Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: DoctorBeaver on 01/02/2008 17:49:24

Title: Banging your shin
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 01/02/2008 17:49:24

or elbow, etc, etc. Why does it hurt more when it's cold?

Title: Banging your shin
Post by: i am bored on 03/02/2008 03:35:02

i dont know... i was climbing down a ladder and it slipped and banged my shin pretty hard and i wanted to shoot someone

Title: Banging your shin
Post by: JnA on 03/02/2008 07:30:06

I would suggest vasoconstriction would have something to do with it.

Title: Banging your shin
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 03/02/2008 13:17:41

Quote from: JnA on 03/02/2008 07:30:06

I would suggest vasoconstriction would have something to do with it.

I was wondering that myself. However, vasoconstriction reduces the blood supply and, as far as I'm aware, that causes numbness rather than increased sensitivity.

Title: Banging your shin
Post by: Carol-A on 04/02/2008 07:27:30

I don't know, and I'm not even sure it is true that it would hurt more in the cold, but. if it does, I could take a guess! When it is cold, you reduce the blood flow to the surface in order to preserve heat. As there is only a thin layer of tissues over your shin, reducing the blood flow will reduce the reduce the small cushioning effect that that tissue has, increasing the pressure on the nerves etc

Title: Banging your shin
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 04/02/2008 07:39:12

Oh Carol, I am but a fool - I should have worked that out for myself. Thank you. It sounds very feasible.

Title: Banging your shin
Post by: JnA on 04/02/2008 12:21:29

Quote from: Carol-A on 04/02/2008 07:27:30

When it is cold, you reduce the blood flow to the surface in order to preserve heat. As there is only a thin layer of tissues over your shin, reducing the blood flow will reduce the reduce the small cushioning effect that that tissue has, increasing the pressure on the nerves etc

aye, vasoconstriction 

Title: Banging your shin
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 04/02/2008 13:19:15

Quote from: JnA on 04/02/2008 12:21:29

Quote from: Carol-A on 04/02/2008 07:27:30

When it is cold, you reduce the blood flow to the surface in order to preserve heat. As there is only a thin layer of tissues over your shin, reducing the blood flow will reduce the reduce the small cushioning effect that that tissue has, increasing the pressure on the nerves etc

aye, vasoconstriction 

Yes indeed, JnA. I hadn't considered the aspect that Carol mentioned. I apologise.