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, 2025 · 6 min read Watch the Full Video If you are dealing with persistent shoulder pain — whether from a rotator cuff tear, tendinopathy, or impingement — your doctor may have recommended a cortisone injection. Cortisone is a well-established treatment that can provide quick symptom relief. But recent clinical evidence suggests that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may offer superior long-term results for many shoulder conditions. In t

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video The foods you eat can have a significant impact on how you experience arthritis symptoms. Recent research has shown that diet plays a vital role in managing arthritis and its associated pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Certain foods can trigger inflammatory responses and accelerate joint damage, while others can help reduce symptoms and support long-term joint health. In this article, I wi

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

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Cortisone injections have been a staple of musculoskeletal medicine for decades. They are fast, relatively inexpensive, and can deliver meaningful short-term pain relief for conditions ranging from arthritis to tendinitis and bursitis. But what does the clinical evidence actually say about the long-term consequences of cortisone shots on your tendons and joints? In my practice as a sports me

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