Why your knees hurt more in cold weather — and what you can do about it
Many people find that knee pain gets worse in cold weather.
This is thought to be related to the way cold weather changes the condition of the joints and the muscles around them.
If you already have a condition like knee osteoarthritis, symptoms tend to flare up during winter.
With the right warming techniques and self-care, you can expect to ease your winter knee pain.
Less blood reaches the knee area, which is thought to make the muscles and surrounding tissues feel stiffer
In cold weather, the knee may feel as though it is “not gliding well” when you first start moving (the exact mechanism is still not understood)
The thigh and calf muscles become tight, increasing the load on the knee joint
If you have an underlying condition like osteoarthritis, cold weather can bring symptoms to the surface
Many people feel more knee pain on cold days, but the weather alone does not determine pain — the condition of the knee itself and how active you are that day also matter. Combining warmth, moderate exercise, and weight management can help reduce symptoms. However, if pain is severe or you have swelling, you may need treatment for an underlying condition like osteoarthritis. Please consult us early.