Whether in your hips or knees, joint pain may restrict your mobility and make it hard for you to get through your day-to-day activities. If you have severe joint pain and can’t find relief from traditional treatments, triple board-certified interventional pain management specialist Keith Schmidt, MD, can help. At his practice, Ascension Comprehensive Pain Management Program, in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Dr. Schmidt offers advanced pain management treatments to alleviate joint pain and improve health and function. Call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.

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What causes joint pain?

Your joints are the areas of your body where two or more bones meet and support your body’s mobility.

Joint pain may develop from an injury, overuse, or underlying disease that affects one or more of the many components that make up your joint. Some of the most common causes of joint pain include:

  • Arthritis
  • Sprains and strains
  • Cartilage damage or tears
  • Tendonitis
  • Bursitis
  • Infection
  • Ligament injury or tear

Though joint pain can develop in any joint in your body, the discomfort most often affects the large joints such as your hips, knees, shoulders, or elbows.

If your joint pain isn’t severe or chronic, you may be able to get relief from your discomfort with rest, over-the-counter pain medication, and physical therapy. However, if your joint pain is severe or chronic and traditional methods aren’t helping, you may benefit from an appointment at Ascension Comprehensive Pain Management Program.

Dr. Schmidt is an experienced interventional pain management specialist and has developed a reputation for being the doctor to see when other treatments fail to relieve your pain.

What can I expect during a joint pain evaluation?

When you come in for a joint pain evaluation at Ascension Comprehensive Pain Management Program, you can expect a thorough assessment.

During your exam, Dr. Schmidt asks detailed questions about your symptoms, including the pain you feel and the activities that worsen and improve your pain.

Dr. Schmidt also reviews your medical, surgical, and family history and performs a physical exam, paying close attention to the joint’s structure and function that’s causing your pain.

To better understand the root cause of your joint pain, Dr. Schmidt may request diagnostic tests such as blood work, an X-ray, or MRI.

How is joint pain treated?

Dr. Schmidt develops individualized treatment plans to manage joint pain based on the underlying cause, the severity of your symptoms, and medical history.

Your treatment plan may include:

  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Steroid injections
  • Viscosupplementation injections
  • Peripheral nerve block
  • Radiofrequency ablation
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
  • Physical therapy
  • Brace or splint

Dr. Schmidt schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your response to treatment and adjusts your plan as needed. In some cases, he may refer you to a surgeon if he thinks you may benefit from surgical intervention.

Don’t let your joint pain keep you from enjoying your life. Contact Ascension Comprehensive Pain Management Program by phone or online today to schedule a consultation.

Joint Pain Treatment in Hoffman Estates, IL

Dr. Keith Schmidt offers expert joint pain treatment for patients throughout Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, and the northwest Chicago suburbs. Whether you’re dealing with knee pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, or sacroiliac joint dysfunction, Dr. Schmidt develops targeted treatment plans to restore your mobility and quality of life.

Advanced Joint Pain Treatments

  • Intra-articular joint injections — corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections delivered directly into the affected joint
  • Sacroiliac joint injections — diagnostic and therapeutic injections for SI joint dysfunction
  • Radiofrequency ablation — long-lasting pain relief by disrupting nerve signals from arthritic joints
  • Genicular nerve blocks — targeting the nerves that carry pain signals from the knee
  • Peripheral nerve stimulation — advanced neuromodulation for chronic joint pain

Dr. Schmidt also addresses weight management, nutrition, and exercise strategies that can significantly reduce joint pain and slow degenerative changes.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Schmidt today or call (847) 981-3630.

Frequently Asked Questions About Joint Pain

What causes chronic joint pain?

The most common cause is osteoarthritis — degenerative changes in the joint cartilage that produce pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid, psoriatic, gout), post-injury joint pain, bursitis, and tendon-related conditions are other common sources. The diagnosis often determines which treatments will work best.

When is joint pain a sign of arthritis?

Joint pain that persists for weeks, comes with morning stiffness, is worse with activity (osteoarthritis pattern) or worse with rest (inflammatory pattern), and is associated with swelling or visible joint changes typically reflects an underlying arthritis. A focused exam plus imaging usually clarifies the diagnosis.

What treatments work for joint pain?

Treatment depends on the joint and the cause. For osteoarthritic knee pain, options include intra-articular injections (steroid, hyaluronic acid), genicular nerve blocks and ablation, peripheral nerve stimulation, and ultimately joint replacement when appropriate. Hip, shoulder, and other joint pain have their own targeted approaches.

Are joint injections painful?

Most joint injections are mildly uncomfortable rather than painful. We use local anesthetic to numb the skin and surrounding tissues, and image guidance ensures accurate placement. The brief pressure during the injection is typically the most noticeable sensation.

How long do joint injections last?

Steroid joint injections typically provide relief for 3 to 6 months, though duration varies by patient and joint. Hyaluronic acid injections (knee) may provide relief for 6 months or longer. Genicular nerve ablation often gives 6 to 12 months or more of relief for osteoarthritic knee pain.

What is genicular nerve ablation?

Genicular nerve ablation is a procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to disrupt the small sensory nerves around the knee — the genicular nerves — that transmit pain signals from osteoarthritic knee joints. It can dramatically reduce knee pain in patients who aren’t ready for or aren’t candidates for joint replacement.

Can I avoid joint replacement?

Many patients can substantially delay or avoid joint replacement with comprehensive interventional pain management. The right combination of injections, nerve ablations, and where appropriate neuromodulation, alongside good rehabilitation, often keeps patients active and comfortable. The decision about whether and when to proceed to joint replacement is individualized.

What lifestyle changes help joint pain?

Weight management, low-impact exercise, joint-protective movement patterns, and addressing systemic inflammation through nutrition all contribute. None of these replaces targeted medical treatment for established joint disease, but together they meaningfully reduce pain and slow progression.

When should I see a pain specialist for joint pain?

When primary-care management — medications, physical therapy, basic injections — isn’t giving you durable relief. A pain specialist can offer the broader range of interventional options, particularly nerve-targeting procedures and neuromodulation, that may keep you out of the operating room.

Does insurance cover joint injections?

Yes. Major insurance plans including Medicare cover joint injections, genicular nerve blocks and ablations, and other standard interventional joint procedures when conservative care has been tried. Our office handles prior authorization.