In the cold, it is common to notice an increase in pain throughout the body, especially in the joints. Although hands and wrists are often top of mind when it comes to stiffness, shoulders and elbows are also significantly impacted by colder temperatures. Tendinitis, arthritis, limited movement and chronic pain can intensify during winter.

According to orthopedist Mauricio Raffaelli, a shoulder and elbow specialist for 22 years, the cold can contribute to greater muscle and joint stiffness, making previously controlled symptoms become more noticeable in everyday life.

Below, the orthopedist presents the main reasons why the cold can worsen joint discomfort. Check it out!

1. The cold can increase joint stiffness right after waking up

During winter, it is common to feel “stuck” in the first hours of the day. Morning stiffness is often seen in the shoulders, elbows and hands, especially in people with inflammatory processes. jointhistory of chronic pain or reduced mobility.

“In the cold, there is a tendency for greater muscle contraction and spontaneous reduction in movements, which favors joint stiffness. Many people report difficulty moving the shoulder and elbow when waking up, a feeling of stiffness and temporary limitation until the body warms up and regains mobility”, explains Mauricio Raffaelli.

2. Shoulder and elbow tendonitis can worsen in winter

Those who live with tendonitis or muscle overload may notice increased pain on cold days. Repetitive movements, inadequate physical effort and lack of body heat contribute to aggravating existing inflammations.

“The shoulder and elbow have tendon structures that are very sensitive to excess effort and inflammation. In winter, discomfort tends to increase because the muscles are less relaxed, the body moves less and the patient tends to notice more pain during simple activities”, says the orthopedist.

3. Arthritis can be more uncomfortable in cold temperatures

Although cold does not cause arthritis, patients with inflammatory diseases You may notice a worsening of symptoms at this time of year. Increased pain perception and stiffness often interfere with basic tasks and reduce physical stamina.

“Patients with arthritis often report feeling stiffer and more painful joints during cold periods. Winter is not the cause of the disease, but it can increase discomfort, functional limitation and perception of pain, especially in the shoulders and elbows”, explains Mauricio Raffaelli.

4. Chronic pain tends to become more evident when the body moves less

In the cold months, many people reduce exercise, sit longer and avoid movement. This decrease in physical activity It can lead to loss of mobility and worsening of persistent pain.

“When the patient reduces movement due to fear of pain or discomfort, the opposite of what they imagine happens: stiffness increases, muscles weaken and joints begin to suffer even more. Guided movement is an important part of the treatment”, advises the doctor.

Combing your hair, putting on clothes, driving or reaching for objects above your head can become painful tasks when there is shoulder limitation. Tendinitis, bursitis and inflammatory conditions tend to become more noticeable at low temperatures.

“The shoulder requires breadth of movement too large and any inflammatory process becomes more evident when the patient reduces mobility or becomes more tense due to the cold. Pain when raising the arm or difficulty sleeping on the affected side deserves attention”, says Mauricio Raffaelli.

6. The elbow can also give silent warning signals

Elbow pain does not always appear only after intense exertion. Repetitive activities at the computer, gym or household chores can trigger or aggravate conditions such as epicondylitis, especially when added to winter stiffness.

“Many people think that elbow pain only happens to those who play sports, but that’s not true. Repetitive use associated with muscle tension and cold can increase painful processes and make simple everyday movements difficult”, highlights the orthopedist.

Prevention and early care make a difference

Waiting for the pain to become disabling is a common mistake. Stretching, strengthening, guided physical activity and medical evaluation before symptoms Persistent treatment helps prevent worsening and chronicity of joint conditions.

“Persistent pain should not be normalized. The sooner we evaluate limitation, loss of strength, inflammation or stiffness, the greater the chances of controlling symptoms and avoiding worsening. The objective is to maintain quality of life and preserve movement”, concludes Mauricio Raffaelli.

By Sarah Carvalho