Osteoarthritis can cause persistent joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility that interfere with everyday activities. At Integrative Sports & Spine, our physicians evaluate your symptoms, joint function, and imaging when appropriate to develop an individualized treatment plan focused on reducing pain and improving mobility.
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Ultrasound-guided jointinjection procedures are completed in a single visit with no downtime required.
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Most patients can resume normal activities within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the treatment performed and individual response.
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Locations Available
Osteoarthritis Treatment is available at our Southern California clinics - Long Beach, Alhambra, Riverside, and City of Industry.
Most osteoarthritis symptoms develop gradually and can be evaluated through a scheduled specialist appointment. However, certain joint symptoms represent a departure from the typical pattern of degenerative joint disease and require more urgent assessment to rule out infection, fracture, or a different inflammatory process.
Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation If You Experience:
X-rays can show joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and other arthritic changes, while musculoskeletal ultrasound provides additional information about surrounding soft tissues and joint structures. Our physicians use real-time ultrasound to guide injections, confirming needle placement and medication delivery to the intended area.
Osteoarthritis pain can come from several sources, including joint inflammation, the joint capsule, surrounding tendons and bursae, and changes in the underlying bone. Our physicians identify the likely pain generators and develop treatment and rehabilitation plans around the patient's specific symptoms and findings.
PRP may be considered for selected patients with osteoarthritis, particularly those with mild to moderate knee arthritis. While PRP does not restore lost cartilage, it may help reduce pain and improve joint function. Our physicians evaluate the severity of arthritis and other factors to determine whether PRP is appropriate.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. Our treatment plans may combine injections with exercise, strengthening, activity modification, and other strategies to help manage symptoms and maintain joint function over time.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee OA can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or standing. Treatment may include injections, PRP, strengthening, and bracing when appropriate.
Hip Osteoarthritis
Hip OA typically causes deep groin or hip pain with walking, standing, or rotation. Treatment may include ultrasound-guided injections, rehabilitation, and PRP for selected patients.
Shoulder Osteoarthritis
Shoulder OA can cause pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and grinding with movement. Treatment may include ultrasound-guided injections and rehabilitation.
Hand and Thumb Base Osteoarthritis
Hand and thumb arthritis can cause pain and weakness with gripping, pinching, and everyday activities. Treatment may include hand therapy, splinting, and selected injections.
Spinal Facet Joint Osteoarthritis
Facet arthritis can contribute to neck or low back pain that worsens with extension and rotation. Treatment may include medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation.
Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis
Post-traumatic OA can develop after fractures, ligament injuries, or other joint damage. Treatment addresses arthritis symptoms and mechanical factors related to the previous injury.
Preparation Guidelines• No fasting or special preparation is required for an osteoarthritis consultation or joint injection.
• Bring a list of your medications, supplements, and blood thinners.
• Bring any previous X-rays, MRI scans, or ultrasound reports of the affected joint.
• Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the affected area.
• Be prepared to describe your symptoms, activities that worsen them, and previous treatments.
• If considering PRP, ask your physician about avoiding anti-inflammatory medications before treatment.
Initial ConsultationYour first appointment includes a detailed evaluation of your joint pain, range of motion, strength, and function. Our physicians review available imaging and may use diagnostic ultrasound to assess the joint and surrounding tissues. Based on these findings, we develop a treatment plan tailored to your joint condition, symptoms, and functional goals.
Comfort and Preparation• The affected joint is positioned for optimal ultrasound access to the treatment area.
• The skin is cleaned with an antiseptic solution and the area is prepared appropriately.
• Local anesthetic may be used at the needle entry point to minimize discomfort.
Ultrasound-Guided Procedure Delivery• Real-time ultrasound allows the physician to visualize the needle as it advances toward the joint.
• Needle placement is confirmed before the medication or therapeutic agent is injected.
• PRP procedures include a blood draw and preparation of the platelet concentrate before injection. The appointment typically takes 45 to 60 minutes.
• Corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injections typically take 15 to 20 minutes, including setup and post-procedure assessment.
Immediate Recovery• Most patients return home the same day and resume light activities within 24 to 48 hours.
• Mild soreness or increased joint discomfort may occur for a few days after the injection.
• Apply ice to the treated area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time during the first day as needed.
• After corticosteroid injections, avoid strenuous activity for 48 to 72 hours before gradually resuming exercise.
• After PRP, follow your physician's instructions regarding NSAIDs and other anti-inflammatory medications.
• Contact our office if you develop fever, increasing redness or warmth, significant swelling, or other signs of infection.
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Ongoing Management• Attend follow-up appointments so your physician can monitor symptoms, function, and treatment response.
• Continue your prescribed exercise and rehabilitation program.
• Follow recommended activity modification, weight management, and joint protection strategies.
• Report new or worsening symptoms or significant changes in your joint pain to your physician.
Image-Guided Joint Evaluation and Treatment
Our physicians use diagnostic ultrasound to evaluate the joint and surrounding structures and guide injections with real-time visualization when appropriate. This allows treatment to be directed toward the intended joint space or affected structure.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Osteoarthritis can affect each patient differently. We consider your symptoms, imaging findings, joint function, severity of degeneration, and treatment goals when developing a plan that fits your condition.
Comprehensive Nonsurgical Options
Treatment may include corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections, PRP for appropriate candidates, rehabilitation, strengthening, and activity modification. We help determine which options are appropriate based on your joint and symptoms.
Long-Term Osteoarthritis Management
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that often requires ongoing care. We monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed to help manage symptoms, maintain mobility, and support your long-term joint health.
Treatment depends on the affected joint, severity of arthritis, symptoms, and your functional goals. Options may include exercise, strengthening, activity modification, weight management, and joint injections such as corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, or PRP when appropriate.
Yes. Many patients can manage osteoarthritis with nonsurgical care, including targeted exercise, strengthening, activity modification, weight management, and appropriate injection treatments. More advanced arthritis may eventually require surgical evaluation.
Osteoarthritis can develop from age-related joint changes, previous injuries, repetitive stress, excess weight, genetics, muscle weakness, or abnormal joint alignment. Several factors may contribute to the condition at the same time.
The structural cartilage loss caused by osteoarthritis does not typically reverse, but symptoms can improve significantly. Treatment can reduce pain and stiffness while improving strength, mobility, and overall joint function.
The timeline varies by treatment. Corticosteroid injections may provide relief within several days, while hyaluronic acid and PRP may take longer to show their full effects. Exercise and strengthening generally require several weeks of consistent participation.
PRP may help reduce pain and improve function in appropriately selected patients, particularly those with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. Your physician will consider the affected joint, severity of degeneration, symptoms, and treatment goals when determining whether PRP is appropriate.
Joint injections can help reduce pain and improve function in many patients. Depending on the joint and clinical situation, your physician may discuss corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, or PRP as potential treatment options.
Surgery may be considered when advanced osteoarthritis causes significant pain and functional limitations despite comprehensive nonsurgical treatment. Your physician can help determine when orthopedic or joint replacement evaluation is appropriate.
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Treated for bilateral knee osteoarthritis
"After being told I needed knee replacements, I wanted another option. The team reviewed my imaging and created a treatment plan with PRP and strengthening. A year later, I’m walking several miles a day and have avoided surgery."
Treated for hip osteoarthritis
"My hip arthritis had made walking and getting in and out of the car difficult. After an ultrasound-guided injection and a home exercise program, my pain improved significantly and I’m able to stay active while managing my condition."
Treated for thumb base osteoarthritis
""Arthritis at the base of my thumb made gripping and opening jars difficult. An ultrasound-guided injection combined with splinting and exercises helped improve my hand function and made everyday activities easier.""
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition, but it can often be effectively managed with the right treatment approach. At Integrative Sports & Spine, we create individualized treatment plans based on your joint, degree of arthritis, symptoms, and functional goals. Our approach may include targeted injections, exercise, rehabilitation, and strategies to support joint function and mobility. We also provide guidance on when additional evaluation or surgical care may be appropriate.
Call (833) 476-7377 or click the appointment button below to schedule a consultation at any of our four Southern California pain clinic locations.
Ultrasound-guided intra-articular joint injections for knee, hip, shoulder, and other arthritic joints, with corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, and PRP options tailored to the specific joint and the individual patient's clinical picture.
View MorePRP therapy delivers autologous growth factors directly into the arthritic joint under ultrasound guidance, offering a biologically targeted alternative to corticosteroid injection for appropriately selected patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis.
View MoreOur broader arthritis treatment program addresses all forms of arthritis affecting the joints, including inflammatory and autoimmune arthropathies alongside osteoarthritis, with individualized evaluation and a full range of interventional and rehabilitative treatment options.
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