Arthritis and Osteoporosis Treatments in Palmdale, CA

Dr. Motlagh offers a wide range of arthritis and osteoporosis treatments in her Palmdale, CA offices, including joint injections. Book a consultation today using the form on this page, or learn more about our treatments below. KMHC Clinic services the following areas in Antelope Valley: Palmdale, Lancaster, Acton and Quartz Hill. 

Arthritis refers to joint pain or joint disease. Over 50 million Americans have arthritis —i t’s the number one cause of disability in the U.S. and occurs most commonly among women and older people. Severe arthritis can cause joint pain, weakness, difficulty with walking and performing your normal activities. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and it can be extremely painful and debilitating.

Symptoms of arthritis in joints may include:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Stiffness
• Decreased range of motion

Osteoporosis, including low bone mass, affects about 54 million Americans. If you are over 50, the probability that you have (or will get) osteoporosis is 50% in women and 25% in men. Osteoporosis occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones can become weak and may break more easily. Bones that have osteoporosis have lost their density and contain abnormal tissue structure.

Symptoms of osteoporosis may include:

• Back pain
• Stooped posture
• Loss of height over time
• Bones that fracture easily

Some arthritis and osteoporosis patients may be good candidates for a treatment option involving joint injections to reduce pain and increase mobility. Joint injections are often given in conjunction with medications and traditional treatments for arthritis and osteoporosis. They should be part of an overall plan of care that may include oral medications, rest, heat and ice therapy, splints, and other treatments.

If traditional treatments alone are not improving your arthritis or osteoporosis symptoms, Dr. Motlagh may recommend a joint injection, which is best for pain concentrated in a single joint. There are two main types of osteoporosis and arthritis joint injections: corticosteroid (steroid) injections and hyaluronic acid (gel) injections. In some cases, PRP therapy might be another effective treatment option to consider.

Corticosteroid (Steroid) Injections

Corticosteroids are powerful inflammation-reducing drugs. When corticosteroids are injected into a joint, it reduces inflammation in that joint, which can decrease pain and improve mobility. When a joint is injured, the body tries to heal and protect itself, increasing blood flow to the joint and causing inflammation, which can cause severe pain and restrict normal movement. It can also damage the joint, weakening muscles and tendons, eroding the cartilage and bone, and making the joint less stable. Corticosteroid injections limit the capability of the small blood vessels around the joint, help reduce blood flow, and decrease immune-system cells associated with inflammation and joint damage. If you require a corticosteroid injection for arthritis or osteoporosis treatment, contact our joint pain doctors and specialists today.

Hyaluronic Acid (Gel) Injections

Gel injections for arthritis and osteoporosis are made of a solution called hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan. When injected, the gel-like quality helps lubricate the joint and absorb shock. In joints affected by osteoarthritis, there is less of this natural gel present in the joint. Therefore, injecting a synthetic version of the gel into the joint is thought to improve the thickness of synovial fluid (the natural gel that reduces friction in joints), which allows smoother movement and less pain. Contact our doctors to learn more about gel joint injections to treat arthritis and osteoporosis.

A joint injection is a non-invasive in-office procedure that takes less than 30 minutes to perform. Here’s what you can expect when undergoing arthritis or osteoporosis joint injections with Dr. Katayoun Motlagh:

• After a thorough consultation, Dr. Motlagh will provide a recommendation for what treatment she believes will deliver the best results and symptom relief.
• After determining the exact location where the joint injection will be made, a local anesthetic may be applied in order to minimize any discomfort from the shot.
• Before the shot, your doctor may draw fluid out of the joint for further examination in the lab. Doing this may also help avoid any fluid pooling following the injection.
• Next, she will insert the needle into the joint space to deliver the treatment. In some cases, fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance may be used to ensure the precise location for treatment.
• Following treatment, many arthritis and osteoporosis patients experience symptom improvement within several days. However, other patients may need several rounds of injections in order to realize the full benefits of the treatment.

Joint injections for arthritis and osteoporosis are beneficial in a number of ways. They can help:

• Reduce and control inflammation
• Reduce irritation caused by bone on bone friction
• Deliver pain relief

If you are interested in learning more about treatment for arthritis and osteoporosis with Dr. Katayoun Motlagh, or to find out if you are a candidate for joint injections, please contact our office today by giving us a call or schedule an appointment by filling out the appointment request form right on this page.