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Dr. Vineetha R. Philip, MD, MPH is a rheumatologist in Houston, TX specializing in adult rheumatology. She graduated from Calicut Medical College in 2011 and has 15 years of experience. Dr. Vineetha R. Philip, MD, MPH is affiliated with Houston Methodist.
Joint Injections
A joint is any area of the body where two bones connect. Due to injury or disease, the space between the two bones can sometimes become swollen and inflamed, which leads to pain and a loss of mobility. Injection and aspiration are two tools that physicians use to treat joint pain locally without needing to perform surgery.
Both injection and aspiration are techniques that involve inserting a needle connected to a syringe directly into the joint. Aspiration involves the removal of excess fluid, and injection is the placement of medication directly into the joint space via the needle. Both procedures may be performed at the same time. In both cases a local anesthetic may be used, the skin will be cleaned and disinfected, and then the needle will be inserted. In some cases, especially if the injection or aspiration is in a large and deep joint such as the hip or spine, ultrasound may be used to guide the needle to the exact location desired.
In some cases, irritation to the joint can cause fluid to build up so significantly that the joint hurts and can no longer move well. Aspiration removes some of the excess fluid and relieves the pressure. In addition, aspiration can be used to provide a sample of joint fluid if it needs to be examined microscopically for the presence of white blood cells, bacteria, or crystal formations.
Certain injuries and diseases that affect joints are inflammatory in nature, such as rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis or gout. These diseases may be helped by the local injection of anti-inflammatory medications directly into the affected joint. In this case, corticosteroids such as methylprednisone are usually used. Relief from the pain may be felt right away and may last for weeks or even months.
In some cases, such as with osteoarthritis, the cartilage buffer between the two bones wears down and pain comes from bones rubbing against each other. In this case, injection of a lubricating agent such as hyaluronic acid may be beneficial. It provides a slippery cushion between the bones to relieve pain that can last for months.
Dr. Vineetha R. Philip, MD, MPH graduated from Calicut Medical College in 2011. She completed residency at Nuvance Health, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, New York, Internal Medicine. She is certified by the The American Board of Internal Medicine, The American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine.
Medical School: Calicut Medical College (2011)
Residency: Nuvance Health, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, New York, Internal Medicine (2022)
Board Certification: The American Board of Internal Medicine, The American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (2022)
Dr. Vineetha R. Philip, MD, MPH is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Vineetha R. Philip, MD, MPH appears to accept the following insurance providers: United Healthcare PPO, United Healthcare POS, United Healthcare HMO, United Healthcare EPO, Blue Choice PPO, Blue Choice POS, First Health PPO, Aetna POS, Aetna QPOS, Aetna Workers' Compensation, Golden Rule, Aetna Select, Aetna EPO, Trustmark , Aetna PPO, Aetna HMO, Aetna Affordable Health Choices, Aetna Signature Administrators, AARP, Medicare Advantage, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, Blue Cross Blue Shield POS, Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO, Coventry PPO, HealthSpring, US Family Health Plan, United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Humana, Cigna, Molina Healthcare, Aetna Open Access, United Healthcare Community Plan (AmeriChoice), Humana Medicare Advantage PPO, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, PHCS PPO, MultiPlan PPO, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), Aetna APCN Plus Multi-Tier HM Tier 2, GeoBlue, BCBS PPO GUIDESTONE, TRS-Care Standard ALT B II Group 485006, TRS-Care Standard ALT B I Group 485005, TRS-ActiveCare Fully Insured Plan-South Texas Region Group 295430, TX Annual Conf of UMC-UMR, Aetna Student Health, TRS-Care Standard ALT A II Group 485003, TRS-ActiveCare Primary Group 385003, Aetna Transplant, DEVOTED DUAL 010 TX (HMO D-SNP), TRS-Care Standard Group 485000, UnitedHealthOne, TRS-Care Standard ALT A I Group 485002, Blue Essentials Access, TRS-ActiveCare Fully Insured Plan-West Texas Region Group 295781, UMR, TRS-ActiveCare 2 Group 385002, DEVOTED HEALTH DUAL PLUS GREATER HOUSTON, Aetna Signature Administrators EBMS, Aetna Common Spirit Minimum Value Plan, DEVOTED CORE 019 TX (HMO), BCBS PPO Wespath, Aetna Health Network, Aetna Managed Choice / Elect Choice, United Health Integrated Services, Aetna Meritain Hlth/Aetna Premier Care (APCN), Aetna Choice POS / Open Choice, Aetna Signature Administrators Allied Benefits, Blue Edge, Blue Essentials, DEVOTED DUAL FULL 040 (HMO D-SNP), Aetna International, DEVOTED GIVEBACK 006 TX (HMO), Aetna TX Pref Plus II Network, DEVOTED C-SNP Premium 030 TX (HMO C-SNP), Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Federal Employee Plan, TRS-Care Standard CMED Group 485001, DEVOTED CORE 001 TX (HMO), Aetna Signature Administrators MODA, TRS-ActiveCare HD Group 385000, TRS-ActiveCare Primary Plus Group 385001, DEVOTED C-SNP Plus 031 TX (HMO C-SNP), DEVOTED PREMIUM 002 (HMO) and Aetna Premier Care Network.
According to our sources, Dr. Vineetha R. Philip, MD, MPH accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Vineetha R. Philip, MD, MPH has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.82 out of 5 stars based on 100 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Vineetha R. Philip, MD, MPH from all over the web to help you find the right in Houston, TX.
Dr. Vineetha Philip is an adult rheumatology specialist in Houston, TX. These areas are among her clinical interests: psoriatic arthritis, joint injections, and rheumatoid arthritis. Her patients gave her an average rating of 5.0 stars (out of 5). Dr. Philip seems to honor several insurance carriers, including Trustmark, Aetna EPO, and Blue California. Dr. Philip is conversant in Malayalam. She is professionally affiliated with Houston Methodist Hospital. She has an open panel in Houston, TX according to Houston Methodist.
