Orlando Joint Pain Specialists
Do you experience joint pain that affects your daily life and is limiting your physical activity? If so, you may want to consider a consultation with one of our joint pain specialists. Here in Orlando, Florida, many highly respected doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions associated with joint pain. From sports medicine injuries to arthritis management, our pain specialists have the skills and resources to provide comprehensive care that can treat your pain, help restore function in your joints, and improve your quality of life.
What Is Joint Pain and What Are the Symptoms?
Joint pain can be an incredibly uncomfortable, and even debilitating, symptom. It may be caused by a direct injury to the area, inflammation of the tissue around the joint from infection or arthritis, or metabolic disorders. Common signs of joint pain include swelling and tenderness in the joints, limited movement and range of motion, reduced physical activity or exercise ability due to discomfort, and redness of the skin around the painful joint. In some cases, there can also be warmth and redness present, along with a grinding sensation when moving the joint or stiffness when attempting to use it. While certain lifestyle changes may bring some relief, it is important to visit your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.
What Causes Joint Pain?
Joint pain can be caused by a wide range of issues, including injury, arthritis, gout, bursitis, and tendinitis. Other less common causes include infections, metabolic or autoimmune diseases, or even traumatic surgeries. Preventing joint pain starts with understanding how lifestyle choices like diet and exercise may cause inflammation in the joints. Engaging in regular physical activity can help strengthen weakened muscles and improve movement in painful areas. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce the frequency and severity of joint pain as extra weight can accelerate wear and tear on the joints. Taking action to prevent joint pain is much more effective in managing symptoms than dealing with them after they appear.
How Is Joint Pain Treated?
Joint pain can be a chronic and challenging condition to manage. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments available. Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and medications that target specific conditions may help to relieve pain. In more severe cases, injections may be employed using medications or natural anti-inflammatories such as corticosteroids or viscosupplementation with hyaluronan. Nerve blocks can temporarily reduce or eliminate joint pain. Radiofrequency ablation is an advanced treatment that uses radio waves or electrical stimulation to help reduce inflammation and ease the pain. In rare cases, ketamine infusions can be used to reduce pain and inflammation, leading to reduced discomfort symptoms without the need for medications or injections. The best joint pain treatment option depends on an individual’s medical history and current condition, so it’s important to seek advice from one of our interventional pain management doctors for the recommended course of action.
Medications
Joint pain can often be a debilitating symptom that stops people in their tracks and sidelines them from their day-to-day activities. Fortunately, there are a variety of medicines available that can help to reduce the suffering associated with joint pain. Typically divided into categories of analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids, there is no shortage of options for treating this type of ailment. Analgesics work by blocking or reducing the body’s pain sensation while NSAIDs help to reduce the inflammation that often entails joint problems. Corticosteroids provide a more powerful form of relief when other treatment fails. In all cases, patients should consult their physician for advice on which medication might best benefit them. Through the right combination of medications, those with joint pain can find the relief they so desperately need.
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections can provide relief from joint pain and inflammation caused by various conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms of inflammatory arthritis. This treatment option is often discussed between patients and their doctors, to evaluate the best course of action for relieving pain. Steroid injections directly target the inflammation associated with joint pain to reduce swelling, alleviate discomfort, and improve mobility. Generally speaking, an injection is a minimally invasive technique that requires less time and recovery than other medical procedures. Nonetheless, it is important to weigh all potential risks against the many benefits offered by steroid injections before moving forward with this treatment.
Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation with hyaluronan has become a popular solution to provide relief from arthritis pain. This treatment replenishes the naturally produced fluids in the joint and helps lubricate the area, thus reducing inflammation and providing improved flexibility and range of motion. Depending on an individual’s needs, injections of highly concentrated hyaluronic acid may be recommended into the knee joint for several weeks to improve joint movement, reduce pain, and increase stability. By doing so, viscosupplementation with hyaluronan can help reduce or eliminate the need for surgeries and other medications that may include painful side effects.
Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks are an increasingly popular treatment option for joint pain. Nerve blocks involve the injection of a local anesthetic and steroid medication near the area of injury to reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. The anesthetics block the nerves from transmitting pain signals to the brain, providing temporary relief for various aches and pains associated with chronic conditions such as arthritis. There is typically minimal discomfort to the patient during the nerve block procedure due to numbing agents and cold packs being used in combination with the injections. Recovery time is generally quick, too, as most patients experience significant improvement within one day. Despite this speedy relief, nerve blocks may need to be repeated multiple times in order for long-term results. Overall, nerve blocks prove to be a safe and effective option for those seeking relief from their joint pain without resorting to more extreme methods such as surgery.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation has quickly become one of the most successful treatments for those suffering from persistent joint pain. By targeting specific nerves that cause discomfort, radiofrequency ablation can reduce the amount of pain in affected areas by up to 90 percent. This process involves placing a needle into an area which is then heated and monitored until it reaches the desired temperature, resulting in thermal energy being applied directly to problem nerves and disrupting pain signals. Through this, as well as its safety record and minimal disruption caused to everyday activities, radiofrequency ablation is proving to be an effective way to manage joint pain without the need for invasive surgery or long-term medication use.
Ketamine Infusions for Joint Pain
Recent research conducted on the use of ketamine infusions for joint pain has demonstrated promising results. This pain management technique focuses on the infusion of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, intravenously to provide systemic pain relief. While traditionally used for general anesthesia in major surgery, these controlled infusions can help patients deal with intractable chronic conditions without a need for opioid medication and its associated risks. Patients who have undergone these infusions report experiencing their pain diminish quickly allowing them platelet-rich activities of daily living that may otherwise have been impeded due to the severity of their condition.
What Are the Benefits of Interventional Joint Pain Treatment?
Interventional pain therapies offer many advantageous benefits for those who suffer from this particular kind of discomfort. By using a minimally-invasive approach, the goal of interventional treatment is to reduce inflammation and provide relief from painful symptoms. Such treatments often can achieve greater results than traditional medicines or physical therapy without subjecting patients to complicated surgeries or high costs. Through the use of such techniques as steroid injections, ultrasound-guided techniques, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and stem cell therapy, physicians are equipped with additional tools to help them diagnose and treat joint pain more effectively. Moreover, recovery time often shortens when interventional procedures are employed because there is less need for general anesthesia or post-operative care.
Who Is a Good Candidate for These Treatments?
Interventional treatments are an excellent solution for those living with chronic pain. This type of treatment is best suited to those with mild-to-moderate levels of joint pain from a variety of causes, such as arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, fractures, sprains, and muscle strains. Those with severe joint pain may opt for more extensive interventions. Interventional joint treatments can provide relief from the crippling pain associated with these conditions and can help restore an individual’s quality of life.
Summary
Joint pain is a common condition that can be caused by many factors. Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the joint pain, but there are many options available to help relieve symptoms. Interventional pain therapies offer many potential benefits for those suffering from joint pain and may be an option worth considering. If you’re experiencing joint pain, consult with a pain management doctor to see if interventional pain therapies may be right for you.