Winter months can be a difficult time for patients with arthritis or any kind of joint pain. Joint pain, especially in the knees, can exacerbate under cold temperatures and cause, stiffness, swelling, and soreness in the area.
Why Is Cold Associated With Knee Pain?
The reason for low temperatures causing pain in joints is unclear. However, there are a few possible explanations. Barometric pressure, which is a measurement of the weight of the air usually drops as the temperature falls, reducing the pressure on the muscles and tendons and causing them to swell. Lifestyle changes such as less physical activity, the kind of food we eat can also have an impact on this condition.
Why Are Some People More Susceptible To Knee Pain Than Others?
While joint pain in winters is common across all adults, some people can be more susceptible to knee pain more than others. This can be due to prior health conditions, injuries, or age-related problems.
The Dos
Stay Warn
To reduce the risk of cold reaching your body, it is important to dress in layers and protect yourself and your knees from getting cold. Applying heated pads can also help with reducing swelling and provide instant relief from pain.
Use A Walking Aid
If you are experiencing pain and discomfort while standing and walking, it is better to use a walking aid such as a crutch or wheelchair for a short period of time. This can help to alleviate pain as well as give your knees time to recuperate.
Get Enough Sleep
Not getting enough or quality sleep can also hamper your ability to resist cold. In winter, we tend to sleep more and that might also work in favour of your knees taking a break.
Do Light Exercises
It is also important to stimulate the muscles through mild workout activities. Light jogging and stretching exercising can help to alleviate pain and improve the range of motion of the joint.
Reduce Weight
Obesity is one of the reasons for knee joint injuries. Since the knee supports the overall weight of the body, it can be helpful to lose weight as that can lessen the strain on the joint.
The Don’ts
Don’t Wear Poorly Fitted Shoes
Ill-fitted shoes or high heels can be extremely detrimental to the knee joint. For any activity try to wear flats or comfortable running shoes. Those might help provide comfort and support to your posture and minimize the strain of the joints.
Avoid Unnecessary Strain On Your Knee Joint
Avoid engaging in activities that might be too strenuous for your knees to handle. When your knees are in pain, you should try to rest them more often and do as little activity as possible.
Don’t Stay Inside
In winters, staying inside your house all day might seem like a great way to stave off the cold. However, it is also extremely crucial to get out in the sun and get some vitamin D. A vitamin D deficiency can make you more likely to experience joint pain in winters and is one of the causes of osteoporosis. An hour in the sun can be sufficient to get a good amount of vitamin D though you should also make sure to eat a healthy diet along with that.
When Should You Consult A Doctor?
While discomfort in knees and other joints is common in winters for most people, you should consider consulting an orthopedic if you experience other complications along with the pain like unusual swelling, redness, stiffness, limited range of motion due to pain. Constant and severe pain in the knee joint could become a more serious issue if untreated. Book your appointment with Dr Debashish Chanda at Saqsham ortho in Gurgaon today.
