As you may know that having Metal implants which are used in joint replacements, fracture reinforcement and spine fusions, these transfer heat and cold better than human tissue. Therefore those who have metal implants might feel the cold more in the implant area during lower temperatures.

This is due to the skin, body and brain being extra sensitive to heat loss and a cold, damp environment. When we get cold, our body generates heat to try to stay warm. And because our body is 60% water and water is hard to heat. Metal is dense and can hold heat. Meaning if metal in the body is covered by skin, like a plate in the ankle, thin skin is against thick metal competing for the heat.

Best way to to understand the relationship between skin and metal, is to think of the think of the Dumb and Dumber film where he puts his tongue on a frozen flagpole. Because the tongue is moist and it will begin to freeze immediately to the pole. The body will respond by pumping warm blood to the tongue in a process called conduction. However, we know metal is a better heat conductor than the tongue. So the metal takes the heat faster than the body can replenish it. (If you ever find yourself in that situation you pour warm water on the affected area) or like me use hot water bottles on the hips. The blood finds it more difficult to circluate when we are cold, so even if you may not actually be physically worse, the nerves (pain receptors) are more sensitive, so it will feel more intense during cold snaps.

Here are some easy tips to keep your joints warm and working in cold temperatures:

• Apply heat. Keep painful joints warm with warm baths, heating pads or hot water bottles.
• Stay active. Keep your blood circulating with low-impact activities such as yoga or tai chi. Move your outdoor workouts indoors.
• Warm up. Stretch to warm up before exercise to alleviate stiffness.
• Wear layers. Maintain body heat with layers to keep joints warm, functioning and pain free at any temperature.

It’s been a week since I spoke to my consultant, and coming to terms with it being end of the end in terms of treatment. And I wish I had mentioned how much the opposite hip (the good one) has started to hurt 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ so that’s something I definitely need to speak to him about. Though the x-rays looked fine so I doubt it’s loosening, more like heavier load bearing.

Now I’ve had the hand consultant appointment and I’m on the surgery waitlist, it looks like that will be 12 weeks, so I definitely have time to get the steroid injection done first and some hydro sessions too. So that’s a weight off my shoulders.