The hot and steamy summer passes and ushers in the soughing autumn. People start to exercise more and excursions become a common topic of daytime communication. Activities such as hiking and excursions can suddenly increase the load on the body’s joints, of which the knees are often the most sensitive. In addition, the cool breeze in the field or late autumn often penetrates through thin clothing and disturbs the already sensitive joints. People who go on excursions and hikes will feel more or less discomfort in their knees after a good time, as if our joints have caught a cold or a cold in general, which sometimes brings the slightest bit of worry and discomfort. Perhaps this is also a testament to the fact that life is a journey of joy and sorrow, sweet and sour. So, let’s have fun with the pain! As a joint surgeon, how do you think about the cold and flu in the joints? Let’s start with the knee joint and talk briefly about the mystery of it. The human knee joint is made up of the distal femur and the proximal tibia on each side covered with thick, clear cartilage joint surfaces, with strong anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments in the middle, surrounded by the joint capsule, patella and patellar ligaments, medial and lateral collateral ligaments, N tendon and several thin ligaments connected, and then peripherally by a dozen or so tendons across the knee joint to strengthen and traction to produce various knee movements, these tendons are the extension of the thigh These tendons are an extension of the thigh and calf muscles. This is part of the secret of the mechanics hidden under the skin of our knee joints. The human body cannot walk without them. The two knee joints alternately carry the entire weight of the human body above the knee joint when walking, and the load on a single knee joint can sometimes exceed three times the weight of the human body when climbing hills and stairs. In the process of flexion and extension, the local stresses are sometimes higher than we can imagine, as a full and even load is not always maintained. The normal knee joint, by nature’s magic, has achieved a near-perfect fit, friction transformation, and force transmission. However, a lot of exercise in a short period of time, especially climbing and excursions on undulating ground can still invariably cause wear and tear on the knee cartilage or ligaments, which, combined with the stimulation of cool autumn air, can lead to painful swelling and soreness. The perfection of the knee joint can be broken when the cartilage in the knee joint degenerates and wears out in older people, and when the meniscus or ligaments are damaged in younger people. The swelling and pain can be more severe than usual after exercise and cool breezes in the fall, and can even make movement difficult. So how to prevent and get the appropriate treatment? It is recommended to pay attention to the warmth of the joint area in autumn and try not to stand for too long in cold and wet places. When going on excursions, pay attention to keeping warm, wear sports pants with air release function and well-fitting sports shoes. And pay attention to carrying as little weight as possible to reduce the extra weight. When traveling with small children, it is recommended to use a stroller instead of holding or carrying them, as this will increase the load on the adult’s joints. People with existing joint problems should avoid hiking activities. If the knee joint becomes sore in the fall after a cool breeze or an excursion, it will usually be relieved after 2-3 days of rest for young people. If the symptoms are obvious, you can apply topical analgesic creams such as capsaicin ointment or Fotarine cream, or put on a cream made by a regular pharmaceutical company. If the pain persists, there may be arthritis or damage to the meniscus or ligaments. It is important to seek help from a specialist joint surgeon. Since more than half of the elderly over the age of 60 already have varying degrees of wear and tear on the knee cartilage, there is a significant increase in the fall, especially after excursions. This is primarily the result of aggravation of existing osteoarthritis, and sometimes cartilage debris can cause the joint to lock up and prevent free flexion and extension. If this happens, rest is not the only thing to do. Further medical treatment is necessary to maintain joint health. In mild cases, medication can help; in severe cases, minimally invasive arthroscopic treatment or artificial joint replacement surgery can be performed depending on the case. A professional joint surgeon will provide you with a scientific and systematic solution.