical attention if the stiffness is accompanied by joint swelling, severe pain, fever, or if you notice your symptoms are getting progressively worse. Early evaluation is important as prolonged morning stiffness can be a sign of inflammatory conditions that benefit from early treatment.
4k+ Collection Centres
90k+ Biomarkers Tested
Early Detection