Both my knees are swollen and stiff every morning. Could it be inflammatory arthritis?

Inflammatory or wear-related stiffness?

• Inflammatory: stiffness often lasts well over half an hour, improves with activity, and the knees look puffy or feel warm
• Wear-related (osteoarthritis): stiffness usually lasts a few minutes, pain worsens with use and through the day, and swelling tends to follow activity
• Inflammatory arthritis more often affects several joints, including small joints of the hands and feet, and can come with tiredness
• Osteoarthritis is more common after middle age and often affects one knee more than the other

Other clues worth noting

Write down anything else you have noticed, because it helps point to the cause:

• Swollen finger joints or a tight ring in the morning
• Psoriasis, nail pitting or a family history of psoriasis
• Lower back stiffness that is worse at night or in the morning
• Red, painful eyes, mouth ulcers or skin rashes
• A recent stomach upset or urinary infection
• Unexplained weight loss, fever or night sweats

What you can do now

Keep moving gently, as stiffness usually improves with activity. A warm shower in the morning and range-of-motion exercises before getting up can help. Swimming or a stationary bike in an air-conditioned gym is often comfortable, especially in the summer months.

Avoid repeated self-treatment with painkillers or steroid tablets without a diagnosis, because they can mask the pattern and delay proper treatment.

When to be seen in Doha

Arrange a consultation if swelling has lasted more than a few weeks or affects several joints. Seek same-day care for a single hot, very painful knee with fever. At Aman Hospital Dr. Gelber examines the knees, may draw fluid for testing, and arranges blood tests and imaging. If an inflammatory cause is likely, he refers you to a rheumatologist, who leads medical treatment, while he manages the knee itself.