Arthritis is the inflammation of one or many joints that causes pain and stiffness of the joints. There are many kinds of arthritis, but the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis generally worsens with age, but infections and underlying diseases can cause some types of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease that affects aging individuals. It generally refers to the natural wear and tear of our joints. As we get older our cartilage and bones that make up joints age as well. Osteoarthritis can be very painful. Exercise can prevent osteoarthritis. At Elihu Institute for Pain Management, we offer joint injections to relieve even the worst osteoarthritis pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the joints, skin, eyes, and organs. It is chronic and can be very painful. It is also associated with many other disorders including carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoporosis. Factors like age, family history, obesity, and your environment play a key role in rheumatoid arthritis. If you have prolonged joint pain or tenderness, schedule a consult with one of our physicians at Elihu Institute for Pain Management.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger refers to a condition where your fingers become very stiff and become locked in a position. It can be treated with exercise, rest, splinting, and medications. If none of those therapies work, our expert physicians at Elihu Institute for Pain Management can perform minor steroid injections to provide lasting relief.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a localized form of peripheral neuropathy that only affects the hands. The nerves in the wrist can be damaged overtime, leading to decreased sensation and numbness or pain. The way we sit at our computers is the leading cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. At Elihu Institute for Pain Management we offer many conservative and interventional therapies to manage your Carpal Tunnel pain. We can provide splinting and medications for the pain as well as joint injections for lasting pain relief.
Treatment
During a visit to Elihu Institute for Pain Management, one of our expert physicians will examine your joints and discuss your complete medical history in oder to design a treatment plan suited for you. Conservative treatments with pain medications and exercises are a great start, but we also offer many advanced treatments for arthritis pain.
Joint Injections
Our physicians can administer corticosteroid injection into the joint to relieve the pain. These joint injections can last for months and provide extensive relief. Corticosteroid can be injected at any joint, wherever the pain occurs. Hyaluronic acid can also be injected into joints. Our bodies naturally produce hyaluronic acid as joint lubricant, so an injection can provide relief by limiting joint friction.
Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to relieve pain in the back, arms, and legs caused by damage in spinal nerves. The procedure is minimally invasive and only involves a small injection of steroid into the epidural space in the spine. An epidural steroid injection will provide lasting relief for arthritis.
Radiofrequency Ablations
During radiofrequency ablations, radio waves produce a small electrical current that targets an area of nerve tissue, reducing pain in that specific location. This treatment option is generally well tolerated with few complications. Pain relief from radiofrequency ablations can last up to a year. Speak with a physician at Elihu Institute for Pain Management to learn if radiofrequency ablations are right for you.
Non-Opioid Pain Management
Powerful opioids are often the go to prescription for pain management, but these drugs have side effects and can lead to addiction. If you would like to avoid the use of opioids, one of our physicians can work with you to develop a safe and effective treatment plan. At Elihu Institute for Pain Management, we use a variety of non-opioid drug and non drug therapies for pain management. Non-opioid pain management therapies include: over the counter medication, physical therapy, steroid injections, acupuncture, nerve blocks, and surgery.