Arthritis pain exacerbation during winter is a common experience for many of the millions of individuals living with this condition. Various factors contribute to the increased discomfort during colder months, while treatments like stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and steroid injections offer potential relief without invasive procedures.

Causes of Winter Arthritis Pain

While arthritis pain is common all throughout the year, it can seem more aggressive during the winter months. This occurs for several reasons, including the following factors:

  • Barometric Pressure Changes: Cold weather often accompanies changes in barometric pressure, affecting joint fluid thickness. This can lead to increased stiffness and discomfort, particularly in arthritic joints.
  • Temperature Sensitivity: Cold temperatures can cause joint tissues to contract, leading to increased pain perception, stiffness and reduced mobility.
  • Reduced Physical Activity: Colder weather may discourage outdoor activities and exercise, leading to decreased joint flexibility and increased stiffness.
  • Seasonal Weight Gain: The holiday season and colder weather can lead to weight gain, exerting additional pressure on weight-bearing joints and exacerbating arthritis symptoms.

Regardless of the cause, if arthritis joint pain becomes worse in the winter, there are effective options to reduce discomfort and facilitate better mobility.

Therapeutic Approaches for Relief

While there is no cure for arthritis, medical advancements, especially in the field of regenerative medicine, can offer relief by reducing inflammation and encouraging healing. Some of the possible procedures for arthritis relief include:

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy involves injecting concentrated stem cells into affected joints, aiming to promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation. Stem cells have the potential to regenerate damaged tissues, reduce inflammation and potentially slow down disease progression, offering relief from arthritis symptoms.

PRP Injections

PRP injections utilize platelet-rich plasma derived from the patient’s blood, containing growth factors that promote tissue healing and reduce inflammation. PRP injections can stimulate tissue regeneration, reduce pain and improve joint function by fostering the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Steroid Injections

Steroid injections involve injecting corticosteroids directly into inflamed joints to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Steroid injections provide rapid relief by reducing inflammation, offering temporary pain relief for individuals experiencing acute arthritis flare-ups.

Advantages of Regenerative Therapies

Stem cell therapy and PRP injections offer non-surgical alternatives to traditional arthritis treatments, reducing the need for invasive procedures. Regenerative therapies aim to promote tissue healing and regeneration, addressing the underlying causes of arthritis pain. While individual responses vary, these therapies hold promise for long-term relief by targeting joint damage and inflammation. Plus, there is no limit on the number of treatments, unlike steroid injections that can only be performed a few times a year.

Winter often intensifies arthritis symptoms due to temperature changes, reduced physical activity and other related factors. Treatments like stem cell therapy, PRP injections and steroid injections offer potential relief by targeting inflammation, promoting tissue repair and alleviating joint pain. Our orthopedic surgeon and team at Steven Struhl, MD – Stem Cell Therapy NYC can recommend the most suitable treatment plan tailored to individual needs and the severity of arthritis symptoms. Contact the office of Dr. Steven Struhl in NYC to schedule an arthritis pain consultation for relief this winter.