As temperatures drop during winter, many people experience increased discomfort when exercising outdoors, including muscle soreness and joint stiffness. Dr. Jordan Metzl, MD, a primary sports medicine physician at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), explained the physiological reasons behind these sensations.
“When it’s cold outside, our body uses thermoregulation to conserve heat in the most important areas, the vital organs,” said Dr. Metzl. He further noted that to maintain central body temperature, blood is directed toward the core through vasoconstriction—a narrowing of blood vessels—which helps conserve heat. This process can lead to involuntary shivering as the body attempts to generate warmth. According to Dr. Metzl, “Shivering causes your muscles tense up, which can lead to pain.”
Dr. Metzl emphasized the importance of staying active despite colder conditions: “It’s important to keep the muscles and joints moving all year long, but particularly in the winter when there is less movement outside of sport participation.”
The Hospital for Special Surgery is recognized for its specialized orthopedic care and ongoing research in musculoskeletal health. The institution consistently ranks highly in orthopedics and has received multiple Magnet designations for nursing excellence, according to its official website. HSS also focuses on improving patient mobility and quality of life while advancing research in orthopedic surgery and rheumatology.
Additionally, HSS extends its services beyond New York through partnerships aimed at providing specialized orthopedic care in regions such as Southwest Florida.
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