A Stiff Knee in the Morning - Does it Have You Waking Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed?

How do your knees feel in the morning?

Do you have pain when you wake up, or does the pain come on during the A.M. hours?

If you suffer from a stiff knee in the morning, you may have the onset of osteoarthritis, a condition that commonly affects the knees and causes the deterioration of the joint. Osteoarthritis is an incurable condition that can strike anyone at any age, although it is more common in older individuals.

Here are a few things you should do if you have a constant stiff knee in the morning:

1.) Talk to your doctor
2.) Maintain a healthy weight
3.) Stick with an anti-inflammation diet
4.) Remain active
5.) Take painkillers when needed
6.) Wear a knee brace when active

While you cannot cure osteoarthritis, you can ease the pain from this condition as well as keep yourself active longer. Osteoarthritis is not a life threatening condition, although it can be crippling. If you experience a repeated stiff knee in the morning, you can stave off the effects and symptoms of this condition by taking the right steps.

Talk to your Doctor

Only your doctor can diagnose osteoarthritis. You should not make the mistake of trying to diagnose this condition on your own. Your doctor will most likely do a clinical examination, ask you some questions and ask you to do an x-ray or MRI. This is nothing to be alarmed about and can help give you a firm diagnosis.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

If you are overweight, you will want to trim down in order to keep the stress off your knees. Most people who experience a stiff knee in the morning do so because they have osteoarthritis and are overweight. Maintaining a healthy weight can keep the stiff knee from acting up and keep inflammation down.

Maintain an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

There are certain foods that are high in fiber and antioxidants, such as fatty fish and nuts that are good for conditions that cause inflammation, such as osteoarthritis. By eating an anti-inflammatory diet, you can help keep this condition in check. Because the foods that are included in an anti-inflammatory diet are good for you, this will also most likely help you manage your weight. Remember, the healthier you are the more fit you will be and the better you will respond to treatment.

Remain Active

If the doctor has diagnosed arthritis or osteoarthritis of the knee, then it is important that you remain active. (Speak with your physician about the best ways to remain active.) While you may be tempted to stay off the knee because of pain, this may not help the condition and can hasten joint deterioration. Swimming and walking are two good exercises that can help your knee. Wearing a knee brace and proper shoes will help. Braces can really help you maintain proper knee alignment and the support that they provide can really help reduce your knee pain.

Take Painkillers but Only When Needed

Painkillers can be addictive and cause a tolerance in the system. Moreover, pain killers can hurt your stomach. You should only take this kind of medication when absolutely necessary and if the pain is unbearable.

Wear a Knee Brace

A knee brace will support your knee by helping to keep it straight. Although even walking can be painful, becoming inactive because of osteoarthritis can worsen the condition. An affordable and low profile brace can help keep your knee from getting stiff and can help give you instant relief from the pain.

If you believe that you can benefit from pain reduction and increased stability due to the symptoms of osteoarthritis then you should consider a knee support today. Many OA or "unloader" knee supports can be very effective.