Over the past two months, consultations for joint pain among patients with chronic arthritis have risen, although specific data quantifying the overall increase in joint cases across Delhi remains unavailable.
A 2025 study found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) increases the risk of developing arthritis by 12 to 18%, reinforcing concerns that poor air quality and cold weather together can significantly worsen joint pain and inflammation, according to orthopaedic specialists across the Delhi-NCR region.
In many cases, the winter chill causes muscles around joints to tighten, blood flow to slow, and the tissues around the joint to contract. These factors are enough to worsen stiffness in patients and increase pain in patients with Osteoarthritis (OA) or Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). At the same time, research shows that air pollution may be playing a key role in aggravating these conditions.
Dr Arvind Mehra, of Paras Health Gururgram, said, “Over the past several weeks, we have seen more arthritis issues, especially with older people and those who already have joint problems. Cold temperatures reduce blood supply around the joints, making them stiffer, while inhaled pollutants stimulate inflammatory pathways that can worsen pain and swelling.” For patients with OA or RA, this combination of cold and toxic air acts almost like a biological stress test on the body, he said.
“We advise patients to keep themselves warm, handle flare-ups quickly, do light indoor workouts to keep joints moving, and see a doctor when needed. Timely intervention and consistent management are critical to prevent long-term deterioration,” Dr Mehra said. (IANS)
