Manage Joint Pain In Winter

Manage Joint Pain In Winter

All those living with arthritis of the joints would have felt the pain increase as the temperature drops.

Arthritic joints become more irritable, rigid and painful in winters than in summers. Our joints are a

complex structure of bones joined together, with cartilage acting as a cushion between the edges,

ligaments connecting the bones and muscles supporting the entire structure. For overall joint health, it

is important to keep all its components as healthy as possible. With age-related breakdown of the

cartilage, it is all the more important to take care of the joints during winters.

Joint pain increases in winters due to:

In winters, blood circulation to the joints is reduced as the body pumps warm blood to the

heart. This makes the joints more painful and stiff.

Our threshold for pain decreases in winters as our nerve endings become more sensitive in

colder temperatures. This is why even a minor injury causes intense pain.

Activity levels go down drastically in winters as most elderly people prefer to stay indoors,

leading to stiff joints.

Due to these factors, arthritic and inflammatory conditions can exacerbate joint pain in winters. Extra

measures need to be taken to loosen your joints, strengthen your muscles, increase blood circulation

and keep the joints hydrated for a smooth winter. If you are experiencing severe joint pain, visit

an Apollo Clinic near you to get your knees examined.

Dr. Pradeep A. Ingale, MBBS, MS (ORTHO), Nigdhi from Apollo Clinic gives you six tips you should follow

before winter sets in.

Exercise - Exercising helps increase blood circulation and enables warm blood to reach all parts

of the body including joints. As much as we need to increase physical activity in winters, we tend

to become more sedentary as the cold keeps us from venturing out. Don’t give up exercising in

winters as regular exercise is important to keep the muscles strong and healthy.

Diet - The importance of balanced diet cannot be underestimated. Eat a well balanced diet

comprising fruits, vegetables, pulses, cereals and dairy products. This is vital to ensure the

overall health and well-being of the entire body, joints and muscles. Patients experiencing knee

pain also need a good dose of vitamins like vitamin D, C and K to keep the bones and cartilage

well nourished. A deficiency of vitamins can manifest itself in the form of joint pain and even

inflammation.

Water - We often underestimate the importance of water in maintaining joint health. The

cartilage, a semi-soft tissue between the joints, has to be hydrated and full of fluid.

Wear knee supports - Knee supports help hold the weak joint. Talk to an orthopaedic specialist

at Apollo Clinics who can recommend good knee braces that can be worn to provide more

support and stability.

Physiotherapy - Physiotherapy is usually recommended for patients of osteoarthritis as it helps

keep the muscles and leg nerves strong and the joints flexible. In winters, when joint stiffness

increases, physiotherapy and heat ensure greater mobility and lesser pain.

Apollo hospitals: http://www.apollohospitals.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HospitalsApolloYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/apollohospitalsindiaFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheApolloHospitalsSlideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/Apollo_HospitalsLinkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/company/apollo-hospitalsBlog:Blog: http://www.letstalkhealth.in/