The Mystery of "Weather Knees"

Q. My mother says she knows when a storm’s coming because she “feels it” in her bones. Is there a scientific reason behind this?

A. Many people say they can forecast the weather by how their joints, muscles or bones feel. I believe it is more than a coincidence. In fact, Edna, one of my 93 years young patients, has consistently been able to tell when a big snowstorm is coming a day or so a head of time for the 12 years I have known her. Her "weather knee" is more accurate than any meteorologist’s Doppler.

In answer to your question, however, there is some scientific evidence to back up your mom’s claim. Several studies have indicated barometric pressure and cooler temperature play a role. The largest among them was presented at the American College of Rheumatology conference  in October 2004. The conclusion: "[C]hanges in barometric pressure have a very strong association with increases in knee pain. Cooler temperatures were also consistently, albeit weakly associated with increased pain."

As for why the changes in barometric pressure and temperature cause joint aches, one theory is that pressure changes that happen before a storm cause the tissue and fluid around the joints to expand, or swell. This in turn puts extra pressure on the joint or bone, causing the ache. As for the cold weather, the muscles around the joints and bones may contract or tighten, causing stiffness.

Everyone is different. While I may have a patient in Room 1 complaining of joint aches from the approaching storm, another patient in Room 2 may be totally unaffected. But what I’ve learned over the years is to really listen to what my patients are saying.  So even if science cannot prove beyond a doubt that Edna's knee is predicting a snowstorm, I can tell you, when she “feels” a blizzard coming, I make sure my snow shovel’s in good working order.

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Robert Danoff, D.O., M.S., is a family physician and program director of The Family Practice Residency, as well as the combined Family Practice/Emergency Medicine Residency programs at Frankford Hospitals, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, Pa. He is the medical correspondent for CN8, The Comcast Network, a regular contributor to Discovery Health Online and a contributing writer to The New York Times Special Features. (Read his full bio.)