By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. For decades, it was widely understood as a simple wear-and-tear condition — the gradual breakdown of cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in a joint. But recent research has fundamentally changed that view. We now know that osteoarthritis is a complex, multifactorial disease driven in lar

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video If you take a statin medication for cholesterol management, you may have experienced tendon pain and wondered whether the two are connected. For years, patients have reported tendon problems while on statins, but the scientific evidence has been mixed. A large nationwide cohort study now provides some of the strongest evidence to date confirming that statin use is associated with a significa

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Concussions are one of the most common injuries in sports, yet they remain surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Should you rest in a dark room for a week? When is it safe to look at your phone? Can you exercise, or will that make things worse? The answers to these questions have shifted dramatically based on recent research, and understanding the latest evidence can make a meaningful diffe

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 6 min read Watch the Full Video Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions I treat in my sports medicine practice . It is characterized by the progressive deterioration and loss of cartilage inside the knee joint. While many patients assume that arthritis means the end of an active lifestyle, understanding the warning signs early can help you take the right steps to manage symptoms and preserve joint function.

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video If you have been dealing with persistent tendon pain — whether in the Achilles, patellar tendon, elbow, or rotator cuff — you have probably been told you have "tendonitis" and that the problem is inflammation. But here is the truth: most chronic tendon pain has very little to do with inflammation. The real culprit is tendon degeneration , and the underlying cause is often as much metabolic as

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Knee pain is not random. Where you feel the pain can serve as a powerful diagnostic clue to the underlying problem. By understanding the source of your symptoms, you can take the appropriate first steps toward recovery. As a board-certified sports medicine physician , I evaluate knee pain every day in my clinic. In this guide, I walk through 15 of the most common causes of knee pain, organize

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video For decades, surgery was considered the only reliable option for repairing torn tendons. Partial tears of the rotator cuff, in particular, present a clinical challenge because they rarely heal on their own and tend to worsen over time. However, emerging research suggests that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may offer a compelling nonsurgical alternative — one that not only reduces pain

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy, and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have transformed the landscape of medical weight loss. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes management, these medications are now generating excitement for an entirely different reason: their potential role in treating arthritis . Emerging clinical evidence suggests that GLP-1 agonists may not only r

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 5 min read Watch the Full Video If you are struggling with back pain , one of the simplest and most effective treatments may already be in your home. Heat therapy — using heating pads, wraps, or portable heat patches — has been shown in clinical research to reduce pain and improve function more effectively than common over-the-counter painkillers. In my practice, I routinely recommend heat as a first-line approach for acute

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Stem cell therapy has become one of the most talked-about treatments in the world of joint pain and arthritis. The promise is alluring: a single injection that could repair damaged cartilage, eliminate chronic pain, and restore mobility without surgery. But does the science actually support the hype? As a sports medicine physician who specializes in orthobiologic treatments , I want to walk

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 5 min read Watch the Full Video If you have knee osteoarthritis and conventional treatments like over-the-counter pain medications or cortisone injections have not provided adequate relief, genicular nerve blocks may be a treatment worth considering. This ultrasound-guided procedure targets the specific nerves responsible for transmitting knee pain to the brain, offering meaningful short-term relief that can help you get mo

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 04, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Cupping therapy has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly after high-profile athletes like Michael Phelps appeared at the Olympics sporting those distinctive circular marks. But for patients dealing with chronic musculoskeletal pain, the real question isn't about celebrity endorsements — it's whether this ancient practice actually delivers measurable results. In this pos

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Red light therapy and low-level laser therapy are increasingly being used to treat a wide range of painful conditions, from osteoarthritis and tendonitis to chronic neck and back pain. These treatments fall under the broader category of photobiomodulation (PBM), and they are emerging as safe, drug-free alternatives for managing pain and reducing inflammation. In this article, I review the la

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 04, 2026 · 5 min read Watch the Full Video Achilles tendonitis is one of the most common conditions I see in my sports medicine clinic. Patients often arrive frustrated after weeks of pain in the back of their ankle, wondering whether they need expensive treatments or lengthy rehabilitation programs. The good news? One of the most effective interventions is surprisingly simple and affordable: a heel lift. Recent clinical trials sugg

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2025 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have become one of the most promising regenerative medicine treatments for osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Clinical trials continue to demonstrate that PRP can outperform many conventional treatments — but not all PRP is created equal. There are three critical mistakes that can undermine the effectiveness of your PR

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 10 min read Watch the Full Video Living with knee osteoarthritis often means navigating a confusing landscape of treatment options, especially when it comes to injections. If cortisone shots have given you little to no lasting improvement, you are far from alone. The good news is that there are several alternatives worth considering, and the clinical evidence behind them continues to grow. In this guide, we will compare the

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2025 · 20 min read Watch the Full Video What Is Knee Osteoarthritis and Why Is It So Complex? Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is defined by the progressive loss of cartilage within the joint. Despite its prevalence, most patients have a limited understanding of the condition and the full range of treatment options available. In my practice, I frequently encounter patients who have received incomplete o

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 12 min read Watch the Full Video Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries, affecting athletes and older adults alike. They can cause significant pain and disability in some people, yet in others they produce no symptoms at all. This disconnect is one of the main reasons there is so much confusion surrounding meniscus tear treatment — patients often receive conflicting advice from different providers. In this a

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Platelet-rich plasma ( PRP ) injections have become one of the most effective nonsurgical treatments for knee osteoarthritis. However, what many patients and even physicians do not realize is that not all PRP injections are created equal. The number of platelets delivered during treatment — known as platelet dosing — plays a critical role in determining whether PRP will actually work. In this

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Frozen shoulder — clinically known as adhesive capsulitis — is one of the most frustrating conditions I treat in my sports medicine practice. Patients often arrive having received conflicting advice: some were told to wait it out, others to get surgery, and many were never informed about the full range of evidence-based options available today. In this comprehensive guide, I break down every