Pain and stiffness that improve with activity and worsen at rest are indicative of what condition?

The symptoms of pain and stiffness that improve with activity and worsen at rest are classic features of ankylosing spondylitis. This condition is a type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine and the sacroiliac joints, leading to pain and rigidity. It is characterized by inflammation, which typically results in worse symptoms during periods of inactivity or rest, particularly in the morning or after prolonged sitting.

As the individual engages in movement or physical activity, there tends to be an improvement in the stiffness and pain, leading to greater mobility. This pattern of symptom fluctuation is a key differentiator when considering ankylosing spondylitis compared to other forms of arthritis, where the pain often worsens with activity rather than improving.

Rheumatoid arthritis, while also involving joint pain and stiffness, tends to show similar or worsening symptoms with activity and is usually associated with symmetrical joint involvement. Osteoarthritis typically presents with pain that worsens with use and impacts functional abilities but does not exhibit the same inflammatory component found in ankylosing spondylitis. Polymyalgia rheumatica involves pain and stiffness in the shoulder and hip girdles, generally affecting older adults, and is also not characterized by the specific pattern of improvement with movement seen in ank