Conditions

Understanding Arthritis Pain​

Arthritis refers to inflammation and degeneration within the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. There are numerous different forms of arthritis, but the most common are osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis) and inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis).

Arthritis can affect any joint, including the spine, hips, knees, shoulders, and hands. Pain may range from a dull ache to sharp or grinding discomfort, and it can worsen with activity, cold weather, or prolonged rest.

Typical symptoms include:

  • Persistent joint pain or tenderness
  • Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting still
  • Swelling, warmth, or redness around the joint
  • Clicking, locking, or grinding sensations (crepitus)
  • Fatigue or reduced mobility in more advanced cases

Arthritis pain arises from inflammation of joint tissues, damage to cartilage, and nerve sensitisation. Because arthritis can affect mobility, sleep, and overall wellbeing, specialist, multidisciplinary management can greatly improve comfort and function.

Wessex Pain Clinic

How We Diagnose

At Wessex Pain Clinic, diagnosis begins with a detailed medical history and physical examination, focusing on pain patterns, stiffness, swelling, and impact on daily activities.

We may arrange:

  • X-rays or MRI scans to assess joint structure and cartilage health
  • Ultrasound imaging to detect inflammation or fluid
  • Blood tests to identify inflammatory or autoimmune causes such as rheumatoid arthritis

Our consultants collaborate closely with rheumatologists, orthopaedic surgeons, and physiotherapists to ensure a precise diagnosis and coordinated care plan.

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Lifestyle and Complementary Therapies

Our partner physiotherapy and rehabilitation specialists are integral to arthritis care, focusing on:

  • Joint mobilisation and strengthening
  • Gait and posture correction
  • Exercise programmes to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness

Hydrotherapy provides gentle, supported movement that reduces joint load while enhancing mobility.

We also work with pain psychology experts to help patients manage the emotional and functional impact of chronic pain, using cognitive and behavioural techniques to improve resilience and coping.

Our consultant-led, multidisciplinary approach ensures that every aspect of arthritis pain — medical, physical, and psychological — is addressed to restore comfort and independence.

Medications

We tailor medication to the type and severity of arthritis, which may include:

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and stiffness
  • Analgesics such as paracetamol or mild opioids (for short-term use)
  • Corticosteroid injections for local inflammation control
  • Neuropathic pain medications if nerve sensitisation contributes to chronic pain

Our consultants regularly review all medication plans for safety and long-term balance of benefit and risk.

Interventional Procedures

When pain persists despite standard treatments, we offer image-guided joint and nerve procedures, including:

  • Steroid joint injections to reduce inflammation and improve mobility
  • Radiofrequency denervation for long-term pain control in knee, hip, or spinal arthritis
  • Genicular nerve blocks or nerve ablation for chronic knee pain.

Suprascapular nerve blocks for shoulder arthritis.
These procedures are minimally invasive and performed with precision imaging for accuracy and safety.

Our approach to arthritis pain is comprehensive and multidisciplinary, addressing inflammation, joint function, and quality of life.

Treatments at Wessex Pain Clinic

Treatments