Arthritis

Arthritis Treatment in Lahore & Rawalpindi

Arthritis can’t be reversed, but the right physiotherapy can significantly reduce your joint pain and stiffness and help you move freely again — without surgery. At PMC (Pain Management Clinic) by Dr. Waqar Ali, we help patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other joint conditions manage pain, protect their joints, and stay active through a personalized, non-surgical treatment plan that combines advanced physiotherapy machines, hands-on therapy, and targeted exercise. Start with a detailed joint assessment at our Lahore or Rawalpindi centers.

What is arthritis, and which type do you have?

Arthritis means inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. It isn’t a single disease — there are over 100 types, but the most common ones we treat at PMC are:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type — often called “wear-and-tear” arthritis. The protective cartilage that cushions your joints gradually breaks down, most often in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. It’s more common with age, previous joint injury, or being overweight.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joint lining, causing swelling, pain, and stiffness — often in the same joints on both sides of the body. RA needs ongoing medical management from a rheumatologist; our physiotherapy works alongside that care to keep you mobile and reduce pain.

Common symptoms of arthritis

Arthritis symptoms usually develop gradually and vary by joint and type. The most common signs include joint pain that worsens with activity or after rest, stiffness that is often worst in the morning or after sitting still, swelling, warmth, or tenderness around a joint, a reduced range of movement, a grating or crackling sensation in the joint (crepitus), and muscle weakness around the affected joint. If these symptoms are affecting your daily life, an early assessment helps slow the impact and keep you active.

When should you see a doctor urgently?

Most arthritis is managed gradually, but seek prompt medical attention if you have a single joint that becomes suddenly very swollen, red, hot, and painful (this can signal infection or gout), a high fever alongside joint pain, or rapid, severe loss of function in a joint. These need urgent evaluation rather than routine care. If you’re unsure, our team can assess you quickly and direct you to the right care.

How we treat arthritis at PMC

Physiotherapy cannot cure arthritis, but it is one of the most effective ways to control pain, protect your joints, and preserve movement — and clinical guidelines recommend exercise-based therapy as a core treatment for osteoarthritis. Our approach is non-surgical, evidence-based, and tailored to your joints and type of arthritis:

Detailed joint assessment. Dr. Waqar Ali and our team assess the affected joints, your movement, strength, and daily limitations, and identify which type of arthritis is driving your pain.
Advanced physiotherapy machines. We use modern therapeutic equipment — such as electrotherapy (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound, heat and laser therapy, and shockwave therapy where appropriate — to reduce joint pain and inflammation as part of your plan.
Manual (hands-on) therapy. Gentle joint mobilization and soft-tissue techniques ease stiffness and improve range of movement in affected joints.
Targeted strengthening and low-impact exercise. Building the muscles around a joint takes pressure off it and is the best-proven way to reduce arthritis pain and maintain function. We design safe, progressive programs suited to your joints.
Joint protection, posture and lifestyle guidance. We teach you how to move, sit, and use your joints to reduce strain, plus practical advice on activity and weight management that eases load on painful joints.

For inflammatory types like rheumatoid arthritis, we coordinate with your medical treatment rather than replacing it — combining your medication plan with physiotherapy for the best mobility and comfort.

Can arthritis be cured?

There is currently no cure for most types of arthritis, but it can be managed very effectively. Physiotherapy, exercise, and the right treatment plan can significantly reduce pain and stiffness, protect your joints, and keep you active and independent. At PMC, our goal is to control your symptoms and preserve your movement without surgery.

Can you treat arthritis without surgery or heavy medication?

Yes. Many people manage arthritis well with non-surgical care — physiotherapy, exercise, joint protection, and lifestyle changes. For inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, we work alongside your prescribed medical treatment to improve mobility and comfort.

Which joints and types of arthritis do you treat?

We commonly treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis affecting the knees, hips, hands, shoulders, and spine, as well as related joint pain. Your assessment identifies the type and the best plan for you.

Is physiotherapy effective for arthritis?

Yes. Exercise-based physiotherapy is recommended by clinical guidelines as a core treatment for osteoarthritis, and it also benefits other types of arthritis. Strengthening the muscles around a joint, improving movement, and reducing pain all help you stay functional and delay disability.

Does exercise make arthritis worse?

No — done correctly, the right exercise reduces arthritis pain rather than worsening it. Inactivity actually increases stiffness and weakness. We design safe, low-impact, progressive programs tailored to your joints so you strengthen them without overloading them.

How soon will I feel improvement?

Arthritis is a long-term condition, so we focus on steady, lasting improvement. Many patients notice less pain and easier movement within the first few weeks of a consistent plan, with continued gains over time

Ready to ease your arthritis pain?

Don’t let joint pain and stiffness limit your life. Book a detailed assessment with PMC by Dr. Waqar Ali and get a personalized, non-surgical plan to manage your arthritis and keep you moving. Lahore: +92-320-7177607 Rawalpindi: +92-312-0796089

+92 320 7177607 - LHR

+92 312 0796089 - RWP