Joint
Preservation Center

What is Joint Preservation?

When cartilage deterioration due to osteoarthritis is causing persistent joint pain that interferes with your daily life, it is our goal to restore normal movement and alleviate pain to your joint – be it your shoulder, hip, or knee. Joint preservation refers to the use of nonsurgical or surgical means to preserve a deteriorating joint in order to delay or avoid joint replacement surgery. Every patient is different, so our specialists will customize your joint preservation strategy with you based on your individual situation, taking into account factors such as your age, expectations, level of joint dysfunction, and activity level.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may be a better candidate for joint preservation if your joint damage is not too advanced and your goal is to reduce pain, improve function, and delay or avoid joint replacement. Joint replacement may be considered when the joint is damaged beyond repair and conservative or preservation-focused treatments no longer provide enough relief. Joint preservation strategies are customized based on age, expectations, joint dysfunction, activity level, and each patient’s situation.

Coverage for PRP, BMAC, and other orthobiologic treatments varies by insurance plan and is often limited. TSAOG advises patients considering PRP to check eligibility with their health insurance carrier and notes that few plans provide even partial reimbursement. Patients should confirm benefits, estimated costs, and coverage requirements before treatment.

The number of sessions or injections depends on the treatment, diagnosis, severity of joint damage, and how your body responds. Some patients may start with one injection and follow up to assess symptom improvement, while others may need a series of treatments or a combined plan with therapy. Your provider will explain the expected timeline, number of visits, and follow-up plan before treatment begins.

Yes, joint preservation treatments can often be combined with physical therapy when appropriate. Therapy may help improve strength, mobility, joint mechanics, and function while injections or other treatments help manage symptoms. Your TSAOG provider can recommend the right combination based on your joint, diagnosis, and activity goals.

Joint preservation treatments may delay joint replacement for some patients, but the timeline varies widely. Factors such as age, activity level, arthritis severity, cartilage condition, alignment, overall health, and treatment response all affect how long relief may last. TSAOG’s goal with joint preservation is to preserve the deteriorating joint and delay or avoid joint replacement when possible.

Your Joint Preservation Team

FIND A LOCATION

Orthopedic Clinic at Grayson Heights

Grayson Heights
1422 East Grayson Street, Ste 102
San Antonio, TX 78208

Quarry Area

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Ridgewood Orthopaedic Center

Schertz

Medical Center

Westover Hills

WorkSmart at Grayson Heights

Brooks City Base

New Braunfels