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JOINT HEALTH
painWeathering the
When temperatures drop, don’t let joint
pain ruin your day.
DO YOUR KNEES let you know when a few extra minutes to stretch before INJURY
a cold snap is coming? It’s not an old you go,” Dr. Dumpe says. “Try a couple INTERVENTION
wives’ tale—the weather really does affect different stretches on your own and figure
your joints. Doctors believe changes in out what works for you.” “When the temperature drops, we
atmospheric pressure are partly to blame, see a lot of sprains and strains of
while part of the problem may be that you Dr. Dumpe recommends warming up the knee, ankle and shoulder,” says
don’t want to move around or be active your muscles before you stretch. Take a few Jarrod Dumpe, MD, orthopedic
when it isn’t nice outside. minutes and walk around your house to trauma surgeon at Orthopaedic
warm up first. Then, try these: Trauma Institute, Navicent Health.
“When the temperatures drop, it’s harder »» Hamstring stretch—Sit with one leg “For serious injuries like broken
to get going in the morning, and everything bones, you should seek emergency
just seems to take a little longer,” says Jarrod straight in front of you and the other care. But many mild sprains and
Dumpe, MD, orthopedic trauma surgeon tucked in at a right angle. Lean forward strains can be treated at home.”
at Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, Navicent from the hips, reaching toward your foot,
Health. “As we age, most people lose joint and hold. Repeat on the other side. Dr. Dumpe recommends anti-
fluid and our tendons and ligaments stiffen. »» Calf stretch—With your hands
All of that can cause pain, and arthritis supporting you against a wall, stand in a inflammatory medications such as
makes things worse.” lunge, one leg bent and the other straight
behind you. Hold, pressing your hips ibuprofen or naproxen. He also
There are a lot of ways to treat joint forward. Repeat on the other side.
stiffness and pain, including anti- »» Quadricep stretch—With one hand, hold advises the use of ice, rather than
inflammatory medications, heat therapy, your opposite foot behind you and pull
and over-the-counter joint sleeves or your heel toward your buttocks. Repeat heat, as heat can increase swelling.
braces. One of the most effective methods, on the other side.
according to Dr. Dumpe, is stretching. “We all think we should be able to
CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR JOINT
STRETCH IT OUT HEALTH? ORTHOPAEDIC TRAUMA bounce back, but as we age and lose
INSTITUTE, NAVICENT HEALTH
“If you know the weather affects you, and CAN HELP. LEARN MORE AT cartilage, we have to give ourselves
you’re going grocery shopping or doing WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG/OTI.
something else that involves moving, take more time to heal,” Dr. Dumpe says.
“Let your body be your guide—and
go see your doctor if things don’t
continue getting better.”
WINTER 2017 | navicenthealth.org 11
