This seasonal flare-up has clear scientific explanations rooted in how the body responds to low temperatures.
Cold weather causes muscles and soft tissues to tighten, making movement stiffer and more painful. At the same time, reduced temperatures lead to the narrowing of blood vessels, which limits the supply of oxygen and essential nutrients to the joints while slowing the removal of metabolic waste. Together, these changes contribute to increased soreness and stiffness. Lower exposure to sunlight during winter months often results in a drop in Vitamin D levels, further weakening bone strength and muscle function. In addition, fluctuations in barometric pressure can cause tissues to expand, triggering pain—particularly in individuals with arthritis or previous injuries.
Dr. Rakesh Rajput,HOD & Director – Orthopaedics, CMRI Kolkata shares why your joints, muscles and back hurt more in winters.
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Doctors report a noticeable rise in patients complaining of winter-related pain flare-ups, highlighting the importance of timely evaluation and guided treatment. For individuals with advanced joint damage or deformities, newer medical infrastructure is offering renewed hope. Kolkata’s first operational private-sector Bone Bank, for instance, has emerged as a major advancement in orthopaedic care.
Such bone banks provide safe, ethically sourced, high-quality bone grafts that allow surgeons to perform complex orthopaedic reconstructions with improved outcomes and faster recovery. This marks a significant step forward for patients who suffer from persistent or severe joint problems that tend to worsen during colder seasons.
Dr Aashish K. Sharma,Director – Orthopedics & Joint Replacement, CK BIRLA HOSPITALS further added, “Every year, specialists also observe that back, muscle and joint pain often becomes more pronounced in winter due to physiological changes. The synovial fluid inside joints thickens in lower temperatures, blood circulation slows, and the tissues surrounding the joints become stiffer.”
This combination reduces mobility and increases pain, particularly in individuals with arthritis, old injuries or Vitamin D deficiency. Even otherwise healthy people may experience increased muscle tightness or morning stiffness, as cold weather naturally reduces the body’s flexibility and shock-absorption capacity.
Experts emphasise that persistent winter pain is not something that should be simply tolerated. In many cases, it can be an early indicator of cartilage wear, spinal disc issues or underlying biomechanical imbalances. Delaying medical attention often allows these conditions to progress, leading to more severe symptoms by the time the season changes.
The encouraging news is that orthopaedic care has evolved significantly in recent years. Today, patients have access to minimally invasive joint procedures, precision-based arthroscopy, robotic knee and hip replacements, and regenerative treatments such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. These advanced options enable doctors to correct alignment issues, slow long-term degeneration and intervene at earlier stages—especially for patients whose pain reliably increases during winter.
Alongside medical intervention, simple daily measures can also make a meaningful difference. Consistent stretching, the use of warm compresses, indoor mobility exercises and adequate hydration all help maintain joint flexibility and reduce discomfort. However, when winter pain begins to interfere with daily activities, seeking an orthopaedic evaluation is crucial.
Experts agree that early assessment combined with modern orthopaedic techniques can help patients stay active, mobile and pain-free throughout the winter months, preventing minor seasonal discomfort from turning into a long-term health issue.
(This article is based on information available in the public domain and on input provided by experts consulted.)