Chronic Conditions
Arthritis
Degenerative and inflammatory joint disease of the spine, hips, knees and shoulders.
What arthritis is
Arthritis wears away the smooth cartilage surface of a joint, leaving bone, capsule and surrounding soft tissue to absorb load they were not designed to carry. The result is stiffness, aching and progressive loss of activity.
Interventional pain management does not reverse arthritis, but it can substantially reduce pain and restore the ability to move — which is itself the most reliable long-term treatment for arthritic joints.
Common symptoms
- Deep aching in the joint that worsens with use
- Stiffness after rest that eases with movement
- Swelling, grinding or reduced range of motion
- Pain that disrupts sleep
Common causes
- Age-related wear and tear on cartilage over decades of use
- Prior joint injury or fracture that altered joint mechanics
- Repetitive occupational or athletic joint loading
- Excess body weight increasing load on weight-bearing joints
- Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis affecting the joint lining
How it is diagnosed
The exam evaluates the specific joint or joints involved, checking for swelling, grinding, tenderness along the joint line, and how far the joint can move before pain limits it.
X-rays typically show the degree of cartilage loss and any bone spurring, which helps stage the severity of arthritis. When the picture is unclear or an inflammatory cause is suspected, blood tests or MRI may be added.
In some joints, a diagnostic injection that temporarily numbs the joint can confirm it as the true source of pain when a patient has several possible pain generators nearby, such as the hip and the low back.
Treatment options we offer
Which of these applies depends on your examination and, where appropriate, a diagnostic block confirming the source of your arthritis.
- Joint InjectionsCorticosteroid or viscosupplement placed into a painful shoulder, hip, knee or other joint under image guidance.
- Radiofrequency AblationRadio waves used to interrupt pain signals from confirmed facet or sacroiliac nerves, often giving relief for a year or more.
- Medication ManagementCareful, monitored use of the right medication class for your pain type, with clear goals and safety oversight.
- Regenerative TherapiesBiologic injections intended to support healing in tendon, ligament and joint tissue, discussed with candid evidence.
When to see a specialist
- Joint pain and stiffness that has lasted more than a few weeks
- Pain that limits walking, stairs or daily activities
- Swelling, warmth or grinding sensations in a joint
- Pain that disrupts sleep on a regular basis
- Sudden severe joint swelling with fever, which needs prompt evaluation to rule out infection
Common questions
Can arthritis pain be reversed?
Are joint injections a long-term solution?
How is spine arthritis different from arthritis in a hip or knee?
When should arthritis be referred to a surgeon instead?
Related conditions
- NeuropathyNerve damage causing burning, numbness and tingling, most often in the feet, legs and hands.
- Complex Regional Pain SyndromeA disproportionate pain response after injury, with skin, temperature and swelling changes in a limb.
- FibromyalgiaWidespread musculoskeletal pain with fatigue, sleep disturbance and heightened pain sensitivity.
- Cancer PainPain from tumor, treatment or nerve involvement, managed alongside the patient's oncology team.
Ready to get a real diagnosis?
Most patients are seen within two weeks. Call our office or send a request and our staff will help you choose the most convenient location.