Arthritis and joint pain care at Cheema Medical Complex, Mohali
Joint pain is one of the most common problems we see, especially knee pain in people over 45. Arthritis can make walking, climbing stairs, sitting on the floor, praying and household work painful. The good news is that most people with arthritis can stay active for many years with the right treatment, and those whose joints are worn out can get relief from joint replacement.
At Cheema Medical Complex (CMC Hospital), on Mohali Stadium Road in Phase 4, the orthopaedic department diagnoses and treats arthritis with X-ray, a pathology lab for blood tests, physiotherapy and surgery all in one hospital. We see patients from Mohali, Chandigarh, Zirakpur, Kharar and across the Tricity.
Types of arthritis and joint pain
Osteoarthritis
The most common type. The smooth cartilage in the joint wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, swelling and a grating feeling. It most often affects the knees, hips, hands and spine. Age, weight, old injuries, family history and work that loads the joints all raise the risk.
Rheumatoid arthritis
An autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints. It often affects the small joints of both hands and feet, with morning stiffness lasting more than half an hour, swelling and tiredness. Early diagnosis and treatment protect the joints from damage.
Other causes of joint pain
- Gout: sudden, very painful swelling, often of the big toe, caused by uric acid crystals
- Joint pain after an injury, such as a ligament or meniscus tear in the knee
- Tendinitis and bursitis around the joints
- Joint infection, an emergency, with a hot, swollen, very painful joint and fever
Signs it is time to see an orthopaedic doctor
- Joint pain lasting more than a few weeks
- Stiffness in the morning or after sitting
- Swelling, warmth or a joint that looks deformed
- Pain that wakes you at night or limits walking
- A knee that locks, catches or gives way
Come to the emergency, open 24 hours, for a hot, red, swollen joint with fever, or after an injury when you cannot put weight on the leg.
How we diagnose arthritis
At the orthopaedic OPD (Monday to Saturday, 10:30 am to 5:00 pm), the doctor will ask about your pain and stiffness, examine the joints, and check your walking. Depending on what is found:
- X-rays show cartilage loss, bone spurs and deformity
- Blood tests at the hospital lab help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, gout and infection
- MRI may be used for injuries or early changes not seen on X-ray
Treatment options
Lifestyle and self-care
- Weight management: losing weight is one of the most effective ways to ease knee and hip pain.
- Regular, joint-friendly exercise: walking on flat ground, cycling, swimming and strengthening exercises.
- Footwear and walking aids: cushioned shoes, and a stick in the opposite hand for a painful knee or hip.
- Heat or cold packs for pain and stiffness.
Physiotherapy
Strengthening the muscles around a joint takes load off it. Our physiotherapy team, in the same hospital, builds a programme for your joint and your fitness: thigh and hip strengthening for knee arthritis, stretching for stiffness, and balance work to prevent falls.
Medicines
Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicines, used carefully and for the shortest time needed, can ease pain. Rheumatoid arthritis and gout need specific medicines to control the disease, along with regular blood tests.
Joint injections
For some patients, an injection into the knee or another joint can ease a painful flare and make exercise possible. The doctor will discuss which injection suits you and how often it is sensible.
Supports and braces
Knee supports or braces can help some patients with arthritis on one side of the knee.
Surgery
When the joint is badly worn and pain stays severe despite all of the above, joint replacement can give lasting relief. See knee replacement surgery and hip replacement surgery. Younger patients with a mechanical problem, such as a torn meniscus, may be helped by keyhole surgery instead.
Treatments such as specific injection types or newer therapies vary. Ask during your consultation what is available at CMC and what the doctor recommends for your joint.
Living well with arthritis
- Stay active every day, even on days with some pain.
- Pace yourself: break big tasks into smaller ones.
- Use chairs and toilets at a comfortable height if sitting on the floor is painful.
- Keep follow-up appointments, especially for rheumatoid arthritis, where medicines need monitoring.
- Look after your bones: ask about calcium, vitamin D and osteoporosis checks if you are over 50.
Knee arthritis: which treatment fits which stage
| Stage | What it feels like | What usually helps |
|---|---|---|
| Early | Pain after long walks or stairs, some stiffness | Weight management, strengthening exercises, footwear, short courses of medicine |
| Moderate | Daily pain, swelling, difficulty sitting on the floor | Physiotherapy, medicines, knee support, injections for flares |
| Advanced | Pain at rest and at night, deformity, walking badly limited | Knee replacement, after discussion with the surgeon |
The X-ray and how much the knee limits your life together decide the stage. Two people with similar X-rays can feel very different, so treatment is planned for you, not for the X-ray alone.
Common myths about arthritis
- “Exercise will wear the joint out faster.” The right exercise strengthens the muscles that protect the joint and usually reduces pain.
- “Arthritis is just old age, nothing can be done.” Many treatments reduce pain and keep people active for years.
- “I should rest the joint completely.” Long rest makes joints stiffer and muscles weaker.
- “Knee replacement is only for the very old.” It is offered based on pain and joint damage, not age alone.
- “Oil massage will cure arthritis.” Massage may feel soothing, but it does not rebuild cartilage.
When to see a doctor quickly
A joint that suddenly becomes hot, red and very swollen, especially with fever, needs urgent attention, because it can be an infection or gout. The emergency at Cheema Medical Complex is open 24 hours.
Related care
Back pain often comes with arthritis of the spine; see spine and back pain treatment.
Why Cheema Medical Complex
- Orthopaedic care by Dr. Gaurav Jain, MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), FISM (Spain), whose work includes joint replacement and rheumatoid arthritis management.
- X-ray, lab tests and physiotherapy in the same hospital.
- Physicians on site for diabetes, blood pressure and other conditions common in older patients.
- Joint replacement in the same hospital when it is needed.
- On Mohali Stadium Road, Phase 4, close to Chandigarh, Zirakpur and Kharar, and trusted since 1988.
Book a joint pain consultation
Call 8054922340 or book an appointment online. Bring any X-rays and a list of your medicines.