What is joint pain?
As of 2021, 24% of adults have been diagnosed with Arthritis making it the leading cause of disability in the United states. This condition occurs as inflammation increases, the fluid in the joint decreases and the cartilage between bones begins to break down. Soft tissue injury such as a ligament, tendon or meniscus is common with sports related injuries. An imbalance in strength and stability increases the likelihood of a soft tissue injury especially with higher intensity movements when the body has not had time to acclimate.
Diagnosing joint pain
Arthritis is diagnosed based upon symptoms, examination and X-ray. The narrowing joint space and spurring of bone can indicate the degree of Arthritis present. Soft tissue injuries are best seen with Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) without exposure to radiation.
What are the symptoms of joint pain?
The main symptom with an orthopedic injury is pain. Depending on the degree of damage, pain may also accompany stiffness, swelling, restriction in movement and weakness.
How to treat joint pain
Although Cortisone injections are a first line treatment for joint inflammation and pain, these injections cause cell damage that increases arthritis with each subsequent injection. Hyaluronic acid injections are used in knee joints to increase fluid and cushion to work as a lubricant in the hope to decrease friction and pain. Insurance companies typically reimburse for these injections however, relief is short term. Acellular (Exosome) and Cellular injections may provide immediate relief from inflammation and facilitate the repair of damaged tissue by stimulating the body’s own repair mechanisms. Other available treatment services include: