Stiffness in knee OA is typically of relatively what duration?

Stiffness in knee OA is typically of relatively what duration?

• A. Very long duration
• B. Relatively short duration
• C. No stiffness
• D. Severe morning stiffness

Answer: (B)

Stiffness in knee osteoarthritis tends to be brief, especially after periods of inactivity or first thing in the morning. This short duration reflects the mechanical nature of OA—cartilage wear and joint surface changes cause stiffness, but it’s not driven by sustained inflammation, so the stiffness eases quickly with movement and use. If stiffness were very long or severe in the morning, that pattern would point more toward inflammatory arthritis rather than OA. So, the typical phrasing is that OA stiffness is relatively short in duration.

Stiffness in knee osteoarthritis tends to be brief, especially after periods of inactivity or first thing in the morning. This short duration reflects the mechanical nature of OA—cartilage wear and joint surface changes cause stiffness, but it’s not driven by sustained inflammation, so the stiffness eases quickly with movement and use. If stiffness were very long or severe in the morning, that pattern would point more toward inflammatory arthritis rather than OA. So, the typical phrasing is that OA stiffness is relatively short in duration.