I am also in a flare up and it's affecting my hip joints also..last night I put lidocaine patches on both sides of hips ..sleeping on my side was less painful..hope it helps you if you try it.. Carolann
May 28
Dealing with thigh and leg joint pain during an RA flare is really tough, but warm compress therapy is a great go-to for relief. Here are some effective ways to apply moist heat to that area:
- Warm bath or shower — Soak for 10–15 minutes and make small gentle movements while in the water to help loosen the joint
- Moist Show Full Answer
Dealing with thigh and leg joint pain during an RA flare is really tough, but warm compress therapy is a great go-to for relief. Here are some effective ways to apply moist heat to that area:
- Warm bath or shower — Soak for 10–15 minutes and make small gentle movements while in the water to help loosen the joint
- Moist heating pad — Moist heat penetrates more deeply than dry heat and reaches peak effectiveness within 20–60 seconds of application
- DIY moist heat pack — Wet a towel, place it in a sealed plastic bag, microwave it, then wrap in a second dry towel before applying
- Heating blanket — Great for warming the whole body, which can help reduce overall RA pain
Leave heat on for about 20 minutes at a time. Always check that the compress isn't too hot before applying it directly to your skin. If heat alone isn't cutting it, alternating between cold and heat can also help. Try cold for 10 minutes, wait a few minutes, then apply heat for 10–20 minutes. Cold can help reduce inflammation and dull pain, while heat relaxes the muscles around the joint.
As one myRAteam member put it, "I've had so many flares, I've lost count — and that's when the prednisone, ice, or heat help."
If your flare is severe or lasting, it's always worth reaching out to your rheumatologist. They may adjust your medications or suggest additional treatments to get things back under control.
May 26
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