Waking up with a stiff left knee in the morning any tips to help

Blueskyday68
Blueskyday68 Member Posts: 95
edited 22. Feb 2022, 14:40 in Living with arthritis

Hello everyone I have osteoarthritis in my knees and my left knee is very stiff in the morning are there any hints or tips that can help with I use a wheat bag which I heat up in the microwave but are there any more tips or hints that can help thank you

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764

    I know that that I, and others, have, at times, had to do exercises before being able to get out of bed. They do work.

    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Fif
    Fif Member Posts: 116

    Basically, I think you just have to get moving. Exercises before you get out of bed would be a good start.

  • StarAnise37
    StarAnise37 Member Posts: 6

    @Blueskyday68

    As one OA website put it succinctly, 'Motion is Lotion'. The reason the knee is stiff is because when asleep, less synovial fluid, the lubricating oil of the joints is produced because one moves about less. As it has been pointed out by earlier comments, exercise encourage the production of this fluid.

  • Blueskyday68
    Blueskyday68 Member Posts: 95

    Thank you for your comments everyone I do strengthening exercises and range of motion exercises everyday I know the importance of movement but it seems I have lost some of my range of movement on my left knee I don't know whether this is a flare up or damage I am still walking but it is painful my knee feels permanently bent am I doing the right thing by still exercising and walking thank you

  • stacey1977
    stacey1977 Member Posts: 36

    Hi my left knee hurts in the morning when I have not got up in the night for a wee I get up gradually moving my knee with my hands and moving to sitting before slowly standing

    It has got worse the past week but I'm not sure if that's because I have tested positive for covid and all my joints are feeling heavy

  • Baloo
    Baloo Member Posts: 544
    edited 18. Apr 2022, 16:34

    Yes, give it time. My knees went stiff when I did some exercise on a stepper. I thought it was curtains for mobility but I am finding it varies if I keep working on it in different ways. Today I can cross my foot over the other knee. Definitely for safety I do a bit of moving around before I put any weight on, and I take it real slow. I had my doubts because taking long walks was very tiring, but currently managing 7,000 steps a day shuffling off to work, with some steroid and paracetamol to make sure I can keep moving and keep strength up. A bit of physio on the bus was also surprising helpful. I would love some exercise to get my full knee strength back, but I suspect its just too much to expect. Somehow the stepper was too much, it was too rough.

  • alexander1
    alexander1 Member Posts: 70

    I use Ibrugel but also sleep every night with a knee pillow which helps

  • DODGYKNEES
    DODGYKNEES Member Posts: 106

    Hi @Blueskyday68 it could be a flare up. This does happen to me at times. It might be a good idea to go to a walk in physio at the hospital to see if they can suggest anything to help with range of motion, maybe make an appointment with the GP. They might be able to tell you if there is further damage via X-ray or physical examination. Hope this helps

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