Joint Pain and Arthritis Care in MéridaConservative options first.
Dr. Jelitze Sosa Colomé, orthopedic surgeon and traumatologist trained at UNAM, sees adults and older adults who live in or visit Mérida for joint pain, stiffness and arthritis — with a clear diagnosis and the least invasive path first.
Message Dr. Sosa on WhatsAppIn English · Office in Altabrisa, Mérida · Cost before you book
Joint pain is one of the most common reasons to see an orthopedist. It often affects the joints that carry load or work hard — the knee, hip, shoulder and hands. A frequent cause is osteoarthritis: the gradual thinning of the cartilage that cushions the bones inside the joint, which brings pain, stiffness and trouble with everyday activities.
It is more common with age, but it is not only about age: previous injuries, weight, work or sports demands and family history also play a part. Assuming it is “just normal” and that nothing can be done is rarely the right answer.
Dr. Sosa takes the time to listen, examine the joint and, when needed, order X-rays. Surgery is considered only when conservative options no longer control the symptoms or the wear is very advanced — never as an automatic first answer.
When to reach out
- Pain in one or more joints that starts or worsens with movement or load
- Morning stiffness, or stiffness after sitting for a long time
- A joint that creaks, grinds or feels rough
- Occasional swelling, warmth or inflammation
- Trouble with stairs, walking, bending down or lifting
- Less range of motion, or a joint that catches
- Pain that wakes you at night or no longer eases with rest
Treatment options
Clinical evaluation and diagnosis
A detailed exam of the joint and your history, with X-rays or other studies when needed, to understand the cause of the pain and the degree of wear before proposing a plan.
Rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise
A guided strengthening and mobility program for the muscles that protect the joint. It is one of the most valuable conservative tools.
Pain management and medical treatment
Medication for pain and inflammation when indicated, along with advice on activity, weight and joint care, adapted to your situation.
Joint injection
Medication placed directly into the joint in selected cases, to help control pain or inflammation. Whether it is appropriate for you is assessed individually.
The right option depends on your case. Dr. Sosa recommends a treatment only after reviewing your history and studies.
Cost of your visit
You are seen at Dr. Sosa’s office at Torre Millenium, in the Altabrisa area of Mérida. We tell you the cost of the consultation — and of any procedure or study you need — when you book, and it is generally lower than in the US or Canada. If you are visiting Mérida, let us know your travel dates so we can fit everything into your stay.
Dr. Sosa does not work with insurance companies: payment is made directly at the office, by cash, credit or debit card, or bank transfer.
After your visit
Joint pain usually improves as a process, not as a single event. Conservative measures such as therapeutic exercise and activity changes often bring gradual improvement over weeks, and they need consistency to last. Because osteoarthritis does not go away, the realistic goal is to control the symptoms, improve your strength and function, and look after the joint over time. Follow-up visits let Dr. Sosa see how you respond and adjust the plan; if non-invasive options are ever no longer enough, she will discuss the next steps with you honestly.
Frequently asked questions
Does joint wear go away?
Cartilage wear (osteoarthritis) does not fully go away with today’s treatments. What can be done in many cases is to control the pain, improve strength and function, and help you live better. Dr. Sosa prefers to be honest about this rather than promise more.
Will I need surgery?
Not necessarily. Non-invasive options come first, and for many people they are enough. Surgery is considered only when conservative treatment no longer controls the symptoms or the wear is very advanced.
Won’t exercise make my joint worse?
In general, the right therapeutic exercise strengthens the muscles that protect the joint and tends to help rather than harm. The key is the right type and intensity for you, guided individually.
What studies will I need?
Often a good exam and an X-ray are enough to guide the diagnosis. If another study is needed, Dr. Sosa explains why; she does not order studies that add nothing to your evaluation. If you already have X-rays or an MRI, you can send them on WhatsApp before your visit.
Is joint pain just part of getting older?
It is more common with age, but not exclusive to older adults. Previous injuries, weight, certain jobs or sports and heredity also play a role. That is why each case is worth evaluating instead of assuming nothing can be done.
Tell us about your case
Message Dr. Sosa on WhatsApp: tell her what is going on and, if you have them, send your X-rays, MRI or reports. You will hear back with the suggested next step and the cost, so you can plan your visit before you book anything.
WhatsApp +52 999 198 2136Messages only — appointments are arranged on WhatsApp. Dr. Sosa answers personally.
Office
Torre Millenium, Office 301A (3rd floor)
Calle 15 No. 491, Col. Altabrisa
97130 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
Parking available.
Open in Google MapsOffice hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Mérida time (Central Standard Time, UTC−6, all year).