Frequent movement and prolonged sitting in vehicles during the Tet holiday increase pressure on joints, potentially leading to pain, especially in lower limbs like knees, hips, and ankles. Dr. Truong Tri Khoa, a specialist in musculoskeletal internal medicine at Tam Anh General Clinic District 7, suggests several preventive measures to help patients with joint conditions fully enjoy their spring travels.

Warm up before starting your trip to increase body temperature, improve blood circulation, and lubricate joints with synovial fluid, enhancing flexibility and reducing friction. This can alleviate pain, reduce joint stiffness, lessen pressure on joints, and prevent injuries, especially for those with arthritis.

Wear protective gear such as knee or ankle braces to stabilize joints and prevent injuries like sprains or dislocations during extensive movement. Some braces also provide warmth, promote blood circulation, relax muscles, reduce joint stiffness, ease pain, and minimize spasms, making them suitable for cold weather or individuals with joint issues.

Avoid continuous long-distance travel. If walking, plan regular breaks. When traveling by vehicle, stand up and walk around every 30-60 minutes, or perform in-place exercises such as shoulder rotations, knee bends and extensions, ankle flexions and extensions, and toe curls to promote blood circulation, stimulate muscle activity, and reduce joint stiffness and pain.

Choose travel destinations that offer easy movement, such as plains, beaches, or flower villages, and avoid overly cold climates. Sudden temperature changes can trigger pain for individuals with pre-existing conditions like gout or arthritis. If visiting cold places, wear warm clothing, thermal wear, socks, and gloves. Avoid spring travel to mountainous or challenging terrains, as these can make movement difficult and increase pressure on joints.

Doctor Khoa evaluates the knee joint function of a patient during a follow-up examination. *Photo: Tam Anh General Clinic District 7*

Maintain proper nutrition to limit flare-ups of gout-related joint pain. Patients should maintain a balanced diet, increase intake of green vegetables and fresh fruits, and reduce consumption of red meat, shellfish, fried foods, and processed foods. Ensure adequate hydration, and avoid alcohol, alcoholic beverages, or pre-packaged drinks high in sugar.

Ensure you have sufficient medication. Before the Tet holiday, patients should schedule a follow-up appointment to have their health checked, receive prescriptions, and adjust medication if necessary. Also, share your travel plans with your doctor to receive appropriate advice.

If joint pain persists during spring travel despite preventive measures, patients should take medication as prescribed by their doctor and apply self-care measures such as resting, elevating the painful area, applying warm compresses to the affected joint, or taking warm baths. If the pain does not subside or worsens, seek immediate medical attention for examination and necessary clinical interventions.

Phi Hong