By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have become one of the most effective non-surgical treatments for reducing pain and improving function in patients with knee osteoarthritis . But an important question remains: can PRP actually slow down the progression of arthritis itself? A landmark randomized controlled trial by Chu et al. (2022) set out to answer that question — and the results were

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections are among the most promising nonsurgical treatments available for joint pain and musculoskeletal conditions. However, because most insurance plans do not cover these procedures, cost is one of the most common questions patients ask before pursuing treatment. Understanding the typical price range, the factors that influence pricing, and — mos

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Muscle pain is one of the most overlooked contributors to knee osteoarthritis symptoms. When patients visit their doctor for knee pain, the evaluation typically focuses on the joint itself — the bones, cartilage, ligaments, and meniscus . But the muscles surrounding the knee are rarely examined, and research suggests they may be responsible for a substantial portion of the pain that patients

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video If you have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis , one of the first questions you may ask is whether it is safe to keep walking. Many patients worry that physical activity will accelerate cartilage breakdown and make their condition worse. Some have even been told by well-meaning providers to stop exercising altogether. However, current evidence tells a very different story: walking is not

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 6 min read Watch the Full Video Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen are among the most commonly recommended medications for knee osteoarthritis . They can take the edge off a painful flare, but they come with a long list of potential side effects — gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage, elevated blood pressure, and cardiovascular complications — risks that climb steeply in the older adults who

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 6 min read Watch the Full Video If you have been told you have knee arthritis, your doctor likely used an X-ray to assess the severity of your condition. The most widely used classification tool for this purpose is the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading system , which rates knee osteoarthritis on a scale from 0 to 4. A grade of 0 indicates no signs of osteoarthritis, while a grade of 4 represents severe, bone-on-bone arthritis

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Glucosamine and chondroitin are among the most widely used dietary supplements for joint pain and arthritis. Walk into any pharmacy, and you will find shelves stocked with combination formulas promising relief. But despite decades of use, significant debate remains over whether these supplements actually deliver meaningful clinical benefits. A large 2018 systematic review published in the Br

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Turmeric and curcumin have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. Only recently has Western medicine begun to explore the surprisingly wide range of beneficial properties attributed to curcumin, including its ability to reduce pain and inflammation. But does the evidence support these claims? In this article, we review the results of several re

Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2025 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplements are among the most popular over-the-counter options people reach for when dealing with arthritis and joint pain. With their well-established role in cardiovascular and kidney health, many patients ask whether these same anti-inflammatory benefits extend to symptomatic knee osteoarthritis . The short answer? The evidence is mixed — and the clinical ef

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2025 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Meniscus tears are one of the most common knee injuries, and for patients with degenerative tears, the standard recommendation from many orthopedic surgeons remains arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that surgery should be seen as a last resort for degenerative meniscus tears, not a first-line treatment. In fact, a comprehensive non-surgical treatm

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 10 min read Watch the Full Video One of the most common questions patients ask at their first consultation is whether their health insurance will cover platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections . It is an understandable concern — PRP is one of the most effective nonsurgical treatments available for conditions like knee osteoarthritis and chronic tendon injuries, yet the vast majority of insurance companies in the United States

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Collagen supplements are marketed aggressively for joint pain, stiffness, and even slowing the progression of arthritis. Walk into any supplement aisle and you will find dozens of products claiming to rebuild cartilage and reverse joint damage. But what does the clinical evidence actually show? Collagen is a structural protein found naturally throughout the body and is a key building block of

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2025 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Collagen supplements are widely marketed for reducing joint pain, improving stiffness, and slowing the progression of arthritis. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein and a major structural component of cartilage — the tissue that cushions and protects our joints. Osteoarthritis is fundamentally a disease of cartilage loss, so the idea behind collagen supplementation is straightforward:

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, and while there is no cure, there are evidence-based strategies that can meaningfully reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Two of the most powerful — and often underappreciated — pillars of arthritis management are weight loss and an anti-inflammatory diet . In this guide, I review what the research says about how much weight loss is ne

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 6 min read Watch the Full Video Knee replacement surgery — formally known as total knee arthroplasty (TKA) — is one of the most common elective orthopedic procedures performed worldwide. It is generally considered the last resort for patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis who have exhausted conservative treatments. While many patients experience significant improvement after surgery, the reality is that not everyone w

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2025 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video If you have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis and are exploring injection options, two of the most common treatments you will encounter are platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) injections. Both are well-established, evidence-based treatments that can reduce pain and improve function, but they work through different mechanisms and come with different cost and insurance co

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2025 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video If you have knee osteoarthritis , you may have been told to try a knee brace or support sleeve. But which type is right for you? With so many options on the market, choosing the correct knee brace can feel overwhelming — and a recent study suggests that the most commonly recommended option may actually interfere with your quality of life. As a sports medicine physician , I frequently discuss

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Vitamin D is widely recognized for its role in bone health, but could it also help with arthritis symptoms? As a sports medicine physician, I frequently field questions from patients with knee osteoarthritis about which supplements are worth trying. Vitamin D is one of the most popular — and the research behind it is worth understanding before you start supplementing. In this article, I revi

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 30 min read Watch the Full Video Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have generated significant attention for their ability to treat joint pain, tendon injuries, and accelerate recovery using your body’s own healing mechanisms. But with growing interest comes a flood of questions: Does PRP actually work? How does it compare to cortisone or stem cells? Is the cost justified when insurance does not cover it? In this compreh

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 6 min read Watch the Full Video A Baker's cyst — also called a popliteal cyst — is a fluid-filled swelling that develops in the back of the knee. Named after the British surgeon Dr. William Baker, who first described the condition, it can range from a painless incidental finding on an MRI to a significant source of discomfort that limits everyday activities like bending, squatting, and walking. In my practice, Baker's cysts