Cold Weather Worries: Bones, Joints, and a Couple of Good Points

Many of us worry about the noticeable parts of our bodies: Extremities, skin, and other main attractions. Yet at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we know that the connections between body parts are often just as important as the parts themselves. Case in point: Joints!

Your joints are critically important to your podiatric health. Unfortunately, certain conditions that afflict the joints, bones, and connective tissue, such as arthritis, become more prevalent in the winter. This is especially true among older populations.

This post is designed to help with all that. In it, we’ll run through some of the more common kinds of arthritis, then give you some ideas for how to handle them.

Arthritis: 3 Ways to Ache

Arthritis is a broad term referring to inflammation or pain in your joints, and there are many varieties. However, when it comes to podiatry, arthritis often falls into three categories:

• Osteoarthritis, which damages cartilage within joints. The erosion of cartilage will deplete the protective cushioning and space between bones, and that will lead to the bones rubbing together, forming spurs.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis, a chronic autoimmune variant that moves from the lower extremities to other parts of your body.

• Gout, which typically occurs within the joint of the big toe. Gout is acutely painful and relates to elevated levels of uric acid in the body. Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other factors can contribute to its likelihood.

All of these conditions worsen in cold weather due to pressure changes, and they don’t improve over time without treatment. However, with proper management and the help of an expert DPM, you can effectively manage all three of these conditions. A nutritious diet, weight loss, exercise, and proper hydration are all good ways to start! You might also consider custom orthotics.

At PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center, we’ve got you covered, whatever your foot or ankle issue might be. Each day in our South Windsor and Enfield, CT offices, we treat problems from the complex to the commonplace. Expert DPMs Kristen Winters, Laura Vander Poel, Matthew Tschudy, Charlotte George, and Rebecca Wiesner look forward to meeting your podiatric needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!