How quickly does physiotherapy relieve joint stiffness?

Stiffness may follow an injury, surgery, arthritis, swelling, reduced activity, or prolonged protection of a joint. A physiotherapist checks movement, strength, swelling, balance, and how the joint affects ordinary tasks. Treatment may combine mobility exercises, strengthening, activity practice, and advice about pacing. A joint can feel temporarily more uncomfortable after exercise, but a strong flare that does not settle means the programme may need adjustment.

Attend the assessment with a list of activities that feel restricted, such as dressing, climbing stairs, or gripping. Perform the prescribed movements regularly and slowly, stopping short of sharp pain. Change position during the day and increase activity in small steps rather than testing the joint with a sudden heavy load. Tell the therapist about swelling, locking, giving way, or symptoms in another joint so the plan matches the whole problem.

Seek urgent care for a hot, swollen joint with fever, a major injury with deformity, a suddenly locked joint, or inability to bear weight when that is new. Prompt assessment is also sensible when swelling rapidly increases, pain is severe at rest, or several joints become stiff with a general illness. Physiotherapy should follow, not replace, evaluation of these features.

What is limiting my joint movement? How should I measure progress: range, strength, or daily function? Which exercises are safe during a flare? When would imaging or a different treatment be considered?