What term describes stiffness or difficulty initiating movement after a period of inactivity in OA?

• A. Morning stiffness
• B. Gelling phenomenon
• C. Crepitus
• D. Swelling

Answer: (B)

Gelling phenomenon describes stiffness that appears after a period of inactivity in osteoarthritis. After resting, the joint can feel stiff and hard to move at the start, but this stiffness eases with continued movement and use. It reflects how lubrication and the mechanical environment of the joint change with inactivity and then improve with activity. This differs from morning stiffness in inflammatory kinds of arthritis, which tends to be more prolonged and responds to warmth or anti-inflammatory effects rather than just movement. Crepitus is the crackling sound that can occur with joint movement, and swelling refers to joint enlargement from fluid or tissue buildup—neither captures the specific stiffness that follows rest.