Joint Pain & Arthritis Care in Hilo & Across Hawaiʻi — Medicaid (QUEST) Accepted

Joint pain often comes from osteoarthritis, the gradual wear of the cushioning cartilage in joints like the knees, hips, and hands, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. It is extremely common with age, but there is a great deal we can do to ease pain and keep you active. At Ohana Care Clinic in Hilo, we help you move better and hurt less.

What causes joint pain

The most common cause of ongoing joint pain is osteoarthritis, in which the smooth cartilage that cushions a joint wears down over time, so bones move less smoothly and the joint becomes painful and stiff. Other causes, such as inflammatory arthritis or injury, can look similar but need different treatment, which is why an accurate evaluation matters. We sort out what is driving your pain before settling on a plan.

How we treat it

The 2019 American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation guideline puts movement and self-management at the center of osteoarthritis care. Exercise and, for those carrying extra weight, weight management are strongly recommended and genuinely effective, along with physical therapy and self-management programs. For symptom relief, topical and oral anti-inflammatory medicines and joint injections have a role. We build a plan that fits your joints, your goals, and your daily life, and we coordinate referrals when a procedure or specialist is needed.

The mind-body connection

Persistent pain wears on mood, sleep, and motivation, and low mood and poor sleep in turn make pain feel worse. Because we integrate primary care and behavioral health, we can address the pain and its emotional toll together, which often improves both. We are also careful and conservative with medications that carry dependence risk.

Culturally grounded care

We care for the whole person, in the spirit of lōkahi — balance and harmony among the connected parts of life: the body, the mind and emotions, the spirit, the ʻohana (family), and our relationship with the ʻāina (land) and community. In a Native Hawaiian understanding of health, these are not separate, and neither is our care. To mālama (care for and protect) your wellbeing and to live pono (in balance and rightness), we listen to your whole story, welcome your ʻohana into the process, and honor the values and traditions that ground you. Offering kōkua (help given freely, with aloha) in a way that respects who you are is at the heart of how we practice.

Insurance and how we see you

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaiʻi QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, the Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), ʻOhana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance, and we are accepting new patients in Hilo. Primary care works best as a partnership. Your first visit is in person at our Hilo clinic. We see patients in person for physical exams, vitals, and lab work, and we use telehealth for follow-up visits, medication management, and chronic-disease check-ins whenever it is clinically appropriate.

Common questions about joint pain and arthritis

What is the best treatment for arthritis joint pain?

For osteoarthritis, the 2019 American College of Rheumatology guideline strongly recommends exercise, weight management for those who are overweight, and self-management programs, along with topical or oral anti-inflammatory medicines and sometimes joint injections for symptom relief.

Do I just have to live with joint pain as I age?

No. While osteoarthritis is common with age, the right combination of movement, weight support, therapy, and medication can meaningfully reduce pain and keep you active. We build a plan around your goals.

Can joint pain be managed by telehealth?

Much of it can, including evaluation, exercise and self-management guidance, and follow-up, with in-person visits for exams, injections, and referrals when needed.

What insurance do you accept?

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaii QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, HMSA, Ohana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance. We are accepting new patients in Hilo.

References

Kolasinski, S. L., Neogi, T., Hochberg, M. C., Oatis, C., Guyatt, G., Block, J., et al. (2020). 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee. Arthritis & Rheumatology, 72(2), 220–233. https://acrjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/art.41142

Papa Ola Lōkahi. (n.d.). Native Hawaiian health. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.papaolalokahi.org/

This page is general health education from Ohana Care Clinic, written by George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP. It is not a substitute for a personal evaluation by a qualified clinician who knows your situation, and reading it does not create a provider–patient relationship. If you think you may have a medical condition, reach out to us or another licensed provider. In an emergency, call 911.

George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP — President & Owner