Expert Arthritis Pain Management in Melbourne
Understanding Arthritis & Joint Pain
✔ Are you struggling with chronic joint pain?
✔ Looking for non-surgical arthritis treatment in Melbourne?
✔ Want to know the best pain relief options for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis?
At Pain Specialists Australia, we offer cutting-edge treatments to help you move pain-free. From medications and joint injections to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and physiotherapy, we personalize care to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Understanding Arthritis & Joint Pain
Arthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, affecting millions of people worldwide. It commonly affects the knees, hips, shoulders, hands, and spine, leading to discomfort that impacts daily life.
Types of Arthritis
Arthritis affects millions of Australians, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited movement. The most common types include:
Osteoarthritis (OA) – Wear & Tear Arthritis
The most common form of arthritis, caused by cartilage breakdown over time. Symptoms include: Joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced movement. Commonly found in the larger weight bearing joints like knees, hips, shoulders, and hands.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – Autoimmune Arthritis
An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the joints, causing inflammation. Symptoms include: Joint pain, swelling, fatigue, and morning stiffness. Commonly found in the smaller non-weightbearing joints like the wrist, hands, ankles.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Develops after joint injuries or fractures, leading to long-term damage. Symptoms can appear years after the trauma.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis occurs in individuals with psoriasis, causing joint inflammation and stiffness.
What are the Main Symptoms of Arthritis?
Many people ask: “How do I know if I have arthritis?”
Here are the key signs:
Persistent joint pain & stiffness (especially in the morning)
Swelling & tenderness around joints
Cracking or grinding sensations when moving
Reduced range of motion
Pain worsens with activity
Joint deformity in severe cases
When should I see a specialist?
If you have joint pain lasting more than 4 weeks, it’s time to see an arthritis pain specialist in Melbourne.
What Causes Arthritis?
Many patients ask, “Why do I have arthritis?” The most common causes include:
Age & Wear – Cartilage naturally breaks down over time
Genetics – Some types run in families
Injury & Trauma – Prior joint damage increases risk
Autoimmune Disorders – Like rheumatoid arthritis
Obesity – Extra weight stresses joints, especially the knees
Advanced treatments like nerve blocks and neuromodulation provide relief for chronic nerve pain sufferers.
How do I know if I have Arthritis?
Diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation by a specialist, including:
Take a detailed medical history
Perform a physical joint examination
Order X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to assess joint damage
Use blood tests to check for autoimmune conditions
Our Pain Specialists will work closely with your medical team.
What are the Best Arthritis Pain Treatments?
“What is the most effective arthritis treatment?” – This is a question we hear often!
The best treatment depends on your arthritis type & severity and requires a multimodal approach, which means more than one treatment modality.
Another question we hear often is “How can I relieve arthritis pain without surgery?”
Non-Surgical Treatments for Arthritis
1. Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and swelling.
Pain-relieving creams & topical treatments for localised pain.
Corticosteroids for severe inflammation.
2. Joint Injections & Pain Interventions
Hyaluronic acid injections to improve joint lubrication.
Corticosteroid injections for long-lasting inflammation relief.
Nerve injections can help locate the joints and areas that are causing pain.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) targets joint pain nerves for longer-lasting relief.
3. Physiotherapy & Exercise
Low-impact exercises (swimming, cycling, walking) to strengthen muscles.
Joint mobility exercises to improve flexibility and prevent stiffness.
Strength training for joint support
4. Nerve Stimulation (Neuromodulation)
Peripheral nerve stimulation can target chronic arthritis-related nerve pain where surgery is not an option.
5. Lifestyle Changes & Pain Management Strategies
Weight management to reduce joint stress.
Bracing & assistive devices to support movement.
Anti-inflammatory diet with omega-3s & antioxidants
Radiofrequency ablation for knee arthritis pain relief
When is Surgery Needed?
Surgery is generally recommended when all other treatments fail &/or when symptoms progress. Surgical options might include:
Arthroscopic Surgery – Removes damaged cartilage
Joint Replacement Surgery (Hip, Knee, Shoulder) – For severe osteoarthritis
Not sure if surgery is right for you?
Speak to our Melbourne arthritis specialists to explore other opinions.
Our Pain Specialists work with some of the best orthopaedic surgeons in Melbourne and the country.
WHY CHOOSE PAIN SPECIALISTS AUSTRALIA FOR ARTHRITIS TREATMENT?
Melbourne’s Leading Arthritis Pain Experts
Non-Surgical & Minimally Invasive Options
Advanced Techniques Like Nerve Ablation & Joint Injections
Personalised Treatment Plan of Action & More
We work collaboratively with your medical team
FAQs About Arthritis Pain & Treatment
1. What is the best treatment for arthritis pain?
There is usually no single best treatment to treat arthritis pain. A combination of treatment works best; medications + strengthening + physiotherapy + joint injections + and lifestyle modifications can help manage pain and improve mobility and your quality of life.
2. When should I see a specialist?
If joint pain persists for more than a few weeks, worsens over time, or affects your daily activities, you should see a pain specialist for an evaluation and personalised treatment plan.
3. Does arthritis get worse?
While there is no cure for arthritis, effective combination treatment can control symptoms and prevent further joint damage.
4. What exercises are best for arthritis pain?
Swimming (low impact & gentle on joints)
Yoga & stretching (improves flexibility)
Strength training (supports joints)
5. What is radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for arthritis pain?
RFA is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat delivered through a needle to target and disable pain-transmitting nerves around arthritic joints, providing long-term arthritis relief. It can be used for knee arthritis, shoulder arthritis, hip arthritis.
6. How do I book an appointment?
Pain Specialists Australia offers expert arthritis treatment with short wait times. Contact us today to book your consultation.
References
If you’re interested in more, here are some references for your perusal.
The global burden, causes, and multimodal treatment of osteoarthritis.
Hunter DJ, Bierma-Zeinstra S. Osteoarthritis. Lancet. 2019 Apr 27;393(10182):1745-1759. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30417-9. PMID: 31034380.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31034380/
Discusses evidence-based non-surgical treatment options like exercise, injections, and medications.
Bannuru RR, et al. OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2019 Nov;27(11):1578-1589.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31278997/
Guidelines from the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) on multimodal care.
Zhang W, et al. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis: part III: Changes in evidence following systematic cumulative update of research published through January 2009. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2010 Apr;18(4):476-99..
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20170770/
Strong support for the effectiveness of RFA in knee arthritis pain relief.
Zhang H, Wang B, He J, Du Z. Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation for treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Int Med Res. 2021 Apr;49(4):3000605211006647.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8072859/
Evidence-based review supporting the role of physiotherapy and exercise in arthritis management.
Fransen M et al. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jan 9;1(1):CD004376. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004376.pub3. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024 Dec 3;12:CD004376.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25569281/
