Cold temperatures may cause pain in a significant number of patients with orthopedic implants.
The fluids and gases that occur in spaces between knee joints tend to expand with barometric/air pressure changes in the environment. This expansion results in increased pressure on nerves causing inflammation and pain in knee joints.
“When it's cold outside, it's more difficult for blood to circulate to our extremities, which can result in pain receptors becoming more sensitive,” said Dr. Tuvi Mendel of Quad City-based Orthopaedic Specialists.
When air pressure drops, it causes the gases and fluids in your joints to expand, which can press on surrounding nerves and cause pain. Colder temperatures can also shrink the tissues in our joints like our knees and hips, which can cause them to pull on the nerve endings and cause joint pain.
Before it rains, barometric pressure tends to decrease. When this happens, there's less air pressure exerting itself on your body, which may allow muscles, tendons and other tissue surrounding the joints to expand. The expansion may crowd the joints, putting extra pressure on them, which may lead to pain.
It depends on the knee replacement
A total knee replacement patient is typically looking at a one year recovery period for things to fully settle down. I should stress that doesn't mean you'll be living with constant pain for a year. But the occasional twinge or moment of discomfort could well last 12 months.
Circulation and blood flow
In the cold, the normal blood flow to your knees can get re-routed away from your legs to your vital organs like your heart and lungs. This is you bodies normal response to cold environments to keep warm. It takes warmth away from your joints which can make your joints ache more.
Heat helps loosen tight muscles and joints and relieves pain and muscle spasms. If you have swelling, it's best to use ice for 24 hours, then switch to heat. If swelling isn't a problem, it's fine to use heat when you first notice knee pain.
Studies have shown that cold weather can affect both inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis. With winter in full swing, cold weather pain and arthritis can be uncomfortable and affect your quality of life. The cold doesn't cause arthritis, but it can increase joint pain, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Health Problems from Metal Ions: Metal-on-metal hips have raised other concerns, including potential harm from cobalt and chromium ions released into the bloodstream. These are associated with a range of potential health problems including cancer, neurological difficulties and thyroid and heart disease.
If it ever feels like your implant is sensitive to hot or cold, you need to contact your dentist right away. That is always the first step because there could be a larger problem, which could lead to more pain, additional tooth loss, or even implant failure.
Pain Near The Affected Implant
Pain and discomfort likely indicates infection below the dental implant, which may be causing inflammation around the site. If your implant is causing you oral pain, call or come in right away to have the implant site assessed by an expert.
It is still possible to have arthritis after knee replacement surgery. However, people who need the surgery are less likely to experience pain from arthritis after they recover from the procedure.
This is normal during the early stages of recovery, as the knee experiences swelling which causes temporary stiffness. This should begin to subside within the first month or so after the operation; if it continues to feel stiff or if the stiffness gets worse, contact your surgeon.
Barring any complications, most patients are able to return to most normal activities and walk without the need of assistive devices between three to six weeks after surgery. Overall, it usually takes two to three months to make a complete recovery from a minimally invasive knee replacement.
Should I use a heating pad or ice packs? Ice can be used to help relieve pain, but can be harmful if left on too long (more than 20 minutes). The use of heat is not recommended for six weeks after surgery.
The best sleeping position for knee pain is on your back, ideally with your leg elevated. Sleeping with your knees up using a leg wedge pillow can help improve blood flow, take pressure off the knee, and relieve knee pain when trying to sleep.
Knee pain may be caused by overexertion. When it is, it's called runner's knee, even though it's not always caused by running. In these cases, it's usually resolved by resting. Knee pain may also be caused by chronic conditions like bursitis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Knee pain may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions — including arthritis, gout and infections — also can cause knee pain. Many types of minor knee pain respond well to self-care measures. Physical therapy and knee braces also can help relieve pain.
“People with normal, healthy knees usually don't get pain at night,” he says. “There's typically a reason, and it's often because they have arthritis, commonly osteoarthritis.” Osteoarthritis is mechanical in nature, caused by wear-and-tear on the joints as well as the cartilage and tendons associated with the joints.
While cold weather doesn't cause arthritis, it can exacerbate aches and pains. According to the Arthritis Foundation, frigid temperatures can heighten pain sensitivity, slow blood circulation and cause muscle spasms.
According to Professor Karen Walker-Bone, professor of occupational rheumatology at the University of Southampton, people with osteoarthritis generally prefer warm and dry weather, while those with rheumatoid arthritis tend to prefer the cooler weather.
The first week after a total knee replacement can be the toughest time period of the entire recovery process.