Arthritis and Joint Pain Relief at Wasatch Pain Solutions

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer with it. At Wasatch Pain Solutions, we help patients every day manage their arthritis and get back to doing what they love. Whether you’re just starting to notice symptoms or have been dealing with joint pain for years, understanding arthritis is the first step to feeling better.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis simply means inflammation of a joint. Over time, this inflammation can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of joint function. There are over 100 types of arthritis, but the most common include:

• Osteoarthritis (OA): caused by wear and tear of the cartilage that cushions your joints.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own joints.
• Psoriatic arthritis: associated with psoriasis, a skin condition.
• Gout: caused by a buildup of sharp uric acid crystals in the joint.

This blog will focus primarily on osteoarthritis, the most common type, especially in the spine, shoulders, hips, and knees.

What Causes Arthritis?

Arthritis doesn’t usually have one single cause. It’s often the result of a combination of lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors. Common risk factors include:

• Age: risk of OA increases as you get older.
• Genetics: family history of arthritis can raise your risk.
• Previous joint injury: injuries can lead to early joint breakdown.
• Repetitive motion or overuse: common in certain jobs or sports.
• Obesity: extra weight adds stress to joints, especially in the hips and knees.
• Gender: your gender can raise your risk of certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis for women or gout for men.

What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

Arthritis symptoms can vary depending on the type and location, but common signs include:

• Joint pain that worsens with activity or after periods of inactivity.
• Stiffness, especially in the morning or after resting.
• Swelling or tenderness around the affected joints.
• Decreased range of motion or joint mobility.
• A grating or grinding feeling during joint movement.

If you’re noticing these symptoms, especially if they’re interfering with daily activities, it’s time to talk to a specialist.

How Is Arthritis Diagnosed?

Diagnosing arthritis starts with a careful history and physical examination. Sometimes more diagnostic tests are needed to identify the specific type or location of arthritis. These tests include:

• X-rays: to look at the joint space and inspect for bone spurs or other signs of damage.
• MRI or CT scans: to see cartilage and soft tissue in more detail.
• Blood tests: to check for inflammatory markers or autoimmune signs, especially in RA.
• Joint aspiration: to analyze joint fluid for signs of infection or gout.

We’ll work with you to get an accurate diagnosis and rule out other causes of joint pain.

Treatment Options for Arthritis

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to arthritis. At Wasatch Pain Solutions, we offer a wide range of non-surgical options tailored to each patient’s needs and goals.

Lifestyle and Conservative Treatments

• Exercise and Physical Therapy: to strengthen muscles and support joints.
• Weight management: even small weight loss can reduce joint stress.
• Anti-inflammatory diet: foods rich in omega-3s and antioxidants may help. Avoid highly processed foods which can increase inflammation in the body.
• Heat and cold therapy: for symptom relief.

Medications

• Over-the-counter supplements, including glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, turmeric/curcumin, and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil).
• We sell an Advanced Stem Cell Support Formula—a liquid dietary supplement containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and turmeric extract, among other ingredients.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or NSAIDs.
• Topical creams for localized relief.
• Prescription medications, including corticosteroids or disease-modifying drugs (for certain types of arthritis).

Advanced Non-Surgical Options

• Joint injections: such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid.
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): especially for spine-related arthritis pain, but also useful for knee and shoulder arthritis.
• MLS laser therapy: uses two simultaneous wavelengths of light proven to decrease inflammation and promote cellular repair.
• Neo EMSculpt: uses magnetic impulse and radiofrequency to strengthen and repair muscles, helping stabilize joints and improve joint hydration and lubrication.
• Regenexx: uses your own platelets (platelet-rich plasma or PRP) and sometimes your own stem cells to promote healing and long-lasting relief. This option may delay the need for surgery for 8–10 years!

Surgical Options (if needed)

At Wasatch Pain Solutions, we typically reserve surgery for when other, less-invasive treatments haven’t worked or in emergent cases—and we’ll walk you through all your options before making a recommendation.

• Arthroscopy: a minimally invasive procedure to clean or repair joints.
• Joint replacement: for severely damaged hips, knees, or shoulders.
• Spinal surgery: may be needed if the arthritis is compressing nerves or severely limiting mobility and the patient isn’t responding to conservative care. Look forward to another blog post where we’ll discuss the risks and benefits of different types of spinal surgery.

When Should You See a Specialist?

If joint pain, stiffness, or swelling is affecting your quality of life—especially if it’s getting worse—it’s time to talk to a specialist. Arthritis is a chronic condition, meaning it usually cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Early diagnosis and treatment can slow arthritis progression and help preserve your mobility.

You Don’t Have to Suffer With Arthritis Pain

At Wasatch Pain Solutions, our goal is to help you live a full, active life with less pain. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking for better ways to manage arthritis, we’re here to help.

Request an appointment today to start your personalized arthritis care plan.