How to Treat Joint Pain Without Surgery
Joint pain can be life-altering, making it difficult to walk, work, or enjoy the activities you love. But surgery isn’t always the first step.
At San Antonio Orthopædic Specialists, our team of fellowship-trained surgeons understands that every patient is unique. That’s why we’ve created Joint Health Specialists, a division of SAOS dedicated to advanced non-surgical treatment options that relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you move forward, without the need for an operation.
“We want to help you manage your arthritis, and our goal is actually, even though we’re surgeons, is to keep you from having surgery.”
Whether you're dealing with arthritis, soft tissue injuries, or early joint degeneration, our goal is to help you feel better using the least invasive approach possible.
Here are the top non-surgical solutions we offer:
1. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP is a regenerative medicine treatment that uses the healing components of your own blood to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function.
How it works:
We draw a small sample of your blood, spin it down to isolate the platelet-rich plasma, and inject it into the affected joint. PRP is often used in the knees, hips, shoulders, and other areas where soft tissue or cartilage damage contributes to pain.
A patient with PRP Therapy may benefit from the treatment if they:
Prefer a natural, drug-free treatment option
Have mild to moderate joint damage or soft tissue pain
Want to avoid or delay surgery while staying active
2. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections
If your joints feel stiff, creaky, or inflamed, Hyaluronic Acid Injections may help. This gel-like substance mimics your joint’s natural lubrication, helping to reduce friction and improve movement.
How it works:
As arthritis progresses, your joint fluid becomes thinner and less effective. HA injections restore cushioning in the joint, reducing friction between bones and easing discomfort.
HA injections are especially helpful for patients who:
Are not ready for surgery
Want to remain active
Need help managing osteoarthritis symptoms without medication
3. Lipogems (Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue Injections)
Lipogems is an FDA-cleared technology that uses your own fat tissue to cushion and support healing in damaged joints. It’s ideal for patients looking for a natural, long-lasting solution to arthritis and soft tissue pain.
How it works:
During a minimally invasive procedure, a small amount of fat is taken, typically from your abdomen or thigh. This fat is then processed into micro-fragmented tissue that contains powerful reparative cells and is injected into the painful joint. Lipogems is a one-time, outpatient procedure that offers long-lasting benefits without the need for synthetic materials or foreign substances.
Patients who benefit most from Lipogems include those who:
Have more advanced arthritis but aren’t ready for surgery
Want long-lasting relief without relying on medication
Prefer using their body’s own tissue for healing and recovery
4. Iovera Pain Management
Iovera is a breakthrough, non-invasive treatment that uses precision cold therapy to stop pain at its source. Often referred to as "cryoanalgesia," this method provides targeted pain relief by safely freezing the nerves that transmit pain signals.
How it works:
A handheld device applies controlled cold to peripheral nerves around the knee (or other joints), temporarily stopping the nerve from sending pain signals to the brain. Iovera is a great option if you need short-term relief for a special event, travel, or simply want to function better without relying on medications.
The Iovera Pain Management program is beneficial to patients who:
Need temporary pain relief for special events, travel, or recovery periods
Want to avoid medications or injections
Are preparing for surgery and want improved function beforehand
Why Choose Joint Health Specialists at SAOS?
At Joint Health Specialists, we take a comprehensive and patient-first approach. Our providers are trained in the latest non-surgical technologies, and we work closely with our surgical team to ensure continuity of care, whether you’re managing early arthritis or preparing for a future joint replacement. Our fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists create personalized plans to help you stay active, pain-free, and surgery-free for as long as possible.
Our mission is to help you stay active, stay mobile, and delay or avoid surgery altogether.
Take the Next Step Toward Relief—Without Surgery
If joint pain is holding you back, you don’t have to wait until surgery becomes your only option.
Schedule a consultation with Joint Health Specialists at San Antonio Orthopædic Specialists to explore personalized, non-surgical solutions that can help you move better and live with less pain.