Knee Stiffness Treatment in Jaipur — Dr. Dheeraj Dubay
Knee stiffness means reduced ability to bend or straighten the knee and can occur with arthritis, inflammation, injury, prolonged inactivity or scar formation after surgery. Evaluation focuses on identifying the cause and measuring functional limitation so treatment can be tailored to the individual patient.
Educational information only. Diagnosis and treatment require an individual orthopedic assessment. Read our medical editorial policy.
24 Years
Orthopedic experience
40,000+ Surgeries
Total surgeries performed
Director
Robotic Joint Replacement Surgery, Shalby Hospital Jaipur
What Causes Knee Stiffness?
Knee stiffness occurs when the normal gliding surfaces of the joint are disrupted, the joint capsule becomes contracted, or surrounding muscles and tendons become tight. It can be a symptom of an underlying condition (arthritis, bursitis) or a complication following surgery or injury. The degree of stiffness ranges from mild "gelling" after rest to complete inability to flex or extend the knee.
Common Causes of Knee Stiffness
- •Osteoarthritis — bone spurs and cartilage loss restrict movement
- •Rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory joint disease
- •Post-surgical stiffness (arthrofibrosis) after knee replacement or ACL surgery
- •Bursitis — fluid-filled sac inflammation reducing joint movement
- •Meniscus tears causing a mechanical block
- •Baker's cyst (popliteal cyst) behind the knee
- •Prolonged immobilisation after fracture or injury
- •Septic arthritis — joint infection causing rapid stiffness
Symptoms
- ⚠Morning stiffness lasting from minutes to over an hour
- ⚠Stiffness after sitting or inactivity ("gelling phenomenon")
- ⚠Reduced range of motion — unable to fully bend or straighten the knee
- ⚠Accompanying pain, swelling, or warmth
- ⚠Clicking, catching, or locking in the knee
- ⚠Difficulty with stairs, getting up from a chair, or walking
Diagnosing the Cause of Knee Stiffness
Range of motion measurement, gait analysis, and targeted investigations help identify the underlying cause.
Treating Knee Stiffness
Non-Surgical Options
- ✓Intensive physiotherapy — key treatment for most cases
- ✓Continuous passive motion (CPM) machine use
- ✓Joint manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) for post-surgical stiffness
- ✓Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
- ✓Hyaluronic acid for arthritic stiffness
- ✓Heat therapy to relax muscles before stretching
- ✓NSAIDs for underlying inflammatory conditions
Surgical Options
- →Arthroscopic arthrolysis — removal of scar tissue and adhesions
- →Manipulation under anaesthesia — for early post-surgical stiffness
- →Knee replacement when arthritis is the primary cause
- →Revision knee replacement if stiffness follows a prior replacement
Dr. Dheeraj Dubay — relevant experience
- ✓24 years of orthopedic experience.
- ✓40,000+ total surgeries performed across his career.
- ✓Director, Robotic Joint Replacement Surgery at Shalby Hospital Jaipur.
- ✓Practice focused on knee and hip replacement, including robotic, computer-navigated and minimally invasive approaches where clinically appropriate.
- ✓Recorded 34 joint replacements in one day on 9 May 2024 — 33 knee replacements and 1 hip replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some stiffness is common early after knee replacement. Range of motion can change over time with swelling control, pain management and rehabilitation. Persistent or severe stiffness should be assessed to identify causes such as scar formation, infection, implant issues or other medical factors before considering additional treatment.
Related Conditions
Need an Orthopedic Assessment?
Book a consultation with Dr. Dheeraj Dubay. Appointments are available at Shalby Hospital Jaipur and Dr. Dubay Hip & Knee Clinic, Vidhyadhar Nagar.
Website information is educational. Diagnosis and treatment recommendations require an individual clinical assessment.