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Dr Laurent Grange (Rheumatologist)
The cold is well and truly installed throughout France. With falling temperatures, joint pain also sometimes awakes. How to try to limit them? Advice from Dr Laurent Grange, rheumatologist at the Grenoble Alpes University Hospital and member of the Doctissimo expert committee.
Joint pain that wakes up with the cold. Myth or reality ?
“There is no scientific basis to support this theory.” explains first of all Dr. Grange, who recalls that the Academy of Medicine had considered the question a few years ago and came to this conclusion.
“However, it is something that patients tell us about: 70% of them, especially those affected by osteoarthritis, mention a variation in their pain depending on the weather, it is an observation. There is even talk of a frog in the joint, in reference to the animal capable of predicting the weather the next day the day before.“adds the doctor.
A few clues but no real explanation
What are the leads that could explain this feeling shared by so many patients? “Difficult to explain” says Dr. Grange, “variations in barometric pressure could explain this, there are baroreceptors on chondrocytes, cartilage cells… Maybe the increase in humidity in the air and the cold have something to do with it too“explains the specialist.
To avoid feeling the effects of the climate on your joints, here are some tips from Dr. Grange:
- Avoid going out in very cold weather;
- Do not stay still all day: do gentle gymnastic exercises, stretching, etc. For osteoarthritis of the fingers, mobilize the hand with a foam ball;
- Cover up well if you absolutely have to go out;
- Heat his joints with heaters, hot water bottles;
- For those who can, spend the winter in a region where the winter is less harsh.