Understanding Joint Pain
Joint pain in shoulders, wrists, hips and knees can affect mobility, comfort, and overall quality of life. Whether it is mild or severe, acute or chronic, joint pain can interfere with daily activities and limit movement. Identifying the underlying cause and exploring effective management strategies can help individuals regain function and reduce discomfort.
Sources of Joint Pain
Joint pain can arise from various conditions affecting the bones, cartilage, ligaments, and surrounding tissues. Common causes include:
Osteoarthritis – A degenerative condition in which the protective cartilage within joints gradually wears down, leading to stiffness, pain, and reduced flexibility.
Injury or Trauma – Joint pain may result from fractures, dislocations, or ligament damage, impacting stability and function.
Post-Surgical Joint Pain – Some individuals experience ongoing joint discomfort following surgery due to scar tissue formation, inflammation, or altered biomechanics.
Seeking Relief and Treatment
There are effective strategies available to help manage joint pain and improve function. Even if you have been turned down for joint surgery, there may be pain interventions suitable to manage your pain. Treatment approaches may include:
Medications
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation – Strengthening exercises, mobility techniques, and posture correction can support joint health and reduce discomfort.
Pain-Relief Interventions – Depending on the underlying condition, specialized treatments or injections such as radiofrequency ablation may help reduce your pain and improve movement.
Interventions for Joint Pain Relief
Hip
Hip PENG Nerve Block
The Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block is a targeted injection used for hip pain, often related to arthritis or injury. It works by numbing the main nerves that supply the hip joint, helping to reduce pain and improve mobility. This can be useful both for pain relief and as a guide to whether longer-lasting treatments may be beneficial.
Joint Injection
Joint injections are commonly used to treat pain and stiffness caused by arthritis or inflammation in joints such as the hip, knee, or shoulder. A small amount of local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory medicine is injected directly into the joint, aiming to reduce pain, improve movement, and make everyday activities easier.
Knee
Knee Genicular Nerve Injections
The genicular nerves are small nerves around the knee that can contribute to ongoing knee pain, especially after arthritis or surgery. A genicular nerve injection involves placing local anaesthetic, sometimes with anti-inflammatory medicine, near these nerves. This can help confirm whether they are the source of pain and may provide short-term relief.
Radiofrequency Ablation of Knee Joint
If genicular nerve injections provide good but temporary benefit, radiofrequency ablation may be considered. This treatment uses heat generated by radio waves to disrupt the pain signals from the genicular nerves, often giving longer-lasting relief for chronic knee pain and improving function when other treatments have not helped enough.
Joint Injection
Joint injections are commonly used to treat pain and stiffness caused by arthritis or inflammation in joints such as the hip, knee, or shoulder. A small amount of local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory medicine is injected directly into the joint, aiming to reduce pain, improve movement, and make everyday activities easier.
Shoulder
Suprascapular Nerve Block
The suprascapular nerve carries pain signals from the shoulder joint and surrounding structures. A suprascapular nerve block involves injecting local anaesthetic, sometimes with anti-inflammatory medicine, around this nerve to reduce shoulder pain and improve movement. It can be especially helpful for arthritis, rotator cuff problems, or persistent shoulder pain after injury or surgery.
Joint Injection
Joint injections are commonly used to treat pain and stiffness caused by arthritis or inflammation in joints such as the hip, knee, or shoulder. A small amount of local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory medicine is injected directly into the joint, aiming to reduce pain, improve movement, and make everyday activities easier.
Our approach to joint pain management prioritizes individualized care, helping patients find the most effective path to relief and mobility. If you are experiencing persistent joint pain, seeking professional advice can provide clarity on the cause and available treatment options. Addressing joint pain early can lead to improved quality of life and long-term comfort.