Southern Summers & Joint Pain: How Heat & Humidity Impact Your Bones

Southern Summers & Joint Pain: How Heat & Humidity Impact Your Bones

Once you reach a “certain age,” it’s not uncommon to feel the cold in your knees, your hips, your hands. If you’ve ever experienced it, you probably don’t doubt that cold weather can affect your joint pain. But did you know hot weather can have some serious impacts on your body as well?

Down here in the deep South, we don’t have much extreme cold, but we definitely have a lock on the extreme heat. It may surprise you to learn that our summer heat and humidity can do as much to exacerbate your joint pain as cold weather does. 

The combination of heat and humidity can cause:

• Increased joint pain due to barometric pressure changes, swelling, and potential dehydration. A drop in barometric pressure can cause tissues to expand, increasing joint pain and swelling. 
• Inflammation caused by the increased moisture in the air and resulting fluid retention. 
• Dehydration, caused by extreme heat, can contribute to overall inflammation and exacerbate joint pain. 
• Longer healing time resulting from excessive swelling, for those recovering from orthopedic injuries or surgeries. 

How to cope with joint pain in the summer heat

Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about the summer heat and humidity. But there are several practical steps you can take to limit the pain and discomfort you’re experiencing along with the heat. 

Whether you’re managing ongoing arthritis joint pain or recovering from orthopaedic surgery, you know how important it is to continue with gentle movement and hydration. Summer heat simply requires making a few adjustments:  

• Move your exercise routine indoors. If you have access to a gym, use the treadmill or elliptical machine to replace outdoor walks. Or substitute a stationary or recumbent cycle for a traditional bicycle. The important thing is to maintain your activity level without exposing yourself to excessive heat.
• Stay hydrated. Even if you already drink a significant amount of water, you should consider increasing your intake during the summer heat. Dehydration can reduce the synovial fluid that lubricates and cushions the joints and cause cartilage to lose its elasticity and become more prone to damage, potentially leading to joint pain.
• Restrict your outdoor activity to cooler parts of the day. If there are things that must be done outside, consider shifting those activities to the early morning or early evening hours when temperatures – and humidity – tend to be lower. 

Consult with a specialist to maximize your summer without pain.

If you find yourself dealing with aches, pains, or injuries this summer – or you simply want to be sure you’re able to engage in all your favorite activities during the heat of summer –  you might also want to consider a visit to a specialist at DOC Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. 

Since 1972, these specialists have been committed to providing exceptional orthopaedic care through innovative techniques, quality services, patient communication, and education. With specialties ranging from general orthopaedics and physical therapy to sports medicine and more, the doctors at DOC Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine can provide local expert guidance to avoid injury, as well as any necessary care for any orthopaedic disorder or injury to help keep your outdoor activities healthy and pain free.