Joint Pain in Columbus Ohio

Joints are the connecting sections between bones that allow for movement and for carrying your body position. As we age, the cartilage in these areas can wear down and provide stiffness, soreness, pain, and reduced mobility. Our goal at Pain Zero in Central Ohio is to reduce pain and inflammation while restoring function to the affected joint. Common joint pain occurs in the shoulder, knee, hip, sacroiliac joint (SIJ), or ankle. It also can involve any of the following:

• Damaged cartilage
• Ligament injuries
• Arthritis or inflammation
• Injury to smooth cartilage that lines the joint, the connecting ligaments, or tendons
• Injury or inflammation to surrounding tissues limiting movement and causing pain, even during rest

Our skilled providers are experienced at providing solutions for pain caused by joint issues. Contact our office today to find out more about your ailments and our solutions.

Knee Pain

Knee pain can occur due to injury, infection, or tumor, but most commonly, arthritis. The pain can stem from the bone, the ligaments, and tendons that help hold the knee together or the bursa and menisci that help provide cushioning of the joint. Symptoms can include knee joint instability, pain, or swelling. Other symptoms include redness and stiffness. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but typically involves any of the following:

• Rest
• NSAIDs
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections
• Nerve ablation or stimulation
• Possible replacement surgery

Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) Pain

The sacroiliac (SI) joints are where the bottom portion of the spine (the sacrum) connects to two of the bones that make up the pelvis (iliac bones), which lie on each side of the spine. The SI joints are relatively immobile and are held in place by ligaments and support the majority of the weight of the spine so they are frequently stressed. Chronic stress can lead to arthritis of the SI joints, which in turn, causes pain. The SI joints can also be painful during pregnancy when added stress is applied to them due to the relaxation of the ligaments that help hold the SI joints stable as the body prepares for childbirth, as well as the added weight incurred during pregnancy. Unequal leg lengths may also place added stress on the SI joints, causing pain. Symptoms typically include low back pain that is worsened with standing or walking and may or may not include pain in the thighs or groin. Treatment includes:

• NSAIDs
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractic adjustments
• Exercise like yoga or pilates
• Steroid injections into the joint
• Minimally invasive joint fusion
• Nerve stimulation

Ankle Pain

Injury to any of the bones, ligaments, and tendons in the ankle can cause a significant amount of pain. A simple cause of the pain may be a sprain, which occurs when the joint becomes subject to forceful twisting or bending and typically is associated with overstretching or tearing of the ligaments. Another cause may be arthritis. For many patients, steroid injections, physical therapy, or a combination of various treatments might be the way to manage chronic pain.

Surgery

Surgery may be an option for select joint pain. As an invasive procedure with exposure to general anesthesia, let alone weeks to months of recovery time, surgery has its risks and limitations. If surgery is your last resort, we will explore all potential treatments so you can feel confident in your care.