Nonsurgical Procedures

Woman with hula loop Our goal at Enloe Health Joint Replacement is to help you get back to the activities you love. We offer non-surgical treatments to help with joint pain caused by:

Osteoarthritis (the most common cause of joint pain)
Rheumatoid arthritis
And arthritis that develops from an injury, meniscal tears or gout

A Look at Arthritis

So, what is arthritis? It is the inflammation of one or more joints that cause stiffness and pain. It develops when your cartilage breaks down and can no longer protect your bones. You see, cartilage is a smooth substance that protects the ends of your bones and provides cushioning. When it wears away, the bones rub against each other, causing discomfort. Over time, the stiffness and pain can reduce your range of motion.

Your care team will discuss your joint care options with you to come up with an individualized treatment plan. This could include one of these non-surgical treatments:

Steroid Injections

Steroids decrease inflammation and can be injected directly into your joints to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout or other inflammatory diseases. The injections relieve pain faster than anti-inflammatory pills.

If you have this procedure done, your provider will perform it in his or her office, and you’ll feel relief quickly. Relief may last for several weeks or months.

Viscosupplementation Injections

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the joint fluid that acts as a cushion. If you have these injections, hyaluronic acid will be injected into your joint. The substance will act as a lubricant, enabling your bones to move smoothly over each other.

This treatment works best if you have mild or moderate arthritis. It is often used for knee discomfort, but it can also help your hips or other joints. The treatment may also be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Physical Therapy

Happy couple dancing Physical therapy can also help you maintain and improve your range of motion. One of Enloe Health’s specially trained physical therapists can help you learn specialized exercises that: