Unexpected stiff elbows

Baloo
Baloo Member Posts: 544
edited 9. Mar 2025, 12:42 in Living with arthritis

Its weird. I am off painkillers, but when I go to bed my elbows stiffen up and become painful to move, in fact its so hard to move them they nearly become locked. Its a new symptom while every other joint is perfectly happy and strength has come back. Knees ok. Ankles ok. Shoulders a bit stiff. Hands a bit stiff.

What is it with these elbows?

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Comments

  • annabanana
    annabanana Moderator Posts: 139

    Hi @baloo , sorry to hear that you’re experiencing this.

    Are you perhaps a side sleeper? I have noticed that my elbows got extra sore/stiff after sleeping on my side with my arms in a bent position- my symptoms greatly improved after realising this and taking methods to prevent it. Obviously, everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for an other but it has helped me out.

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • Baloo
    Baloo Member Posts: 544

    Could be, I pull the blankets up to my chin, and this seems to be a big mistake, but lying on your back what choice is there.

  • Arthuritis
    Arthuritis Member Posts: 545

    @Baloo I had a finger joint on each hand so stiff it was locked into a claw position for months until the hospital finally agreed to give each joint a steroid injection guided by ultrasound, and it was miraculous, 1 month to recover but perfect thereafter. I know they do similar injections for elbows, perhaps you could ask?

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