Skip to main content
Under New Leadership | Same location, renewed commitment to compassionate care, clinical excellence, and a patient-first approach
Canyon Pain Center
Call (602) 603-2282 New Patients Start Here
HomeConditionsArthritis
Arthritis Care

Arthritis treatment in Phoenix, Arizona.

Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling don't have to dictate your day. Our providers evaluate your arthritis, confirm what's driving the pain, and build a non-surgical plan to reduce it, so you can keep moving.

Call (602) 603-2282 New Patients Start Here →
Individualized care plans Transparent pricing Serving Phoenix & nearby
Care you can count on
A thorough evaluation at every first visit, no guesswork
Individualized, non-surgical treatment plans
Injections, medication management & rehab under one roof
Ongoing monitoring, not one-and-done visits
702 E Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ
The short answer

When should you seek care for arthritis?

See a doctor when joint pain or stiffness lasts more than two to four weeks, a joint is swollen or warm, or pain starts limiting everyday activities like walking, gripping, or climbing stairs. Arthritis care means diagnosing which type of arthritis you have, then reducing pain and inflammation with medication management, targeted injections, and rehabilitation, usually without surgery.

Arthritis is one of several chronic conditions we treat as part of comprehensive pain management in Phoenix. Early evaluation matters: the sooner pain is controlled, the easier it is to protect strength and mobility.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Patricia S. Sullivan, MD MPH, Board Certified in Pain Management Procedures by the American Academy of Procedural Medicine
Arthritis care at a glance
Who it's for: adults with joint pain, stiffness, or swelling lasting 2+ weeks
What we do: evaluation, diagnosis, and a non-surgical treatment plan
First visit: symptom review, exam, and imaging review in one appointment
To schedule: request a Comprehensive Pain Evaluation online or by phone
Where: 702 E Bell Rd, Phoenix, serving North Phoenix, Scottsdale & Paradise Valley
Symptoms

Does this sound like your joints?

Arthritis shows up differently for everyone. If one or more of these fits, an evaluation can tell you what's going on.

Morning stiffness
Joints feel locked or slow to loosen for 30 minutes or more after waking.
When it matters: stiffness lasting over an hour can point to inflammatory arthritis.
Swelling & warmth
A joint looks puffy, feels warm to the touch, or is tender under light pressure.
When it matters: sudden, severe swelling deserves prompt evaluation.
Deep aching in knees, hips or hands
Pain that builds with activity and eases with rest, often in weight-bearing joints.
When it matters: pain that limits daily tasks is treatable, don't wait it out.
Grinding or clicking
A gritty, grinding sensation (crepitus) as cartilage wears and bone surfaces change.
When it matters: paired with pain, it's a sign imaging can help confirm the cause.
Reduced range of motion
You can't fully bend, straighten, or rotate a joint the way you used to.
When it matters: early treatment protects the mobility you still have.
Flare-ups with weather or activity
Pain that spikes with cold, storms, or overuse, then settles, and returns.
When it matters: recurring flares respond well to a managed plan.
Types we treat

Which kind of arthritis is it?

The right treatment depends on the type. Your evaluation starts with a clear diagnosis.

Osteoarthritis
Most common · wear-related

Gradual breakdown of joint cartilage, most often in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. Pain typically worsens with activity and improves with rest. We manage it with anti-inflammatory strategies, joint injections, activity modification, and strengthening to unload the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Autoimmune · inflammatory

An autoimmune condition where the immune system inflames the joint lining, often affecting the same joints on both sides of the body with prolonged morning stiffness. We manage the pain side, co-managing with your rheumatologist so disease treatment and pain relief work together.

Facet & spinal arthritis
Spine-focused

Arthritis in the small facet joints of the spine causes localized neck or back pain that worsens with standing or leaning back. Targeted injection options may help confirm and treat the source when clinically appropriate, determined after your evaluation.

How we evaluate

Four steps to a clear diagnosis

1
Symptom review
We listen first: which joints, when it hurts, what makes it better or worse.
2
History & imaging
We review your medical history, medications, and any X-rays or MRIs, or order what's needed.
3
Physical exam
A hands-on exam of joint motion, swelling, and strength to pinpoint the pain generator.
4
Treatment plan
You leave with a written plan: what we'll try first, what's next, and when we'll reassess.
Treatment options

How we treat arthritis pain

Most plans combine two or three of these. Your provider matches treatments to your type of arthritis, goals, and health history.

Calm pain & inflammation
Medication management
For ongoing osteoarthritis or rheumatoid pain
Provider-supervised regimens, from anti-inflammatories to carefully monitored pain medication, reviewed and adjusted at every visit. About our pain management approach →
Joint & facet injections
For localized pain that meds haven't touched
Corticosteroid and anesthetic injections delivered directly to the affected joint or spinal facet to reduce inflammation at its source. Explore pain management injections →
Trigger point injections
For muscle knots guarding arthritic joints
Muscles around a painful joint often tighten protectively and become painful themselves. Trigger point injections release those knots. How trigger point injections work →
Restore strength & movement
Physical rehabilitation
For stiffness and limited range of motion
Guided strengthening and mobility work that supports the muscles around your joints, reducing load on worn cartilage and keeping you active. See our services →
Chiropractic care
For spine-related arthritis stiffness
Gentle, arthritis-appropriate adjustment and mobilization to improve spinal movement and ease facet-related stiffness. About chiropractic care →
PRP regenerative medicine
For early-to-moderate osteoarthritis
Platelet-rich plasma from your own blood, injected into the joint to support the body's repair response. Candidacy is determined after evaluation, and results vary. Learn about PRP therapy →
Why Canyon

Why patients choose us for arthritis care

Arthritis is ongoing, your care should be too. We build long-term treatment relationships, not one-time procedures.

Meet our providers →
Individualized planning
Your plan reflects your arthritis type, activity goals, and health history, not a template.
Experienced providers
Evaluations and procedures from a team with decades of pain management experience.
Ongoing monitoring
We track what's working at every follow-up and adjust before small problems grow.
Respectful, judgment-free care
Chronic pain is real. You'll be heard, believed, and treated with dignity here.
Your care team

Dr. Patricia S. Sullivan, MD MPH

Administrator and Director of Canyon Pain Center, Dr. Sullivan has focused the last 12 years on pain management, workers’ compensation, and legal medicine.

Board Certified in Pain Management Procedures · American Academy of Procedural Medicine
Arizona Facility PMC9612
Read Dr. Sullivan's full bio →
What to expect

From request to a clear plan, step by step

No surprises, here's exactly how getting started works.

1
Request an evaluation
Call us or start with our evaluation request form. Tell us about your pain, your history, and what you want to change.
2
We explain everything first
Our team explains the appointment price, payment expectations, and what to bring, then finds the earliest appropriate time.
3
Your first visit
Bring a photo ID, medication list, and any prior imaging. You'll get an evaluation, a diagnosis discussion, and a written treatment plan.
4
Follow-up & ongoing management
We monitor your response, adjust treatments, and keep your referring provider in the loop, so your arthritis care keeps working as your needs change.
FAQ

Arthritis care questions, answered

Something else on your mind? Request an evaluation or call (602) 603-2282.

We bill select PPO insurance plans directly on an out-of-network basis; with all other plans your visit is self-pay. Our team verifies your plan and explains the appointment price before you schedule. Start with our evaluation request form.
When joint pain or stiffness lasts more than two to four weeks, a joint is swollen or warm, or pain limits daily activities like walking, gripping, or stairs. Earlier evaluation means easier treatment.
Yes, most arthritis pain is managed without surgery through medication management, targeted injections, and rehabilitation. If a surgical evaluation ever becomes appropriate, we coordinate that referral for you.
Osteoarthritis is gradual wear of joint cartilage; rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition inflaming the joint lining. We treat pain from both, co-managing rheumatoid arthritis alongside your rheumatologist.
New patients are typically seen in about 7 days. Call (602) 603-2282 and our team will explain the process, pricing, and the earliest appropriate appointment.
A photo ID, current medication list, and any prior imaging or records related to your joint pain. Arriving 15 minutes early helps with paperwork.

Related care & resources

Low Back Pain
Facet arthritis is a common driver of chronic low back pain.
Learn more →
Neuropathy
Nerve pain can accompany or mimic arthritis, we treat both.
Learn more →
Pain Management Injections
The full range of injection options we offer for joint and spine pain.
Learn more →
Pain Library
Patient education articles on arthritis, joint pain, and more.
Browse articles →
Ready to take arthritis pain seriously?
Start with a comprehensive evaluation and a clear plan forward. Our team explains pricing and scheduling before you book.
Call (602) 603-2282 Request a Comprehensive Pain Evaluation