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Understanding Osteoarthritis (OA)
What OA is, why it progresses, and how image-guided, non-surgical care helps you stay active.
Reading time: ~6 minNon-SurgicalImage-Guided
Overview
Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis. As cartilage thins and joint fluid loses its “slippery” quality, movement becomes painful and stiff—especially in weight-bearing joints like knees and hips. Without targeted care, OA tends to progress.
Why OA Gets Worse
Healthy joints have smooth cartilage and a thick gel (synovial fluid) that cushions and lubricates. In OA, the gel degrades and cartilage wears, increasing friction, inflammation, and that “bone-on-bone” feeling people describe.
Analogy: OA is like running an engine on old oil—friction builds, parts wear, and performance drops. Replace the “oil,” reduce friction, and function often improves.
Common Signs
Stiffness after rest; pain with walking, stairs, squatting
Grinding/clicking or swelling around the joint
Night pain disrupting sleep
Evaluation at NYC Pain MD
History, focused exam, and weight-bearing X-ray (Kellgren–Lawrence grading) guide a personalized, image-guided plan to reduce pain and improve motion.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) supplements your joint’s natural “oil.” By cushioning and lubricating the joint space, gel shots can reduce grinding pain, swelling, and stiffness—especially in knee osteoarthritis.
Series 3–5 visits over ~4–6 weeks
Onset Benefits build during & after series
Duration Relief commonly lasts months
Who Benefits
Mild-to-moderate OA, and many advanced OA patients who want to delay/avoid knee replacement—especially those limiting pain pills or not tolerating steroids.
What a Visit Is Like
Skin is numbed; the joint is accessed under ultrasound/X-ray guidance; gel is placed inside the joint. Most describe it like a quick vaccine—brief pressure, then done. Temporary soreness may occur for 1–2 days.
FAQs
Is it safe?
HA is well-tolerated. Side effects are usually local and short-lived (e.g., transient swelling). Your clinician screens for allergies/contraindications.
Can it be repeated?
Yes—benefit is time-limited, so many repeat series when symptoms return.
How is this different from pain pills?
Pills can mask symptoms. Gel shots address the joint environment directly—improving glide and shock absorption where pain starts.
Pro tip: pair gel shots with strength & mobility work for the best functional gains.
Find Answers to Your Pain Management Questions Here
What types of conditions do you treat?
We treat chronic joint pain, arthritis, back pain, sciatica, neuropathy, tendonitis, and many other musculoskeletal and nerve conditions.
Are these treatments safe?
Yes. All of our procedures are FDA-approved or evidence-based, and performed by trained specialists using advanced imaging guidance.
Do you accept insurance?
Most insurance plans are accepted. Coverage depends on your plan and treatment type. Some regenerative therapies (like PRP or stem cells) may be cash-pay only.
How long does pain relief from injections last?
Relief can last anywhere from a few weeks to over a year, depending on the type of injection and the patient’s condition.
What’s the difference between cortisone, gel shots, and regenerative treatments?
Not necessarily. Many patients find lasting relief without surgery. If surgery becomes the best option, our treatments often help delay or reduce the need for invasive procedures.
