According to experts and studies, the risk of arthritis and joint pain has increased due to cold and air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

As the national capital enters the harsh winter phase with falling temperatures and dense smog, doctors are warning of a double threat to the health of joints.

Over the past two months, there has been an increase in consultations for joint pain among chronic arthritis patients, although specific data to quantify the overall increase in joint cases across Delhi is unavailable.

A 2025 study published in the European Medical Journal found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) increased the risk of developing arthritis by 12 to 18%, raising concerns that poor air quality and cold weather together could increase joint pain and inflammation, according to orthopedic experts in the Delhi-NCR region.

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In many cases, the winter cold causes the muscles around the joints to stiffen, blood flow to slow, and the tissue around the joints to shrink.

These factors are sufficient to worsen stiffness and increase pain in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). At the same time, research shows that air pollution can play an important role in increasing these conditions.

Dr. Arvind Mehra, Paras Health Gurugram, said, “Over the past several weeks, we have seen more problems with arthritis, especially in older people and those who already have joint problems. Cold temperatures reduce blood supply around the joints, causing them to become stiff, while inhaled pollutants stimulate inflammatory pathways that can increase 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.

Dr. Mehra said, “We advise patients to keep themselves warm, deal with flare-ups promptly, do light indoor workouts to keep the joints moving, and see a doctor if needed. Timely intervention and consistent management are important to prevent long-term deterioration.”

“We’ve seen that environmental factors, and it’s becoming clear that hazardous air and our surroundings, really have an impact on joint health,” said Dr Simon Thomas, Head of Robotic Joint Replacement and Reconstruction at Max Healthcare. “Small air particles like PM2.5 not only affect our lungs, but they also get into our blood, which can cause inflammation throughout the body and increase joint problems,” he said.

Dr. Thomas said, we have seen that people living in highly polluted areas have slower recovery after joint surgery and their pain returns more frequently.

Read more: NDMC intensifies anti-pollution campaign; 14 anti-smog guns installed on high-rise buildings in Lutyens’ Delhi

Additionally, at the 40th annual conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRACON 2025), which was held on October 9-12, leading rheumatologists cited alarming evidence that toxic air and PM2.5 pollution could be fueling a rise in rheumatoid arthritis cases in Delhi-NCR.

Doctors said managing arthritis during Delhi winters now requires an integrated approach that combines medical care with environmental awareness.

Beyond symptom control, physicians are urging patients to plan their daily routines according to daily air quality levels, remain physically active indoors, and immediately consult specialists if stiffness or swelling intensifies.

This winter in Delhi-NCR brings home an important realization that our health is closely linked to the air we breathe and the world around us. Moving now means dealing with pollution as well as getting medical help, he said.