AskDocDoc
FREE!Ask Doctors — 24/7
Connect with Doctors 24/7. Ask anything, get expert help today.
500 doctors ONLINE
#1 Medical Platform
Ask question for free
00H : 12M : 16S
background image
Click Here
background image
Bone and Orthopedic Conditions
Question #17225
80 days ago
130

arthritis caused by - #17225

Aditi

I am dealing with this annoying discomfort and I'm trying to figure out if my arthritis caused by my last hiking trip is a thing or just my imagination. I went on this long hike last month, thought I was super fit and all, but I guess my knees didn't think the same. Ever since I came back, I've felt this nagging pain in my joints, which I think might be arthritis caused by the strain from that trip. Like, is it normal for arthritis caused by sudden activity to just pop up like that? I’ve read some stuff online and it said that strenuous exercise can trigger arthritis caused by previous injuries, and now I'm starting to worry this might be serious. Is there any chance I could’ve messed something up? Sometimes it feels worse when I wake up and I don’t know if I should be resting it more or should I keep moving. A friend said they think I could manage it with some physical therapy. Is arthritis caused by physical activity something I should just accept, or is it reversible? Just feels like a lot to deal with. Thanks for any insights!

FREE
Question is closed
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential.
No sign-up needed.
CTA image asteriksCTA image

Doctors' responses

The discomfort you’re experiencing after your hiking trip might not be arthritis in the traditional sense, but rather a response from your joints due to abrupt physical activity. That’s pretty common, especially if your body wasn’t fully conditioned for that level of exertion. It’s less likely you’ve developed arthritis purely from a single event like hiking acutely, but rather what you’re describing sounds more like overuse—leading to things like tendinitis, bursitis, or just muscle strain which can all feel pretty similar to arthritis. These symptoms often present with joint stiffness or pain, noticeably worse after periods of inactivity, like waking up in the morning, which is what you’re noticing.

Arthritis itself is often a chronic condition and can be influenced by previous injuries, but if you haven’t had notable knee injuries in the past, it’s worth considering that this might be more related to muscular strain or even tendon issues (something like patellar tendinitis for example if your knees were involved). It’s indeed possible that hiking put unusual stress on your knees, leading to inflammation but it’s also reversible if addressed correctly.

Considering management: initially, rest is essential along with supportive measures like ice, compression and elevation (RICE strategy), as well as using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as needed for pain and swelling. However, completely avoiding movement isn’t ideal, rather engage in gentle range-of-motion exercises. Physical therapy sounds like a smart recommendation and can help to strengthen the surrounding muscles, improving joint support. Proper assessment by a healthcare professional is critical if symptoms persist or worsen, as they can rule out other issues, like cartilage problems, which can become more serious if ignored. Remember to ease back into activity and pay close attention to knee-friendly practices. Stay observant and if changes don’t occur, connecting with an orthopedic specialist might be the next step.

16226 answered questions
86% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously

Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.

About our doctors

Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.


Related questions