The Doctor Is In

Dr Max Pemberton

Q: Dear Dr Max, I hope you can help me. I am in my sixties and have noticed that when I stand up after sitting down, my back, neck and legs are really stiff and achy.

Is this a normal part of ageing or should I be worried? Thank you.

- Mary

A: Dear Mary,

I’m sure there’ll be a lot of readers who can relate to this question.

This kind of ache and stiffness when getting up is, I’m afraid, very common as we get older. It is usually caused by osteoarthritis in the joints. This is a common type of arthritis that happens when the cartilage (the protective cushion in between bones) wears away. Without this protection, the joints become painful and stiff.

Osteoarthritis tends to develop slowly and usually starts during middle age. Losing weight and keeping active can help. Many people find gentle exercise like swimming also helps, as the water supports the joints and avoids putting too much strain on them. If the pain in the joint becomes too severe, then a doctor may consider prescribing painkillers, physiotherapy and, depending on the joint, a steroid injection or surgery is sometimes considered.

There are some other conditions that can cause muscles and joint stiffness and aches. Other types of arthritis and joint conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, can cause pain, although these tend to be more localised to certain joints.

Stiffness can also be caused by some medications, so if you have recently had a change in your medication, then this might be worth exploring with your doctor.

The NHS recommends that someone see their GP if the pain or stiffness lasts for more than two weeks, or if it is starting to affect their ability to do their everyday activities or to sleep.

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