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Dr. Vineetha Rachel Philip, MPH, MD is a rheumatologist in Houston, TX specializing in adult rheumatology. Dr. Vineetha Rachel Philip, MPH, MD is affiliated with Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston Methodist and Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital.
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.
She completed residency at Nuvance Health, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, New York.
Residency: Nuvance Health, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, New York (2022)
Dr. Vineetha Rachel Philip, MPH, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Vineetha Rachel Philip, MPH, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Self-Pay/Uninsured, CIGNA Open Access, 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, TRICARE, Best Doctors, Aetna Select, Aetna EPO, Trustmark , Aetna PPO, Beech Street PPO, Aetna HMO, CIGNA Network, Aetna Affordable Health Choices, Aetna Signature Administrators, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA POS, CIGNA HMO, Aetna Medicare PPO, CIGNA EPO, CIGNA Choice Fund, CIGNA Indemnity, AARP, Medicare Advantage, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, Blue Cross Blue Shield POS, Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO, USA Managed Care PPO, Three Rivers Provider Network, Coventry PPO, HealthSpring, US Family Health Plan, United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Provider Select PPO, Medicare, Railroad Medicare, Humana, Cigna, Molina Healthcare, HealthSmart PPO, WellPoint, HealthSmart, Aetna Open Access, United Healthcare Community Plan (AmeriChoice), Humana Medicare Advantage PPO, Galaxy PPO, CIGNA Network Open Access, PHCS PPO, MultiPlan PPO, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), Aetna APCN Plus Multi-Tier HM Tier 2, GeoBlue, Entrust/90 Degree EDI Payer ID# 36878, TRS-Care Standard ALT B II Group 485006, TRS-Care Standard ALT B I Group 485005, Community Health Choice PREMIER Gold, NPPN, TRS-ActiveCare Fully Insured Plan-South Texas Region Group 295430, Aetna Student Health, TX Annual Conf of UMC-UMR, Letter of Guarantee, Kelsey Seybold Affiliate Network, TRS-Care Standard ALT A II Group 485003, Aetna Transplant, TRS-ActiveCare Primary Group 385003, TRS-Care Standard Group 485000, UnitedHealthOne, TRS-Care Standard ALT A I Group 485002, DEVOTED HEALTH CORE GREATER HOUSTON HMO, Community Health Choice PREMIER Silver, Blue Essentials Access, UMR, TRS-ActiveCare Fully Insured Plan-West Texas Region Group 295781, TRS-ActiveCare 2 Group 385002, HAA Preferred Partners (International), Aetna Common Spirit Minimum Value Plan, BCBS PPO Wespath, Aetna Health Network, Aetna Managed Choice / Elect Choice, United Health Integrated Services, Aetna Meritain Hlth/Aetna Premier Care (APCN), Olympus Managed Care (International), Aetna CommonSpirit Health KelseyCare, Aetna Medicare HMO Prime, Aetna Choice POS / Open Choice, Aetna Signature Administrators Allied Benefits, Blue Edge, IND. MEDICAL SYSTEMS, Blue Essentials, Aetna International, Aetna Common Spirit Health KelseyCare, DEVOTED HEALTH PRIME GREATER HOUSTON HMO, Aetna Medicare Dual Complete Plan (HMO D-SNP), Aetna TX Pref Plus II Network, Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Federal Employee Plan, TRS-Care Standard CMED Group 485001, TRS-ActiveCare HD Group 385000, Aetna Signature Administrators TX Annual Conf of UMC and Aetna Premier Care Network.
According to our sources, Dr. Vineetha Rachel Philip, MPH, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Vineetha Rachel Philip, MPH, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 1 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Vineetha Rachel Philip, MPH, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Houston, TX.
Dr. Vineetha Philip is a specialist in adult rheumatology. She speaks Malayalam. Her clinical interests include psoriatic arthritis, joint injections, and rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Philip is professionally affiliated with Houston Methodist Hospital. Her practice in Houston, TX is open to new patients as reported by Doctor.com.
