Our Convenient Locations
Canton Location
MI Express Urgent & Primary Care
44237 Michigan Ave Suite B, Canton, MI 48188
Monday - Friday : 9 AM - 7 PM
Saturday - Sunday : 10 AM - 6 PM
Ann Arbor Location
MI Express Urgent & Primary Care
80 S Zeeb Rd Unit 101 B, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Monday - Friday : 9 AM - 7 PM
Saturday - Sunday : 10 AM - 6 PM
Symptoms
- Joint stiffness, especially first thing in the morning
- Visible swelling around the affected joint
- Aching that worsens with activity or with weather changes
- Reduced range of motion in the affected joint
- A grinding, creaking, or catching feeling with movement
What Causes It
Most joint pain that develops gradually, rather than from a specific injury, traces back to one of these common contributors.
- Osteoarthritis, or wear on the joint's cartilage over time
- Years of repetitive use or overuse of the joint
- A prior joint injury that changed how the joint wears
- A genetic tendency toward joint problems
- Ongoing weight-bearing strain on the joint over time
When to See a Doctor
Some morning stiffness is common with arthritis, but a few patterns suggest it is time for an evaluation rather than waiting it out further.
- Stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes each morning
- Swelling around a joint that does not resolve on its own
- Pain that has noticeably changed how you move through your day
Managing a Chronic Condition, Not Just a Flare
Arthritis doesn't resolve after one course of treatment the way an acute tendon injury might. It's a chronic condition, and the honest goal is ongoing management rather than a single fix. That usually means a combination of joint-friendly movement, treatment timed around flares, and knowing the difference between a flare that needs a same-week visit and one you can manage at home for a few days first with rest and over-the-counter relief. We'll be direct with you about that distinction rather than presenting treatment as a cure.
How We Treat Arthritis & Joint Pain
Steroid joint injection: a fast, targeted way to calm down an arthritis flare, often the quickest path to real relief when a joint is acting up.
Learn more about steroid joint injections.
PRP: uses your own blood platelets to support the joint's healing response, worth asking about for longer-term management between flares.
Learn more about PRP therapy.
Shockwave Therapy: worth asking about when tendon involvement is also contributing to the joint pain, non-invasive with no downtime.
Learn more about shockwave therapy.Because arthritis affects joints differently depending on which one is involved and how advanced it is, the right combination and sequence of these treatments is decided during your evaluation rather than applied the same way to every joint.
Why MI Express Urgent & Primary Care
Managing arthritis is an ongoing relationship, not a one-time procedure, and that's how Dr. Umayr Azimi, MD, dual board-certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine, approaches it. Follow-up visits, adjusting treatment as your joints change over time, and being available when a flare hits are part of the plan from the start, at either our Canton or Ann Arbor location, with walk-in availability seven days a week.
For arthritis affecting the knee specifically, you can also read more on our Osteoarthritis Management page.
Book My AssessmentFrequently Asked Questions
PRP is often considered for early-to-moderate arthritis, using your own platelets to support the joint's healing response. Dr. Azimi can confirm if it fits your case.
Frequency depends on the joint and your overall treatment plan. Dr. Azimi will discuss a safe schedule based on your specific situation during your visit.
It can help in some cases, particularly when tendon involvement is also present. PRP or injections are often the primary recommendation for arthritis itself.
No, arthritis is typically managed on an ongoing basis rather than cured in one visit. Dr. Azimi will discuss a long-term plan tailored to your joint and symptoms.
