Joint Pain

Spine, hip, knee, and other joint pain often feels debilitating when not addressed. At Interventional Pain Center in Norman, Oklahoma, anesthesiologist and fellowship-trained interventional pain medicine physician James Stephens, DO, offers an array of solutions for joint pain relief. Call Interventional Pain Center to schedule an evaluation, or use the online booking feature today.

What is joint pain?

Joint pain is an uncomfortable sensation in your shoulder, elbow, wrist, spine, hip, knee, ankle, or other joints. It may develop because of an injury, a chronic disease, or age-related joint wear-and-tear. Dr. Stephens finds the cause of joint discomfort and develops a customized treatment to ease your pain and restore joint function.

What does it feel like to have joint pain?

Joint discomfort may appear as:

• Aching
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Tingling 
• Burning pain
• Throbbing discomfort
• Sharp pain
• Warmth
• Redness
• Bruising 
• Reduced range of motion
• Tenderness
• Weakness

The pain could come and go or be long-lasting. It ranges from mild to severe and, in some cases, crippling when left untreated.

What can lead to joint pain?

Joint pain might result because of:

• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Fractures
• Strains
• Sprains 
• Injuries

• Heavy lifting
• Inflammation
• Family history of joint problems
• Lack of joint strength
• Age-related wear
• Gout
• Bursitis 
• Tendinitis 
• Viral infections
• Cancer

You can injure a joint in a car accident, playing sports, working a physically demanding job, or falling down. Determining the cause of your discomfort is the key to effective, long-lasting joint pain relief. 

How is the cause of joint pain diagnosed? 

Dr. Stephens finds the source of your pain after discussing your symptoms and medical history, examining painful joints, and ordering blood tests and imaging procedures. He may recommend X-rays, an ultrasound, an MRI, a CT scan, or other imaging tests before making a final diagnosis and creating a customized treatment plan. 

How is joint pain treated?

Interventional Pain Center offers numerous joint pain treatments, including:

• Bracing
• Ice or heat packs
• Physical therapy
• Oral medications
• Topical treatments
• Dietary supplements
• Joint injections

• Epidural steroid injections
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Spinal fusion
• Nerve blocks
• Kyphoplasty
• Spinal cord stimulation
• The Vertiflex™ Superion®
• Sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion
• Minimally invasive surgery

Dr. Stephens specializes in minimally invasive surgery that restores spinal joint structure and function, thereby reducing pain. He uses the latest advances in technologies and procedures to optimize pain-reducing results and follows up with you after treatment to ensure long-lasting success. 

Schedule an evaluation at Interventional Pain Center by phone or request one online today to achieve joint pain relief.