21 Feb Why Joint Pain Worsens in Winter
Joints often hurt more in the winter due to physical, emotional, and behavioral factors. Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to the extremities, which can lead to stiffness and discomfort, particularly in areas affected by arthritis. The cold can also thicken synovial fluid, lubricating the joints, making it harder for them to move smoothly, and increasing the friction between joint surfaces. Additionally, colder weather is linked to lower mood, which may heighten the perception of pain, especially for those already dealing with conditions like arthritis. Reduced physical activity in the winter due to the chill and gloom also plays a role, as less movement can lead to increased stiffness and discomfort. Combined with less frequent access to healthcare during colder months, these factors can contribute to more pronounced joint pain in the winter.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder starts with noticeable pain or discomfort, which gradually fades, but is often replaced by stiffness. Your risk of developing frozen shoulder increases if you’re recovering from a condition or procedure that limits the mobility of your arm, such as a stroke, mastectomy, or bone fracture.
Fractures Shoulder
Fractures, whether from auto accidents, sports injuries, or falls, can lead to intense, ongoing pain and significantly impact the shoulder’s range of motion.
Treating Shoulder Pain
You don’t have to live with shoulder discomfort, whether chronic pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, or impaired function. The Shoulder Pain Specialist New York at the New York Sports Medicine Institute specializes in diagnosing and treating shoulder injuries and chronic conditions. Whether you’re a high-performance athlete or dealing with age-related issues or injuries, the highly skilled physicians at NYSMI will help develop the best treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Shoulder Injury Services
The Shoulder Pain Specialist New York injury treatments available include:
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff and labral repair surgeries
- Evaluation and treatment of humerus and clavicle fractures
- Total shoulder joint replacement
- Comprehensive care for conditions like tendonitis, arthritis, rotator cuff tears, labral tears, frozen shoulder, impingement, calcium tendinopathy, dislocations, and instability
- Reverse total shoulder replacement
- Open surgery for shoulder instability
- Therapeutic exercises tailored for shoulder recovery
Diagnosis
During the physical exam, your healthcare provider may ask you to move your arm in various directions to assess pain and determine your active range of motion. Next, you might be asked to relax your muscles while the provider moves your arm to evaluate your passive range of motion. Frozen shoulder impacts both active and passive range of motion. While frozen shoulder can typically be diagnosed based on its signs and symptoms, imaging tests like X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI may be used to rule out other potential issues.
Treatment
Shoulder Pain Specialist New York at the New York Sports Medicine Institute has helpful tools and techniques to help with joint pain in the colder months.
- Medications
- Pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) can help alleviate pain and inflammation linked to frozen shoulder. Sometimes, a healthcare provider may prescribe stronger pain medications or anti-inflammatory drugs for more significant relief.
- Exercises
- We can guide you through range-of-motion exercises to help restore shoulder movement. Consistently following these exercises is essential to regain as much mobility as possible.
- Surgical and other procedures
- Steroid injections
- Hydrodilatation
- Shoulder manipulation
- Surgery
Contact
To schedule an appointment with a shoulder pain specialist new york, please get in touch with us at one of the following locations:
- New York City: 212-861-2300
- White Plains: 914-290-4370
- Paramus, NJ: 201-292-8500
Our specialists are ready to help you address your shoulder pain and get you on the path to recovery. Call today to book your consultation.