HealthSpan Services. No Membership Required.
No Membership Required | No Referral Necessary | Physician-Led Care
Non-Surgical Orthopedic Procedures & Care
Adults 18+
Relieve Pain. Restore Function. Get Back to What You Love.
Our non-surgical orthopedic procedures are minimally invasive, evidence-based treatments designed to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and improve mobility so you can move better and live an active, healthier life.
At Rochester HealthSpan Medicine, we believe addressing joint pain and limited mobility is an important step toward staying active, preserving physical function, and maintaining long-term independence. Led by Dr. Carl Covey, our personalized approach focuses on careful evaluation and targeted care to help you delay or reduce the need for surgery.
What Is Non-Surgical Orthopedic Care?
Non-surgical orthopedic care focuses on evaluating and managing problems affecting the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and surrounding structures without relying on surgical procedures.
Unlike temporary fixes that only mask symptoms, a comprehensive musculoskeletal evaluation identifies the underlying source of your discomfort and considers how it impacts your daily life.
Your physician reviews your medical history, examines the affected area, evaluates your movement and function, and reviews previous treatments before recommending an appropriate plan.
Depending on your diagnosis, care may include therapeutic exercises, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, medication, or targeted in-office injections.
What Non-Surgical Orthopedic Procedures Do We Offer?
Cortisone Injections
Delivers a corticosteroid medication, often combined with a local anesthetic, into an affected joint or surrounding tissue to reduce localized inflammation, relieve pain, and improve movement for arthritis, bursitis, tendon sheath inflammation, and trigger points.
Ultrasound-Guided Joint Injections
Uses real-time imaging to visualize the treatment area and guide needle placement with greater precision, especially for deeper major joints like the shoulder and hip or areas near complex soft tissues.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections (Viscosupplementation)
Injects a naturally occurring synovial fluid component, most commonly into the knee, to support joint lubrication and potentially reduce osteoarthritis discomfort for selected patients.
Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Evaluations
Assesses persistent knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, wrist, or ankle pain, stiffness, and repetitive-use injuries to determine whether conservative therapies or targeted procedures are appropriate.
Dr. Carl Covey, MD,
CAQSM, FAAFP, DipABLM
“Joint pain and limited mobility should not keep you from living an active life. What matters most is understanding the true source of your symptoms and choosing a practical, individualized path forward. Whether you are dealing with persistent knee discomfort, shoulder pain, arthritis, or a painful tendon condition, non-surgical orthopedic procedures offer a thoughtful, physician-led way to reduce inflammation, restore movement, and support your long-term musculoskeletal health.”
No Doctor Referral Necessary | No Insurance Necessary for Self-Pay Care | No Membership Required
Why Choose Non-Surgical Orthopedic Procedures?
Feel Better. Move Better. We provide targeted, minimally invasive treatments to help you stay active.
Reduces Pain and Inflammation
Targeted treatments help decrease localized swelling and discomfort associated with selected joint and soft-tissue conditions.
Improves Joint Function and Supports Mobility
Reducing discomfort makes walking, bending, reaching, climbing stairs, and everyday movements easier.
Provides Targeted, Precise Treatment
Ultrasound guidance allows real-time visualization and accurate needle placement for deeper or complex joints.
Minimally Invasive With Little to No Downtime
Procedures are performed right in the office, allowing you to return to daily routines quickly.
Helps You Stay Active and Return to Daily Activities
Managing acute pain and inflammation improves your ability to participate in physical therapy, exercise, and work.
Can Delay or Reduce the Need for Surgery
In selected patients, conservative care and targeted injections effectively manage symptoms without immediate surgical intervention.
Accessible Self-Pay Care
No physician referral or Direct Primary Care Membership is required to schedule an orthopedic evaluation or procedure.
Non-surgical orthopedic treatments help manage symptoms and support mobility, though the degree and duration of relief vary depending on the condition and individual response.
Joint Pain and Active Living: Why Mobility Matters
Your Joints Change. Your Movement Matters Too.
Musculoskeletal wear, inflammation, and repetitive stress can affect joints and tendons throughout adulthood. Conditions such as osteoarthritis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel, and tendonitis can cause stiffness, swelling, and restricted movement that interfere with work, exercise, recreation, and sleep.
Maintaining comfortable joint function is essential for staying physically active, preserving strength, and supporting long-term independence.
You do not need to wait until pain severely limits your daily routine to seek a thorough musculoskeletal evaluation.
At Rochester HealthSpan Medicine, we look beyond the isolated location of your pain. With over 24 years of clinical experience, Dr. Carl Covey evaluates your medical history, movement patterns, previous treatments, and lifestyle factors to recommend practical, sustainable care.
Not every painful joint requires an injection. When conservative measures such as targeted exercises, physical therapy, or activity adjustments are more suitable, your physician will guide you toward the right option.
Dr. Carl Covey, MD, CAQSM, FAAFP, DipABLM
Sports Medicine | Family Medicine | Lifestyle Medicine
Non-Surgical Orthopedic Injections Comparison
| Feature | Cortisone Injections | Ultrasound-Guided Injections | Hyaluronic Acid (Viscosupplementation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Reduce localized inflammation and pain | Enhance needle accuracy via real-time imaging | Supplement joint lubrication in selected knee osteoarthritis cases |
| Target Conditions | Arthritis, bursitis, tendon sheath, plantar fascia, carpal tunnel, trigger points | Deeper major joints (shoulder, hip) or complex anatomy | Selected knee osteoarthritis when clinically appropriate |
| Imaging Used | Anatomical landmark guidance | Real-time ultrasound visualization | Anatomical or imaging guidance as indicated |
| Onset and Duration | Relief may last weeks to months, varying by condition | Depends on medication administered | May develop gradually over weeks and last several months |
| Key Limitations | Does not repair cartilage or cure arthritis | Does not eliminate injection risks or guarantee relief | Mixed clinical evidence; not recommended for routine use |
Important: Neither cortisone nor hyaluronic acid injections regenerate damaged cartilage or cure osteoarthritis. Your physician evaluates your diagnosis, medical history, and clinical guidelines before recommending any procedure.
What to Expect During Your Orthopedic Appointment
Step 1: Comprehensive Physician Evaluation
Step 2: Personalized Treatment Recommendations
Step 3: In-Office Treatment & Recovery Guidance
Your physician explains your clinical findings and discusses appropriate options, including physical therapy, therapeutic exercises, lifestyle changes, medication, or a targeted injection. If an injection is considered, you will review expected benefits, risks, limitations, and alternatives.
Understanding the Risks and Considerations of Joint Injections
Injection treatments are generally safe when performed by a trained and experienced physician, though every medical procedure carries potential risks and limitations.
Treatment outcomes vary depending on the underlying condition, anatomical site, medication used, and individual health factors.
Not all conditions are suitable for injections. Your physician will review your medical history to determine if this treatment is appropriate for you.
Important considerations include:
Temporary soreness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site may occur.
A temporary flare in pain after injection is possible before relief begins.
Rare risk of infection exists with any injection procedure.
Very low risk of tendon or ligament weakening or cartilage damage may occur with repeated steroid injections, depending on the site and frequency.
Other potential corticosteroid effects include temporary blood glucose elevation, skin pigmentation changes, or localized fat loss.
Hyaluronic acid injections may cause temporary swelling, warmth, stiffness, or discomfort, and rarely more significant inflammatory reactions.
Clinical evidence for hyaluronic acid is mixed, and major professional guidelines generally do not recommend its routine use for knee osteoarthritis.
Neither cortisone nor hyaluronic acid injections regenerate cartilage or reverse osteoarthritis.
Our goal is to help you make a well-informed decision based on clinical evidence, individual risk factors, and your personal mobility goals.
Non-Surgical Orthopedic Procedures Pricing
Invest in Better Mobility and a More Active Future
Comprehensive Orthopedic Consultation
| Patient Category | Consultation Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-Members | $99 |
| RHM Members | $79 |
Your visit includes a thorough physician evaluation of your medical history, musculoskeletal exam, and personalized treatment plan.
Consultation Fee Credit: If Dr. Covey determines that an orthopedic procedure is medically necessary and appropriate, your consultation fee is applied directly toward the procedure fee.
Cortisone Injections Pricing
| Procedure | Non-Member | RHM Member |
|---|---|---|
| Major Joint (Knee / Shoulder / Subacromial bursa / Hip bursa) | $198 | $158 |
| Intermediate Joint (Wrist / Elbow / Ankle) | $168 | $134 |
| Small Joint (Finger / Toe) | $158 | $126 |
| Plantar Fascia | $168 | $134 |
| Carpal Tunnel Injection | $198 | $158 |
| Tendon Sheath / Ligament | $178 | $142 |
| Trigger Point (1–2 muscles) | $128 | $102 |
| Trigger Point (3+ muscles) | $158 | $126 |
| Sinus Tarsi | $168 | $134 |
Ultrasound-Guided Injections Pricing
| Procedure | Non-Member | RHM Member |
|---|---|---|
| Major-Joint Injection (Shoulder / Hip joints) | $278 | $222 |
Hyaluronic Acid / Viscosupplementation Pricing
Requires a separate clinical assessment to confirm eligibility, medication selection, and treatment schedule. Medication cost is additional to the physician's applicable procedure fee and may be covered by health insurance depending on your plan and prior authorization. All medication charges are reviewed before treatment.
Pricing is subject to change. Procedures are performed only when clinically indicated. Please confirm current fees and availability when scheduling.
No Doctor Referral Necessary
No Insurance Necessary for Self-Pay Care
No Membership Required
Call 585-662-5510 to Schedule Your Appointment
Most Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Non-surgical orthopedic consultations and injection services are available to patients who are not enrolled in Rochester HealthSpan Medicine's Direct Primary Care Membership Services. Members receive the discounted member pricing listed above.
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No physician referral is required to schedule a self-pay non-surgical orthopedic consultation or procedure.
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Not necessarily. Your physician first evaluates your symptoms, medical history, and examination findings to determine whether an injection is appropriate. Some procedures may be performed during the initial visit, while others require a separate appointment.
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Some patients experience relief lasting several weeks to months, while others may have a shorter response or limited improvement. The duration depends on the condition being treated, the injection location, and individual factors.
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Ultrasound guidance can improve needle placement accuracy, particularly for deeper joints like the hip or shoulder, or areas with complex anatomy. However, it is not necessary for every injection and does not guarantee greater pain relief in all circumstances.
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No. Cortisone injections help manage localized inflammation and pain, but they do not regenerate damaged cartilage or reverse the underlying changes associated with osteoarthritis.
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No. Evidence for viscosupplementation is mixed, and routine use is generally not recommended by major professional guidelines. Your physician can discuss whether there is a reasonable clinical indication to consider it for your specific case.
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You may experience a brief sensation of pressure, discomfort, or temporary soreness during or after an injection. A local anesthetic may be used when appropriate to keep you comfortable, and the experience varies depending on the treatment area.
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Most procedures are minimally invasive with little to no downtime. Specific activity recommendations depend on the procedure and the joint or tissue treated, and your physician will provide clear instructions on modifying activity and returning to exercise.
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Rochester HealthSpan Medicine offers these consultations and procedures as transparent self-pay services, so insurance is not necessary to access care. Certain separately charged medications, including some hyaluronic acid preparations, may be covered by insurance depending on your plan and eligibility.
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Yes. When Dr. Covey determines that an orthopedic procedure is medically appropriate, your consultation fee is applied directly toward the procedure fee.
Relieve Pain. Restore Function. Get Back to What You Love.
Take the First Step Toward Better Mobility
At Rochester HealthSpan Medicine, we combine over 24 years of Sports Medicine expertise, careful diagnostic evaluation, and evidence-based care to help you manage joint pain without unnecessary surgery. Whether you are dealing with persistent knee discomfort, shoulder pain, arthritis, or a tendon condition, our team provides clear answers and individualized treatment options.
Call 585-662-5510 to Schedule an Appointment.