[26F] Experiencing joint pain with morning stiffness and limited range of motion

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, here are a few possibilities:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. It often starts in smaller joints, like those of the hands and feet, and it's usually symmetrical (affects the same joints on both sides of the body). Morning stiffness that lasts for several hours is a classic symptom.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

• Osteoarthritis: This is a degenerative joint disease that usually affects middle-aged and older adults. It often affects the hands and weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips. Pain is typically worse with activity and relieved by rest, and there may be decreased range of motion and crepitus (a grating sensation inside the joint).

  • Treatment typically involves lifestyle modifications (like exercise and weight loss if overweight), physical therapy, medications for pain, and sometimes surgery.

• Psoriatic Arthritis: This is a type of arthritis that affects some people with psoriasis, a condition that features red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. Most people develop psoriasis first and are later diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, but the joint problems can sometimes begin before skin patches appear.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

What you can do

1. Schedule an appointment with your doctor. They can perform a physical examination and may order blood tests or imaging studies (like an X-ray or MRI) to help make a diagnosis.
2. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) may help relieve your pain.
3. Try to keep moving. While it might hurt to move, prolonged inactivity can cause your joints to become stiff.
4. Apply heat to the painful area. This can help relax your muscles and relieve pain.
5. Try to maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight puts more pressure on your weight-bearing joints and can make symptoms worse.

What you should look out for

If your pain becomes severe, you can't move the joint, the area becomes red or hot, or you develop a fever, you should seek medical attention immediately. These could be signs of a more serious condition, such as an infection or a flare of an autoimmune disease.