Resolve Your Joint Pain, Stiffness, and Mobility Issues By Contacting Our Orthopedic Specialists Near You
A physiological response is your body’s reaction to stimuli, the environment, and internal factors. For example, being in a smoky room would trigger a natural reaction that includes coughing and watery eyes.
Your body also reacts to what you put in it, such as the nauseated feeling you may experience after eating expired food.
Physiological responses like these happen all the time. They are indicators something is wrong, whether that be an illness, trauma, or your surroundings.
Winter is an interesting time in the advanced orthopedics field because cold weather exposure can trigger intense physiological responses, especially in the elderly and those with chronic orthopedic conditions.
Let’s explore the most common cold weather symptoms that indicate it’s time to contact an orthopedic specialist near you at Mid-America Orthopedics in Wichita.
How Winter Weather Affects the Human Body
Cold weather affects the human body in many ways. For example, prolonged exposure to cold will eventually cause you to shiver, your body’s physiological response that increases metabolic heat production.
Let’s examine other correlations between winter weather and the human body:
- Reduced blood flow: Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to your feet, ankles, hands, and wrists. This decreased circulation can make joints feel stiff and achy.
- Muscle tightening: Muscles contract more in cold weather to generate warmth, which can lead to increased tension and discomfort.
- Barometric pressure drops: Changes in barometric pressure in the winter can cause muscles, tendons, and tissues surrounding joints to expand, leading to increased joint pressure and pain, particularly if you have arthritis.
- Dry air: Dry winter air can affect cartilage health, reducing joint lubrication and causing discomfort during movement, especially if you have advanced arthritis.
- Decreased activity: If you are less active in the winter due to colder temperatures and shorter days, it can lead to muscle weakness and reduced joint flexibility.
The combination of cold weather factors can cause orthopedic conditions to flare up. Reclaim a pain-free life by calling Mid-America Orthopedics at (316) 630-9300 to schedule an appointment.
Common Symptoms Triggered By Cold Weather
Certain orthopedic conditions flare up when exposed to winter weather. Here are the most common symptoms that indicate you require advanced orthopedic treatment.
- Joint pain: Cold weather often aggravates joint pain, particularly if you have arthritis or previous injuries.
- Stiffness: Reduced circulation and muscle tightening can lead to stiffness, causing discomfort and limiting your ability to perform daily activities.
- Numbness and tingling: Constricted blood vessels can lead to a loss of sensation, particularly in your hands and feet.
- Muscle spasms: Cold temperatures can cause your muscles to cramp or spasm, leading to sudden, sharp pain.
- Limited mobility: Pain and stiffness often result in difficulty with movement and decreased range of motion.
These symptoms not only reduce function and quality of life, but they also increase the likelihood of injury. Specifically, slip and falls – which can cause sprains or fractures – are more common among people with pre-existing orthopedic issues, problems with balance, or muscle weakness.
Make an appointment with Mid-America Orthopedics if you’re experiencing pain, stiffness, or mobility issues.
What to Expect From Advanced Orthopedic Care
Working with an orthopedic specialist can help you manage your symptoms, especially during the winter when flare-ups are more common. Here’s what you can expect when you work with our physicians who specialize in advanced orthopedics in Wichita, KS.
Comprehensive Diagnosis
Identifying the root cause of the issue is the first step on the road to recovery. During your initial appointment, your orthopedic specialist will review your medical history, assess your symptoms, and perform an exam, which may include an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. Based on the exam and imaging studies, your physician will provide a diagnosis and relevant treatment options.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Advanced orthopedic care includes tailored treatments that alleviate symptoms like pain and stiffness while improving joint function, mobility, and strength.
These treatments may include:
- Physical therapy: Mid-America Orthopedics has a team of physical therapists who can holistically improve your flexibility, strength, and circulation using targeted exercises.
- Medications: Our advanced orthopedic doctors will advise you on the correct medications and dosages to manage your symptoms, including anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers.
- Injection therapy: Our physicians can provide corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections for patients who have severe joint pain, inflammation, or mobility issues.
- Lifestyle modifications: Our physicians will provide guidance on staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and other lifestyle changes to help alleviate your symptoms.
- Preventive care: Perhaps you’ve managed your symptoms this winter, but what about the challenges that lie ahead? Our orthopedic specialists will provide strategies that reduce symptom flare-ups so that you remain one step ahead of cold weather triggers and other healthcare challenges.
- Surgical solutions: If conservative treatments aren’t effective, surgery may be the best way to permanently resolve your symptoms and restore mobility. Our experienced orthopedic surgeons perform minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery using the most advanced tools and techniques. If necessary, our surgeons can also perform traditional open surgery.
Make an Appointment With Mid-America Orthopedics
Begin your journey to recovery today by contacting our orthopedic specialists near you at Mid-America Orthopedics in Wichita. Call (316) 630-9300 to schedule your appointment.