Why Does My Knee Hurt in the Morning?

Morning knee stiffness is very common. It usually happens because the fluid that keeps your joint smooth moves slowly while you sleep, and the muscles around the joint stay still for hours at a stretch.

If the stiffness goes away in 20–30 minutes of walking, it is often mild and simply age- or activity-related. If it stays for hours, or the knee is swollen and hot to the touch, it's time to get it checked properly.

A few simple things help: gentle stretching before getting out of bed, staying at a healthy weight to reduce joint load, and short daily walks to keep the joint fluid moving.

If morning stiffness has been getting worse over months, or is now affecting how you start your day, it's worth a proper assessment rather than waiting it out.