Loss of motion in a joint (or joints) is most commonly due to arthritis. The loss can be slow, gradual and even imperceptible. As a surgeon, I often see patients who don't even realize that they have lost some motion or mobility in a joint until I point it out to them. Pretty amazing. (Any motion loss should always be checked out by a health professional such as an orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine specialist.)

Other causes of motion loss include injury or surgery. Some individuals are more prone to develop scar tissue in their joints, a condition known as arthrofibrosis. Scar tissue is part of the normal healing process, but for reasons that we do not fully understand, some folks overproduce adhesions or scarring, resulting in major problems.

Also, some joints are more likely to stiffen or lose motion after injury or immobilization. Shoulders and elbows are notorious in this regard. Also the PIP (proximal interphalangeal) joint in your fingers (the knuckle midway in the finger) is more prone to stiffness then the other joints in your hand. When injured, the flexor tendons on the palm side of the hand are much more prone to adhesions and scarring than the extensor tendons on the opposite (or dorsal) side of the hand. No one can explain why these joints or structures are at higher risk -- they just are.

Once you lose motion in a joint, it can be challenging or sometimes impossible to regain it. Physical therapy and/or surgery are sometimes needed.

Prevention is so important when it comes to avoiding joint motion loss. Most orthopedic surgeons will now try early protected range of motion exercises after surgery or injury. We even avoid long periods of immobilization or casting whenever possible. For those with arthritis, gentle ROM exercises and stretching are essential.

If you think one or more of your joints is losing mobility (or just feeling stiff) get it checked earlier rather than later.