What Causes a Stiff Knee After Sitting?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWhen to See a ProviderDiagnosisTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Causes

When to See a Provider

Diagnosis

Treatment

Injuries and conditions that affect the knee joint, likeosteoarthritisorrheumatoid arthritis (RA), can make knee stiffness worse.

This article explains the reasons your knee may feel stiff, how a healthcare provider will determine the cause, and treatment options for different conditions.

Why Does My Knee Give Out?

Verywell / Julie Bang

Causes of Knee Stiffness

Many people experience stiff knees after sitting for long periods. Stiffness is usually the result of damage to the soft tissue in the knee or a buildup of fluid in the joint.This causes swelling and decreases your ability to freely move the joint.

A number of conditions can lead to inflammation and knee stiffness.

Bursitis

Bursitisis usually a temporary condition that occurs when thebursae, sacs of fluid that protect the joint, become inflamed. There are several bursae in each knee joint.

Normally, bursae create a cushion within the knee so that bones and other tissues don’t rub hard against each other. This reduces friction and prevents wear and tear.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, can cause stiff knees. It is the most common form ofarthritis. According to some estimates, osteoarthritis affects one in three people over the age of 65.If the knee joint is overused or injured frequently, osteoarthritis can affect young people as well.

Rheumatoid arthritis, anautoimmune disease, is commonly associated with joint stiffness. Morning stiffness is a hallmark feature of RA.If you experience stiffness in both knees along with additional symptoms, like fever and fatigue, you may have RA.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Injury

Competitive athletics or everyday activities can put stress on the knee or cause you to twist it. This can result in an injury that causes stiffness. Stiffness is more likely if there is swelling and pain.

One common injury is a ligament injury. This problem can happen if you bend the joint past what would be its normal range of motion.Ligament injuries can also occur during an accident or other type of trauma.

Ameniscus tearis another common injury.The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that sits between the bones in the knee joint. It acts like a shock absorber.

Tears to this cartilage can occur if the knee is twisted. It’s a common problem in sports that require a lot of squatting, twisting, and changing positions. When the meniscus tears, you may feel a pop in the knee.

Understanding Different Types of Knee Injuries

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoralpain syndrome(PFPS) causes pain in the front of the knee and around thepatellaor kneecap.PFPS is often the result of overuse or poor alignment of the kneecap.

PFPS is also referred to as runner’s knee or jumper’s knee because it’s most common in people who play sports. It affects women more often than men.

PMPS causes stiffness and pain under the kneecap, especially after sitting for long periods.

Exercises for Runner’s Knee

Surgery

Postoperative knee stiffness, or stiffness that occurs after surgery, is not unusual.Arthrofibrosis, also called stiff knee syndrome, is one type of post-op problem.

This condition is a result of the body’s natural process of building up scar tissue in response to surgery or trauma. With arthrofibrosis, too much scar tissue builds up around the knee joint, causing the knee to tighten.

Arthrofibrosis can occur after common knee surgeries, including:

Low Flexibility or Strength

Maintaining flexibility throughout the body can help prevent some types of knee stiffness. To avoid stiffness from tight muscles, add stretching to your fitness routine and prioritize strength-building exercises.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

While knee stiffness is common, it can also be a sign of a serious condition. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience the following symptoms:

How Knee Stiffness Is Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will first take a history of your symptoms and ask about any recent injuries. To pinpoint the cause of stiffness, several types of tests might be done.

Tests to diagnose the underlying cause of stiff knees can include:

How Blood Tests Help Diagnosis RA

How Knee Stiffness Is Treated

Treatment depends on the cause of your knee stiffness. Conditions like osteoarthritis and RA will require long-term treatment and follow-up with your healthcare provider.

Whether your knee stiffness is the result of a chronic disease or an injury, there are several ways you can get relief for your stiff knees.

Self-Care Strategies

Self-care can be done at home to prevent or relieve knee stiffness. These strategies include:

Above all, listen to your body. Don’t overdo it.

Medical Treatment

Depending on your condition, your healthcare provider might recommend additional treatment along with self-care.

Treatment options include:

Even if you are sent for other medical treatments, you should continue to follow self-care strategies at home for the best results.

How Physical Therapy Helps with Knee Pain

Summary

Stiff knees after sitting are often the result of overuse or injury, but disease can also limit your mobility. To prevent problems, stretch and exercise your legs regularly.

Even with careful care, you may find that your knees are still stiff. Other symptoms may develop, too, like swelling or fever. See your healthcare provider for a physical exam and be prepared to undergo some blood and imaging tests to find the cause of your stiffness.

After a diagnosis, your healthcare provider will develop a plan to either help you regain full movement without pain, or to help you manage discomfort and physical limitations that cannot be reversed. Medication, physical therapy, and surgery are commonly used to treat knee stiffness.

15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wang Z, Shan H, Zan Q.Research progress on treatment of knee extension stiffness.MEDS Clin Med. 2023;4(2):9-14. doi:10.23977/medsc.2023.040202Petersen W, Ellermann A, Gösele-Koppenburg A, et al.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014;22(10):2264-74. doi:10.1007/s00167-013-2759-6Khodaee M.Common superficial bursitis.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(4):224-231Hawker GA.Osteoarthritis is a serious disease.Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2019;37 Suppl 120(5):3-6.Mok CC.Morning stiffness in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis: What is known about the effect of biological and targeted agents?Drugs Aging. 2018;35(6):477-483. doi:10.1007/s40266-018-0548-0Vosoughi F, Rezaei Dogahe R, Nuri A, Ayati Firoozabadi M, Mortazavi J.Medial collateral ligament injury of the knee: A review on current concept and management.Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2021;9(3):255-262. doi:10.22038/abjs.2021.48458.2401Luvsannyam E, Jain MS, Leitao AR, Maikawa N, Leitao AE.Meniscus tear: Pathology, incidence, and management.Cureus. 2022;14(5):e25121. doi:10.7759/cureus.25121American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.Cheuy VA, Foran JRH, Paxton RJ, Bade MJ, Zeni JA, Stevens-Lapsley JE.Arthrofibrosis associated with total knee arthroplasty.J Arthroplasty. 2017;32(8):2604-2611. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.02.005Usher KM, Zhu S, Mavropalias G, Carrino JA, Zhao J, Xu J.Pathological mechanisms and therapeutic outlooks for arthrofibrosis.Bone Res. 2019;7:9. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0047-xYasen SK.Common knee injuries, diagnosis and management.Surgery-Oxford International Edition. 2023;41(4):215-22. doi:10.1016/j.mpsur.2023.02.003Harvard Health Publishing.X-ray may be best screening tool for diagnosing knee pain.Arthritis Foundation.Blood, fluid and tissue tests for arthritis.Harvard Health Publishing.Take control of your knee pain.Khan M, Adili A, Winemaker M, Bhandari M.Management of osteoarthritis of the knee in younger patients.CMAJ. 2018;190(3):E72-E79. doi:10.1503/cmaj.170696

15 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wang Z, Shan H, Zan Q.Research progress on treatment of knee extension stiffness.MEDS Clin Med. 2023;4(2):9-14. doi:10.23977/medsc.2023.040202Petersen W, Ellermann A, Gösele-Koppenburg A, et al.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014;22(10):2264-74. doi:10.1007/s00167-013-2759-6Khodaee M.Common superficial bursitis.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(4):224-231Hawker GA.Osteoarthritis is a serious disease.Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2019;37 Suppl 120(5):3-6.Mok CC.Morning stiffness in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis: What is known about the effect of biological and targeted agents?Drugs Aging. 2018;35(6):477-483. doi:10.1007/s40266-018-0548-0Vosoughi F, Rezaei Dogahe R, Nuri A, Ayati Firoozabadi M, Mortazavi J.Medial collateral ligament injury of the knee: A review on current concept and management.Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2021;9(3):255-262. doi:10.22038/abjs.2021.48458.2401Luvsannyam E, Jain MS, Leitao AR, Maikawa N, Leitao AE.Meniscus tear: Pathology, incidence, and management.Cureus. 2022;14(5):e25121. doi:10.7759/cureus.25121American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.Cheuy VA, Foran JRH, Paxton RJ, Bade MJ, Zeni JA, Stevens-Lapsley JE.Arthrofibrosis associated with total knee arthroplasty.J Arthroplasty. 2017;32(8):2604-2611. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.02.005Usher KM, Zhu S, Mavropalias G, Carrino JA, Zhao J, Xu J.Pathological mechanisms and therapeutic outlooks for arthrofibrosis.Bone Res. 2019;7:9. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0047-xYasen SK.Common knee injuries, diagnosis and management.Surgery-Oxford International Edition. 2023;41(4):215-22. doi:10.1016/j.mpsur.2023.02.003Harvard Health Publishing.X-ray may be best screening tool for diagnosing knee pain.Arthritis Foundation.Blood, fluid and tissue tests for arthritis.Harvard Health Publishing.Take control of your knee pain.Khan M, Adili A, Winemaker M, Bhandari M.Management of osteoarthritis of the knee in younger patients.CMAJ. 2018;190(3):E72-E79. doi:10.1503/cmaj.170696

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Wang Z, Shan H, Zan Q.Research progress on treatment of knee extension stiffness.MEDS Clin Med. 2023;4(2):9-14. doi:10.23977/medsc.2023.040202Petersen W, Ellermann A, Gösele-Koppenburg A, et al.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014;22(10):2264-74. doi:10.1007/s00167-013-2759-6Khodaee M.Common superficial bursitis.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(4):224-231Hawker GA.Osteoarthritis is a serious disease.Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2019;37 Suppl 120(5):3-6.Mok CC.Morning stiffness in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis: What is known about the effect of biological and targeted agents?Drugs Aging. 2018;35(6):477-483. doi:10.1007/s40266-018-0548-0Vosoughi F, Rezaei Dogahe R, Nuri A, Ayati Firoozabadi M, Mortazavi J.Medial collateral ligament injury of the knee: A review on current concept and management.Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2021;9(3):255-262. doi:10.22038/abjs.2021.48458.2401Luvsannyam E, Jain MS, Leitao AR, Maikawa N, Leitao AE.Meniscus tear: Pathology, incidence, and management.Cureus. 2022;14(5):e25121. doi:10.7759/cureus.25121American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.Cheuy VA, Foran JRH, Paxton RJ, Bade MJ, Zeni JA, Stevens-Lapsley JE.Arthrofibrosis associated with total knee arthroplasty.J Arthroplasty. 2017;32(8):2604-2611. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.02.005Usher KM, Zhu S, Mavropalias G, Carrino JA, Zhao J, Xu J.Pathological mechanisms and therapeutic outlooks for arthrofibrosis.Bone Res. 2019;7:9. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0047-xYasen SK.Common knee injuries, diagnosis and management.Surgery-Oxford International Edition. 2023;41(4):215-22. doi:10.1016/j.mpsur.2023.02.003Harvard Health Publishing.X-ray may be best screening tool for diagnosing knee pain.Arthritis Foundation.Blood, fluid and tissue tests for arthritis.Harvard Health Publishing.Take control of your knee pain.Khan M, Adili A, Winemaker M, Bhandari M.Management of osteoarthritis of the knee in younger patients.CMAJ. 2018;190(3):E72-E79. doi:10.1503/cmaj.170696

Wang Z, Shan H, Zan Q.Research progress on treatment of knee extension stiffness.MEDS Clin Med. 2023;4(2):9-14. doi:10.23977/medsc.2023.040202

Petersen W, Ellermann A, Gösele-Koppenburg A, et al.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014;22(10):2264-74. doi:10.1007/s00167-013-2759-6

Khodaee M.Common superficial bursitis.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(4):224-231

Hawker GA.Osteoarthritis is a serious disease.Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2019;37 Suppl 120(5):3-6.

Mok CC.Morning stiffness in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis: What is known about the effect of biological and targeted agents?Drugs Aging. 2018;35(6):477-483. doi:10.1007/s40266-018-0548-0

Vosoughi F, Rezaei Dogahe R, Nuri A, Ayati Firoozabadi M, Mortazavi J.Medial collateral ligament injury of the knee: A review on current concept and management.Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2021;9(3):255-262. doi:10.22038/abjs.2021.48458.2401

Luvsannyam E, Jain MS, Leitao AR, Maikawa N, Leitao AE.Meniscus tear: Pathology, incidence, and management.Cureus. 2022;14(5):e25121. doi:10.7759/cureus.25121

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Cheuy VA, Foran JRH, Paxton RJ, Bade MJ, Zeni JA, Stevens-Lapsley JE.Arthrofibrosis associated with total knee arthroplasty.J Arthroplasty. 2017;32(8):2604-2611. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.02.005

Usher KM, Zhu S, Mavropalias G, Carrino JA, Zhao J, Xu J.Pathological mechanisms and therapeutic outlooks for arthrofibrosis.Bone Res. 2019;7:9. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0047-x

Yasen SK.Common knee injuries, diagnosis and management.Surgery-Oxford International Edition. 2023;41(4):215-22. doi:10.1016/j.mpsur.2023.02.003

Harvard Health Publishing.X-ray may be best screening tool for diagnosing knee pain.

Arthritis Foundation.Blood, fluid and tissue tests for arthritis.

Harvard Health Publishing.Take control of your knee pain.

Khan M, Adili A, Winemaker M, Bhandari M.Management of osteoarthritis of the knee in younger patients.CMAJ. 2018;190(3):E72-E79. doi:10.1503/cmaj.170696

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