As the weather turns colder, many patients tell Mr Kosuge that their hip or knee feels stiffer and more painful. It is one of the most common observations in the clinic through autumn and winter. So is it real and does the cold actually harm an arthritic joint? The answer is reassuring and there are practical things that help.
The cold does not damage your joints
First, the important point. Cold weather does not cause arthritis and it does not make the underlying joint damage worse. The arthritis is not progressing faster because it is December. What changes is how the joint feels, not the state of the joint itself. That distinction matters, because it means the discomfort can be managed.
Why joints often feel worse in winter
There are several likely reasons. Cold tends to make muscles and soft tissues tighten, which can make a stiff joint feel stiffer. Some people are sensitive to changes in barometric pressure, which fall with cold, damp weather. Just as importantly, we tend to move less in winter. We walk less, stay indoors and sit for longer and a joint that is not moving regularly stiffens and aches. Lower activity also means less of the gentle exercise that keeps the surrounding muscles strong.
What helps
Keeping warm genuinely helps the joint feel more comfortable, so layer up and keep the affected joint warm. More useful still is to keep moving. Regular gentle activity, even indoors, keeps the joint supple and the muscles working. Swimming in a warm pool, an exercise bike, or simple home exercises all count. A warm bath or shower can ease morning stiffness and keeping your weight and general fitness steady over winter pays off in spring.
When it is more than the weather
If your hip or knee pain is there regardless of the season, if it is disturbing your sleep, or if it is steadily limiting what you can do, then the weather is not the whole story. That is worth having assessed properly rather than waiting for warmer months. An accurate diagnosis gives you a clear plan, whether that involves exercise, injections or, in time, surgery.
Arranging an assessment
Mr Kosuge will examine the joint, review any imaging and set out the options honestly. To arrange a consultation at The Rivers Hospital, High Wych Road, Sawbridgeworth CM21 0HH, use the online booking page or call 01279 602675.
Telephone: 01279 602675