Does Cold Weather Make Osteoarthritis Worse
You've probably heard someone say before that they can feel the weather changing in their bones, such as an upcoming storm, rain, or cold spell. At the time, you may not have taken this claim seriously and considered it a mere coincidence if the prediction became true. However, it’s worth taking a closer look at this topic by asking the question whether cold and damp weather makes certain health conditions, such as osteoarthritis, worse.
Find out whether this is the case by reading this blog post. You will also learn about osteoarthritis in general and how to manage it, particularly when outside temperatures drop.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is characterized by gradually worsening symptoms, such as joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and sometimes a grinding or cracking sound. Joints that are in constant use are typically the most affected, including the knees, hips, hands, and spine. These symptoms develop because this health condition causes cartilage to be broken down, which normally protects your bones from friction, impact, and direct contact in the joints.
While osteoarthritis is most common among older adults, due to wear and tear over time, others develop the condition because of injuries, obesity, and repetitive joint stress. The condition is not only uncomfortable but also interferes with a person’s everyday life, since it can make walking, household chores, personal care, driving, and even working to earn a living difficult.
Does Cold Weather Make Osteoarthritis Worse
According to anecdotal evidence, cold, damp weather makes osteoarthritis worse. A study conducted among patients living with osteoarthritis in six European countries found that approximately 67% of participants observe worsening symptoms as soon as outside temperatures drop, or when it begins to rain.
One reason this uncomfortable phenomenon may occur is the change in air pressure that comes with weather changes. This can cause joints and their surrounding tissues to expand or contract. Additionally, muscles and ligaments may become stiff and inflexible due to the cold, while increased humidity may also increase stiffness and swelling in already inflamed joints. Other contributing factors may include reduced physical activity on cold and rainy days, as well as mood-related changes in pain perception.
Some people with osteoarthritis are also more sensitive to weather changes than others. For example, some experience typical symptoms like stiffness and pain even before the weather changes, while others are barely affected. Despite the overwhelming anecdotal evidence, researchers have been unable to confirm this phenomenon scientifically due to mixed study results. Therefore, no strong direct cause-and-effect relationship has been established so far.
Managing Osteoarthritis in Cold Weather
If you have osteoarthritis, dressing warmly, using gloves, joint protection, and heating pads, as well as cold packs and hot baths, can help you ease your symptoms during cold weather. You can also support your joint health by engaging in low-impact exercise, whether outside or indoors on chilly and rainy days. Apart from other lifestyle adjustments, such as losing weight, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating a healthy diet, medications, such as ibuprofen, Celebrex, and Monovisc injections, may also be prescribed.
Some patients may also benefit from physical or occupational therapy, massage or acupuncture, or even supporting aids like braces, orthotics, or canes. In severe cases, your doctor may discuss surgical options with you like a realignment of your bones, smoothing of damaged cartilage, or joint replacement.
