Is the Joint Relief Institute Legitimate? What You Should Know

It’s a smart question to ask—and one we encourage. When it comes to your health, you should absolutely research any medical practice before trusting them with your care. Skepticism isn’t rude; it’s responsible.

Joint Relief Institute is a legitimate, licensed medical practice that has treated over 40,000 patients across four clinic locations since 2015. But rather than asking you to take our word for it, let’s walk through the verifiable facts so you can decide for yourself.

JRI by the Numbers

Here’s a snapshot of Joint Relief Institute’s track record—all verifiable through public sources:

Our Physician Team

Every injection at Joint Relief Institute is performed by a board-certified physician—not a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or technician. Our team includes:

• Michael Hana, MD — Founder and Medical Director. Triple board-certified in internal medicine, pain management, and sports medicine. Dr. Hana founded JRI in 2015 with the mission of providing an effective, non-surgical alternative to knee replacement for osteoarthritis patients.

• Ermin Arriola, MD — Board-certified physician specializing in pain management and interventional procedures.

• Rahul Khapekar, DO — Board-certified physician with expertise in musculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic techniques.

• Julie Kafka, MD — Board-certified physician focused on patient-centered pain management.

• Katrina Nguyen, DO — Board-certified physician specializing in minimally invasive pain treatments.

You can verify any physician’s board certification through the American Board of Medical Specialties and their medical license through your state’s medical board. We encourage you to check—legitimate practices have nothing to hide [6].

Learn more about our full team on our About page.

What Makes JRI Different from Other Clinics

Several factors distinguish Joint Relief Institute from general orthopedic or pain management practices:

1. Fluoroscopy-Guided Injections (Every Single Time)

This is our most important clinical differentiator. Studies show that blind (unguided) knee injections miss the joint space up to 30% of the time [1]. If the medication doesn’t reach the joint, it can’t work.

At JRI, every injection is performed under fluoroscopy—real-time X-ray imaging that allows the physician to visualize the needle entering the joint space. This guarantees 100% accurate placement. Learn more about the role of fluoroscopy in hyaluronic acid injections.

2. Specialization, Not Generalization

Many clinics offer viscosupplementation as one of dozens of services. At JRI, gel injections for joint pain are our primary focus. This specialization means:

• Our physicians have performed more viscosupplementation procedures than most general practitioners will in their entire careers
• We maintain relationships with manufacturers of 10+ FDA-approved hyaluronic acid formulations, allowing us to match the right product to each patient
• Our clinical protocols are refined by tens of thousands of patient outcomes

3. Honest Recommendations

We don’t perform surgery. We don’t sell expensive unproven treatments. If our evaluation determines that gel injections aren’t the right option for you—whether because your arthritis is too advanced or because another treatment would serve you better—we’ll tell you honestly and refer you to an appropriate specialist.

This matters because our incentive structure is aligned with your interests: we only recommend treatment when we believe it will genuinely help.

Verifiable Patient Reviews

Our reputation is built on patient outcomes, and those outcomes are reflected in publicly verifiable reviews:

Google Reviews

With a 4.9-star average across all locations, JRI maintains one of the highest patient satisfaction ratings in the non-surgical orthopedic space. These reviews are posted by verified Google users and cannot be fabricated or edited by the business.

“I was hesitant at first because I’d never heard of gel injections. But after my first treatment, I could walk up stairs without pain for the first time in years. The staff was professional and the doctor explained everything clearly.”

— Patricia L.

“My orthopedic surgeon told me I needed a knee replacement. I decided to try JRI first. Two years later, I’m still doing great with gel injections every six months.”

— James W.

You can read all reviews directly on Google Maps by searching “Joint Relief Institute” at any of our locations. We also compile patient testimonials on our Reviews page.

How to Spot Fake Reviews (and Verify Ours Are Real)

When evaluating any medical practice’s reviews, look for:

• Specific details about the experience (not vague praise)
• Varied writing styles (not templated language)
• Both positive and constructive feedback (no real business has 100% perfect reviews)
• Responses from the business to reviews (shows engagement)
• Consistency across platforms (Google, Yelp, Healthgrades)

Clinical Evidence Supporting Our Approach

JRI’s treatment approach is supported by peer-reviewed clinical research:

• 88.7% patient satisfaction rate documented in a study tracking 782 patients across 16 clinics over six years [2]
• 73.6% of patients experienced at least 50% pain reduction from viscosupplementation [2]
• 66% improvement in pain scores after multiple treatment courses [2]
• EUROVISCO 2024 guidelines confirm viscosupplementation as an effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis [3]
• Medicare Part B coverage for qualifying patients—a treatment must meet federal efficacy standards to be approved for Medicare reimbursement [4]

These aren’t proprietary studies or in-house data. They’re published in peer-reviewed medical journals and available for anyone to review.

What to Look for in Any Legitimate Medical Practice

Whether you’re evaluating JRI or any other clinic, here’s a checklist for verifying legitimacy:

Credentials & Licensing

• Physicians are board-certified (verifiable through ABMS)
• Practice holds appropriate state medical licenses
• Facility meets safety and health department standards

Transparency

• Treatment costs are discussed before procedures
• Insurance coverage is verified in advance
• Risks and limitations are explained honestly
• The practice is willing to refer you elsewhere if their treatment isn’t appropriate

Clinical Standards

• Evidence-based treatments with published research support
• Imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or ultrasound) for injection accuracy
• FDA-approved products and medications
• Established protocols for patient safety

Track Record

• Multiple years in practice
• Publicly verifiable patient reviews (Google, Healthgrades)
• Consistent positive outcomes across a large patient population
• No significant disciplinary actions (check state medical board)

JRI meets every item on this checklist. We believe any practice you consider should too.

Common Concerns Addressed

”I’ve never heard of gel injections. Is this a real treatment?”

Viscosupplementation has been FDA-approved and used in the United States since the 1990s. It’s been performed on millions of patients worldwide and is covered by Medicare Part B. It’s not experimental—it’s a well-established treatment with decades of clinical evidence [3]. Read more about how gel injections work, whether viscosupplementation is worth it, or how it compares to cortisone injections. If you’ve been told you’re bone-on-bone, learn about gel injections for bone-on-bone knees.

”Why haven’t I heard of JRI from my orthopedic surgeon?”

Orthopedic surgeons specialize in surgical solutions. While many are aware of viscosupplementation, it’s not their primary treatment modality. A surgeon recommending a non-surgical alternative would be referring you away from their own practice. This isn’t a criticism of surgeons—it’s simply how medical specialization works.

”Is this just a sales pitch for an expensive procedure?”

Medicare covers viscosupplementation for qualifying patients, and most patients with coverage pay only a modest coinsurance amount. We verify your insurance and explain estimated costs before any treatment. If you don’t qualify for coverage, we’ll tell you that upfront too. Read our full Medicare coverage guide.

”What if it doesn’t work for me?”

Not every patient responds to viscosupplementation. Clinical data shows approximately 88.7% satisfaction, which means roughly 11% of patients don’t achieve their desired outcome [2]. If gel injections don’t provide adequate relief, we’ll discuss alternative options honestly—including surgical referral when appropriate. Trying gel injections does not limit your future treatment options in any way. Read about potential side effects so you know exactly what to expect [5].

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Joint Relief Institute accredited?

JRI operates as a licensed medical practice in Illinois and Minnesota, with all physicians maintaining active board certifications and state medical licenses. You can verify physician credentials through the American Board of Medical Specialties and each state’s medical board.

Does JRI accept Medicare?

Yes. We accept Original Medicare (Parts A and B), most Medicare Advantage plans, and many private insurance plans. Our billing team verifies your coverage before any treatment is performed. Learn about Medicare coverage for gel injections.

Can I visit JRI for a second opinion?

Absolutely. Many of our patients come to us after being told surgery is their only option. We provide an honest evaluation and will tell you whether we believe gel injections can help your specific condition—or whether surgical consultation would be more appropriate. Our bone-on-bone treatment guide explains every option available so you can come to your appointment informed.

How do I schedule an appointment?

Call (800) 238-9307 to speak with our patient coordinator. We can typically schedule consultations within a few days at any of our four locations.

See for Yourself

The best way to evaluate any medical practice is to experience it firsthand. At Joint Relief Institute, we offer consultations where you can:

• Meet with a board-certified physician
• Have your imaging reviewed
• Get an honest assessment of your candidacy
• Understand your insurance coverage and costs
• Ask any questions you have about our practice or treatment

Call (800) 238-9307 today to schedule your consultation. We’ve built our reputation on 40,000+ patient outcomes—and we’re confident the experience will speak for itself.

Sources

1. Accuracy of Blind vs. Image-Guided Intra-Articular Knee Injections. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jcm

2. Long-Term Outcomes of Single versus Multiple Courses of Viscosupplementation for Osteoarthritic Knee Pain: Real-World, Multi-Practice Experience Over a Six-Year Period. PMC, 2021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8364370/

3. EUROVISCO Consensus Guidelines for the Use of Hyaluronic Acid Viscosupplementation in Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 2024. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19476035241271970

4. Medicare Coverage for Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2025. https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/

5. Gel Injection Side Effects: What to Expect. Joint Relief Institute Blog. https://jointreliefinstitute.com/blog/gel-injection-side-effects

6. Joint Relief Institute About Page. https://jointreliefinstitute.com/about