problems, and many other conditions. What should grab your attention is pain that keeps returning, gets worse over time, or gradually worsens rather than clearing up.
2. Morning Stiffness That Lingers
The amount of time your joints stay stiff after waking up can be a useful clue. Osteoarthritis-related stiffness usually improves within a relatively short window—typically under 30 minutes according to NIAMS. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, often causes stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes, especially after waking or after prolonged rest. The duration alone won’t diagnose either
