Don’t Treat Stiff Joints Like Squeaky Hinges

Q. I recently learned that an uncle is using WD-40 on his arthritic joints. A friend of his has been doing this for some time. Since my uncle had some in the garage he put it on his knees.
Have you ever heard about this home remedy? Is it safe and effective? I’m a bit concerned about this.
A. Your uncle is certainly not the first to try “lubricating” his joints with a product made for metal mechanisms. It appears to be a popular remedy, but no studies show that it’s effective. And we’re not convinced that it’s safe.
We recently heard from a doctor whose patient developed severe muscle breakdown and had to be hospitalized as a reaction from applying WD-40 to his joints. There is also a case in the medical literature of a woman who developed lung inflammation from inhaling WD-40 by accident when she sprayed it on her sore back.