The effects of winter cold on joints
Author Dr. Bence Balázs Moravcsik | 2024.01.20.
Why do our joints hurt more in cold weather?
Dr. Bence Balázs Moravcsik, the permanent orthopaedic expert of the Family-friendly Magazine, answered in his professional interview on 15 January 2024 on the show.
Winter cold why does the joint hurt?
The onset of winter often brings with it musculoskeletal problems such as pain and stiffness in the joints, especially the knees. The main reason for this, as we have seen Dr. Bence Balázs Moravcsik an orthopaedic expert, explained that cold weather changes the quality of joint fluid: it becomes thicker, circulation is reduced, making joints stiff and those who are sensitive to it may experience pain.
Who has joint pain in cold weather?
Cold-weather-induced joint stiffness and pain is mainly associated with older people and patients who already have some joint disease. Older patients usually already have cartilage wear or degenerative lesions, making them more prone to cold weather joint pain.
However, the sedentary lifestyle is also leading to the appearance of rheumatological or orthopaedic diseases and joint complaints at an increasingly younger age.
What happens to the joint in cold weather?
- Cool
- The liquid inside becomes denser
- Reduced circulation
- The joint becomes stiff
- The joint starts to hurt
"I can give you an example," explains the orthopaedic expert, "of someone going on a hike and not dressing properly, and the joint can get cold. When the joint is permanently cold, this stiffness and pain can occur. It is important not to expose the joint to extreme heat fluctuations.
How to prevent joint pain?
Regular exercise is also important in winter, and the most important thing is to wear the right clothes to protect your joints. Don't skip sport just because it's cold, but rather do some circulatory movements to help your circulation, and don't overdo it. Fluid intake is also particularly important, which is less important in cold weather - it also helps to prevent joint fluid from building up.
What to do if you have joint pain
The pain may be intermittent and only occur in winter or during cold fronts; the orthopaedic expert says that this is particularly the case if the joint has been damaged in the past.
Depending on the extent of the pain or if it persists, it is worth consulting an orthopaedic and rheumatology specialist, who can help with a range of conservative solutions.