Long-COVID Joint Pain—Your Non-Surgical Options in Arizona

It started three months after you “recovered” from COVID. First, your knees ached in the morning. Then your shoulders joined the party. Now, eighteen months later, you’re exhausted by noon, your joints feel like they’re on fire, and your doctor just shrugs and says “Long-COVID” like that explains everything.

You’re not alone. The CDC estimates 17.6 million Americans are living with Long-COVID symptoms. For many, joint and muscle pain has become a daily battle that traditional medicine seems unable to win. Anti-inflammatories barely touch it. Physical therapy helps some days, hurts others. And nobody seems to know when—or if—it will end.

At Arizona Pain and Spine Institute, Dr. Asim Khan and Dr. Daniel Ryklin are seeing a new wave of patients: previously healthy, active adults now struggling with persistent joint pain that started after COVID-19. The good news? They’re finding success with targeted treatments that address the unique inflammatory patterns of Long-COVID. The key is knowing which treatment fits your specific situation.

Why COVID Attacks Your Joints (Even Months Later)

To understand treatment, you need to understand what’s happening in your body. Long-COVID joint pain isn’t like regular arthritis or injury—it’s a systemic inflammatory response gone haywire.

Research from 2024 shows that COVID-19 can trigger several mechanisms that lead to persistent joint pain:

Immune system dysfunction: Your immune system gets stuck in overdrive, continuously producing inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha. This creates widespread inflammation that settles in joints, causing pain and stiffness.

Autoimmune activation: Studies found that 31-40% of Long-COVID patients meet the criteria for fibromyalgia. The virus appears to trigger autoimmune responses where your body attacks its own tissues.

Vascular damage: COVID damages blood vessels, reducing circulation to joints and surrounding tissues. Poor blood flow means less oxygen and nutrients reaching damaged areas, slowing natural healing.

Viral persistence: Some researchers believe viral fragments remain in tissues, continuously triggering inflammation even after the active infection clears.

This isn’t “just inflammation” that ibuprofen can fix. It’s a complex, multi-system dysfunction that requires targeted intervention.

The Decision Framework: Which Treatment for Your Long-COVID Pain?

Not all Long-COVID joint pain is the same. Arizona Pain and Spine Institute uses a strategic approach to match treatment to your specific presentation:

When Amniotic Stem Cells Are Your Best Option

Amniotic stem cell therapy makes sense when you have:

Multiple joints affected simultaneously. If your knees, shoulders, and hips all hurt, systemic regenerative therapy can address multiple areas in one treatment.

Evidence of tissue damage on imaging. MRI showing cartilage loss, tendon damage, or joint degeneration that started or worsened after COVID.

Failed conservative treatments. You’ve tried NSAIDs, physical therapy, and maybe even steroid injections without lasting relief.

Age under 65 with good baseline health. Younger patients with better healing capacity often respond best to regenerative treatments.

How it works for Long-COVID: Amniotic stem cells contain powerful anti-inflammatory factors that can “reset” the overactive immune response. They release growth factors that promote tissue repair while modulating the cytokine storm that perpetuates inflammation. Dr. Khan explains, “We’re not just treating the joint—we’re addressing the systemic inflammation that Long-COVID creates.”

Treatment involves injecting amniotic cells directly into affected joints using ultrasound guidance. For Long-COVID patients, they often combine local injections with IV therapy to address systemic inflammation.

Expected timeline: Initial improvement in 2-3 weeks, significant relief by 6-8 weeks, continued improvement for 3-6 months.

When PRP Is the Smarter Choice

Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy is ideal when:

Single or few joints affected. If it’s mainly your knee or shoulder, targeted PRP can be more cost-effective than stem cells.

Mild to moderate symptoms. PRP works well for lower-grade inflammation without significant tissue damage.

Budget constraints. At $1,500-$4,000, PRP costs significantly less than stem cell therapy.

Need for repeated treatments. PRP can be safely repeated every 3-6 months if needed.

How it works for Long-COVID: Your own platelets contain growth factors that reduce inflammation and promote healing. For Long-COVID patients, PRP helps restore normal inflammatory balance in affected joints.

The process: Blood draw, centrifuge to concentrate platelets, injection into affected joints—all in one 30-minute visit.

Expected timeline: Pain reduction in 2-4 weeks, peak benefit at 2-3 months, effects lasting 6-12 months.

When Radiofrequency Ablation Is the Answer

RFA becomes the treatment of choice when:

Nerve-mediated pain predominates. Burning, electrical, or radiating pain suggests nerve involvement.

Specific spinal joints affected. Facet joint pain in the neck or back responds excellently to RFA.

Failed injection therapies. If steroids or other injections provided only temporary relief.

Need for longer-lasting relief. RFA can provide 6-24 months of pain reduction.

How it works for Long-COVID: RFA uses heat to interrupt pain signals from affected nerves. This is particularly effective when COVID has caused nerve hypersensitivity or neuropathic pain.

Dr. Ryklin notes, “Many Long-COVID patients develop central sensitization—their nervous system amplifies pain signals. RFA can break that cycle.”

Expected timeline: Initial soreness for 1-2 weeks, then progressive improvement, full benefit by 4-6 weeks, lasting 6-24 months.

The Combination Approach: Why One Treatment Often Isn’t Enough

Here’s what Arizona Pain and Spine Institute has learned treating hundreds of Long-COVID patients: combination therapy often works best.

A typical treatment progression might look like:

Phase 1 (Weeks 1-2): Comprehensive evaluation including inflammatory markers, imaging, and functional assessment. Start with targeted injections to the worst affected areas.

Phase 2 (Weeks 3-8): Based on response, add PRP to moderately affected joints or consider amniotic stem cells for systemic inflammation.

Phase 3 (Months 2-6): Monitor progress, add RFA for any nerve-mediated pain, optimize with physical therapy.

Maintenance: Some patients need periodic PRP boosters or repeat RFA to maintain improvement.

Real Patient Outcomes: The Tech Worker’s Story

Sarah, a 38-year-old software engineer from Scottsdale, developed Long-COVID in January 2023. By June, she couldn’t type without wrist pain, her knees hurt climbing stairs, and brain fog made coding impossible.

“Dr. Khan started with PRP in my wrists—I needed to work. When that helped but didn’t resolve everything, we did amniotic stem cells systemically with targeted injections in my knees. Six months later, I’m back to rock climbing. The joint pain is 90% better, and surprisingly, my brain fog lifted too—apparently reducing systemic inflammation helps everything.”

This isn’t unusual. Many Long-COVID patients report improvements beyond just joint pain when inflammation is properly addressed.

What Insurance Covers (And What It Doesn’t)

Let’s be frank about costs—this is often the deciding factor:

Generally Covered:

• Initial consultations and evaluations
• Diagnostic imaging (MRI, X-rays)
• Physical therapy
• Some RFA procedures (with proper documentation)
• Traditional steroid injections

Rarely Covered:

• PRP therapy ($1,500-$4,000 per treatment)
• Amniotic stem cell therapy ($15,000-$25,000)
• Combination protocols

Arizona Pain and Spine Institute offers FastTrack cash-pay options and payment plans. Many patients find that returning to work and activities justifies the investment.

When to Act: The Treatment Window Matters

Early intervention appears crucial. Patients who begin treatment within 6-12 months of symptom onset generally have better outcomes than those who wait years.

Dr. Ryklin explains: “The longer inflammation persists, the more secondary damage occurs. Chronic inflammation leads to cartilage breakdown, tendon degeneration, and central sensitization. Treating early can prevent these cascading problems.”

Warning signs you shouldn’t wait:

• Joint pain persisting more than 3 months post-COVID
• Multiple joints becoming affected over time
• Declining function despite rest
• Development of new autoimmune markers
• Progressive fatigue alongside joint pain

The Step-by-Step Path Forward

If you’re dealing with Long-COVID joint pain, here’s your action plan:

1. Document your symptoms: Track which joints hurt, when, and what makes it better or worse. Note any patterns with fatigue or other Long-COVID symptoms.
2. Get proper imaging: Not just X-rays—MRI can show inflammation and soft tissue changes that X-rays miss.
3. Test inflammatory markers: CRP, ESR, IL-6, and autoimmune panels help determine your inflammatory profile.
4. Consult with specialists: Not all pain doctors understand Long-COVID. You need someone who recognizes its unique patterns.
5. Start with least invasive options: Unless you have severe damage, try PRP before stem cells, targeted treatments before systemic ones.
6. Commit to the process: Long-COVID recovery isn’t instant. Most patients need 3-6 months of treatment to see significant improvement.

Why Arizona Pain and Spine Institute for Long-COVID?

Since the pandemic, Dr. Khan and Dr. Ryklin have developed specific protocols for Long-COVID patients, recognizing that traditional pain management often falls short.

Their approach includes:

• Recognition of Long-COVID as a legitimate, complex condition
• Experience with the unique inflammatory patterns it creates
• Access to multiple treatment modalities under one roof
• Coordination with other specialists as needed
• Realistic expectations and transparent communication

They’ve treated everyone from ICU survivors to people who had “mild” COVID but developed severe Long-COVID symptoms. Each case is different, which is why individualized treatment planning is essential.

Take Control of Your Long-COVID Recovery

Living with Long-COVID joint pain doesn’t have to be your new normal. While researchers work to understand this condition fully, effective treatments exist now that can significantly improve your quality of life.

The key is finding the right treatment for your specific situation—whether that’s amniotic stem cells for widespread inflammation, PRP for targeted joint recovery, RFA for nerve-mediated pain, or a strategic combination.

Don’t wait for Long-COVID to “just go away.” Take action by calling Arizona Pain and Spine Institute at (480) 986-7246. Ask about their Long-COVID consultation to determine which treatment approach fits your symptoms, timeline, and budget.

Visit their Long COVID treatment page or learn more about regenerative medicine options.

You survived COVID. Now it’s time to reclaim your life from its lingering effects.

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Medical disclaimer: This article provides general information about Long-COVID treatment options. Individual results vary significantly. Long-COVID is a complex condition still being researched. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers about your specific symptoms and treatment options.