At the University Pain and Spine Center, with offices in Englewood Cliffs, Monroe Township, Clark, Freehold, and Somerset, New Jersey, the pain management specialists offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for chronic joint pain stemming from arthritis, an injury, or another degenerative condition. Customized care plans focus on easing pain and restoring function in your joint. Call the University Pain and Spine Center nearest you or request an appointment online today.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Treatment depends on the cause of your pain. You may benefit from physical therapy, or from injections of medicine into your joint. You may benefit from a procedure called “radiofrequency ablation.” It uses electricity to destroy the painful nerve endings in your joint. If these aren’t helpful, you may need surgery to stabilize your joint. Your healthcare provider can create a plan that’s right for you.

What causes joint pain?

Your joints allow you to move your body in a variety of ways, so you can stay physically active. Joints consist of bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that work together with every move you make.

When you injure a joint, your joint may not function as it should, and any damage can lead to persistent pain. You may also develop chronic joint pain due to an underlying degenerative condition, like arthritis, that causes the joint structures to break down or wear out.

While you can develop pain in any of your joints, pain in your hips, knees, and shoulders often interferes with your ability to stay mobile and physically active. If you’re not able to work or engage in other activities because of chronic joint pain, you should schedule a consultation with the pain management specialists at the University Pain and Spine Center as soon as possible.

How is joint pain diagnosed?

During an evaluation of your joint, your University Pain and Spine Center doctor takes time to review your personal and family medical history and physically examine the painful joint.

As part of the exam, your physician can identify areas of swelling, tenderness, and redness that might pinpoint the underlying cause of your pain. To confirm or rule out arthritis or another degenerative joint condition, you may need X-rays or other imaging tests.

How is joint pain treated?

The University Pain and Spine Center specialists provide a variety of non-surgical therapies and surgical treatments to ease chronic pain and increase the range of motion in your joint:

Medication and injections

Initially, you may benefit from oral medications or injections that deliver pain relievers and anti-inflammatories directly into your joint. These treatments can make it easier for you to participate in physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that support your joint.

Regenerative medicine

When joint pain is severe, the University Pain and Spine Center providers may recommend regenerative medicine therapies. These therapies use injections of stem cells or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to promote healthy tissue growth to repair damaged joint tissues and relieve pain. Prolotherapy is also available.

Viscosupplementation

Viscosupplementation involves injections of a thick hyaluronate fluid to lubricate your joints and improve mobility.

You may also benefit from:

  • Physical therapy
  • Cold laser therapy
  • Nerve ablation
  • Lifestyle changes

The University Pain and Spine Center team tailors your treatment plan to your specific needs. In the event you need surgery, they also offer services to manage your post-surgical pain and monitor your recovery.

You don’t have to live with chronic joint pain from an injury or underlying disease. Call the University Pain and Spine Center nearest you or request an appointment online today.