Joint Stiffness
Joint stiffness makes it a challenge to move the joints. It’s different from joint pain because even those who don’t experience pain in their joints may still experience stiffness. It feels like the motion is limited or difficult to make. A person who experiences this symptom may still be able to move the joints, although it requires more force. In some cases, it may be accompanied by inflammation and pain. The symptoms may be mild for some and usually go away after a while, but they could be severe for others, affecting their mobility.
The stiffness of the joint is a common symptom of gout, and a high uric acid level may cause gout. However, other possible causes exist, like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, bursitis, and bone cancer. If the stiffness doesn’t go away after a few days, it’s best to check with your doctor. They may conduct a physical exam and provide treatments to relieve stiffness. But if it persists after that, they may perform more tests to determine if other things might be causing it and recommend other options to manage it.
