How Does Cold Weather Affect My Knee Injury?

If you have a knee injury, you may notice that the cold weather intensifies the pain. You’re not alone.

Many people with knee issues experience significant knee discomfort during cold seasons.

Why does it happen?

The drop in temperature causes a number of changes in your knee and the structures surrounding it.

Before the cold temperature occurs, there’s normally a drop in barometric pressure. This causes fluids within your joints to expand, placing pressure on your nerves and in turn, pain.

Colder months may also come with high humidity that can significantly impact the structures within the bone and cartilage. Your nerves can also be more sensitive at this point, significantly increasing your discomfort.

The cold can also cause the joint fluid to get thicker, making it harder to flow efficiently. This leads to knee stiffness and pain.

How to reduce knee pain during the winter season?

While you can’t totally eliminate the knee pain during winter, there are ways to alleviate it:

• Try to keep yourself warm as possible
Wear warm clothes, heat up your car before your drive, and use electric blankets as needed. The warmth can reduce the effects of cold weather to your knees.

• Use compression bands
Compression bands can improve your knee stability and help minimize the swelling.

• Stay active
Resist the temptation to just sit around and do nothing. Inactivity during cold seasons also contributes to knee stiffness and pain.

• See a specialist
If the pain persists and worsens, seeing a specialist is your best choice.

Our doctors at Ozark Orthopaedics can evaluate your condition and diagnose the underlying cause of pain. From there, we can recommend the most suitable intervention for you.

You can set an appointment by calling us at (479) 521-2752.

Don’t let the cold keep you from enjoying the festivities that come with this season. We can help.