Osteoarthritis Clinic
An interdisciplinary, non-surgical approach to osteoarthritis, including a joint-injection service. Each injection has its own guide: what it is, what the evidence says, what to expect, and how to prepare.
Injection options
A hyaluronic-acid injection for osteoarthritis of the joint. The evidence is mixed, and a fee applies.
Read guideInjectionA steroid injection to settle an inflamed, painful joint. Short-term relief, weighed honestly.
Read guideInjectionAn injection prepared from your own blood. Full guide coming soon.
Read guideThe clinic assesses and treats a range of common joint, tendon, and nerve problems. Each guide explains the condition, and is honest about where an injection does and does not help.
Osteoarthritis
The most common joint we treat. Aches, stiffens, and swells with use.
Read guideOsteoarthritisWear of the hip joint, usually felt in the groin or thigh.
Read guideOsteoarthritisWear of the main shoulder joint. Deep ache and stiffness with movement.
Read guideOsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis of the finger joints, common with age and in families.
Read guideOsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis at the base of the thumb. Pinching and gripping hurt.
Read guideTendon & soft tissue
A finger that catches, clicks, or locks. Injection usually works well.
Read guideTendon & soft tissuePainful tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Injection often helps.
Read guideTendon & soft tissueOuter-elbow tendon pain. Here the injection evidence is cautionary.
Read guideTendon & soft tissueInner-elbow tendon pain. Like tennis elbow, exercise is the mainstay.
Read guideTendon & soft tissueOuter-hip pain, usually gluteal tendons. Exercise beats injection long-term.
Read guideNerve entrapment
For osteoarthritis that may need surgery, we co-manage with orthopaedic surgery at St. Michael's, including rapid-access consults with Dr. Amir Khoshbin, Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery, whose focus is hip and knee joint replacement. A conservative-management pathway (education, exercise, and load management), including evidence-based group programs such as GLA:D Canada, sits alongside the injection service.
Clinic team
MD, FRCPC, MScCH · Rheumatology
Program Director, U of T Rheumatology · Division Head, St. Michael's
BSc, BScPT, MBA, ACPAC
Advanced Practice Physiotherapist · Allied health
BScPT, MRSc, ACPAC
Advanced Practice Physiotherapist · Allied health
Living well
Take the strain off sore or swollen joints, at home and at work.
Read guideOT guidePlan and pace your day so fatigue does not run the show.
Read guideOT guideTechniques, gentle exercises, and splints for hand and wrist arthritis.
Read guideOT guideWhy it matters for arthritis, what actually helps, and free Ontario programs.
Read guide