Non-Surgical Relief for Knee Arthritis: Advanced Regenerative Therapies to Avoid Surgery

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones gradually wears away. As the cartilage thins and roughens, bone can begin to rub on bone, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion.

Key Features & Symptoms

• Pain with Activity: Often felt deep within the knee, it typically worsens when climbing stairs, standing from a seated position, or after prolonged standing or walking.
• Stiffness: More noticeable after inactivity—many patients report “first-step pain” in the morning or after sitting.
• Swelling & Tenderness: Inflammation of the joint lining can lead to visible swelling, warmth, and tenderness around the knee.
• Crunching or Popping Sounds (Crepitus): The roughened cartilage surfaces can produce a grinding sensation when the joint moves.
• Reduced Mobility: Over time, loss of cartilage and joint space narrowing can limit your ability to fully straighten or bend the knee.

Why It Develops

Osteoarthritis of the knee can result from:

• Age-related “wear and tear”—cartilage becomes less resilient over decades of use.
• Previous Injuries—torn ligaments or meniscus tears can accelerate cartilage breakdown.
• Repetitive Stress or Overuse—jobs or sports that place constant load on the knees.
• Genetics and Alignment Issues—bow-legged or knock-kneed alignment increases stress on specific parts of the joint.
• Underlying Conditions—obesity, metabolic disorders, or inflammatory diseases.

Knee arthritis affects millions of people around the world, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility that can make everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or even standing up from a chair a struggle. In the United States alone, an estimated 14 million adults suffer from symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee each year, and this number is expected to continue rising with an aging population. Traditional management options—ranging from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy to corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections—often provide only temporary symptom relief. When these conservative measures fail, many patients face the prospect of knee replacement surgery, which carries risks, extended recovery time, and significant costs.

Traditional Treatments & Their Limitations

1. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs):
   Over-the-counter or prescription NSAIDs can temporarily relieve pain and reduce inflammation, but long-term use carries risks of gastrointestinal irritation, cardiovascular strain, and kidney damage.
2. Corticosteroid Injections:
   Injected directly into the joint, steroids often provide significant short-term relief (4–6 weeks) by tamping down inflammation. However, repeated injections can weaken cartilage and have diminishing returns over time.
3. Hyaluronic Acid (Viscosupplementation):
   These “gel” injections aim to lubricate the joint and cushion impact, with relief typically lasting three to six months. Many patients find the benefit is modest, and efficacy varies widely.
4. Physical Therapy & Bracing:
   Strengthening the muscles around the knee and using supportive braces can improve function and off-load stress from worn areas, but these approaches do not halt cartilage degeneration and require ongoing commitment to exercise regimens.
5. Pain Relief Gels & Topical Analgesics:
   Creams, patches, and balms containing ingredients like capsaicin or menthol can offer mild, localized relief but are rarely sufficient for moderate or severe arthritis.

While these conventional therapies can make daily life more manageable, none address the underlying loss of cartilage. Their effects are temporary, and many patients eventually find their relief waning—often leading to consideration of more invasive options like knee replacement. Regenerative treatments aim to fill this gap by promoting tissue repair rather than simply masking symptoms.

Cutting-edge regenerative medicine offers a promising alternative by harnessing the body’s own healing capabilities. Therapies such as mesenchymal stem cell injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and Autologous Conditioned Serum (also known as *Regenokine or *Orthokine) can reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, and improve joint function—without the need for invasive surgery.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy: Harnessing Your Body’s Repair Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can be sourced from umbilical cord tissue, a patient’s own fat (nano-fat or stromal vascular fraction), or bone marrow. When injected into an arthritic knee, these cells release a variety of growth factors and cytokines—such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)—that modulate the immune response, decrease destructive inflammation, and encourage the regeneration of cartilage. Clinical evidence supports the use of MSCs in knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of 15 randomized trials demonstrated that patients receiving stem cell injections experienced reduction in pain and improvement in joint function at six months, with benefits sustained beyond one year. Moreover, higher-dose protocols—administering 10 to 20 million cells in a single session—have been associated with even greater improvements in moderate to severe osteoarthritis.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: Concentrated Growth Factors

Platelet-rich plasma is an autologous concentrate of blood platelets containing five to ten times the concentration of growth factors found in normal plasma. When carefully prepared and injected into the affected knee, PRP delivers potent factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) directly to the site of cartilage damage. These proteins stimulate cellular proliferation, attract reparative stem cells, and inhibit inflammatory mediators that contribute to joint degeneration. In randomized clinical trials, PRP injections have shown superior outcomes compared to only hyaluronic acid therapy, with up to 30% greater pain relief at three months and sustained benefit for more than a year. Approximately 70% of patients report meaningful improvements in mobility and a decrease in pain levels one year after PRP treatment.

Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS) Therapy: Targeted Anti-Inflammatory Action

Autologous Conditioned Serum (also known as Regenokine or Orthokine) is an autologous conditioned serum created by incubating a small sample of the patient’s blood to enrich it in anti-inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). When this serum is injected into the knee joint, it specifically counteracts interleukin-1 (IL-1)-mediated cartilage destruction and synovial inflammation—two hallmarks of osteoarthritis progression. Clinical studies of Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS) have reported a 50% reduction in patient-reported pain scores at six months, with efficacy comparable to corticosteroid injections but with a longer duration of effect and a lower risk of systemic side effects.

Advantages Over Joint Replacement Surgery

Unlike knee replacement, which requires general anesthesia, hospitalization, and weeks or months of rehabilitation, regenerative injections are performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. Most patients return to daily activities within 48 to 72 hours. Furthermore, these therapies can be repeated as needed over time to maintain symptom control, making them ideal for active individuals who wish to postpone or entirely avoid surgery.

Meet Dr. Nourparvar: Expertise You Can Trust

Leading our regenerative medicine practice, Dr. Nourparvar brings over a decade of specialized experience in musculoskeletal and non-surgical orthopedics. He holds a Medical Degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his undergraduate studies at UCLA. His extensive training includes fellowships and advanced certifications from UCLA, UC Irvine, Mount Sinai, NYU, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

He is a leader in pain management, musculoskeletal medicine, and non-surgical orthopedic and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR). He is an expert in ultrasound-guided joint and tendon injections. His proficiency includes fat harvesting for stromal vascular fraction, bone marrow aspiration, and the use of umbilical cord-derived stem cells.

He received non-surgical orthopedic and PM&R training at:

• NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation – one of the largest and most prestigious rehabilitation programs in the U.S.
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
• Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Dr. Nourparvar is also a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) for work-related injuries and has advanced training in musculoskeletal and osteopathic evaluations, providing a holistic, hands-on approach to diagnosis—focusing not only on imaging but on clinical presentation to identify the root source of pain. This allows patients to avoid unnecessary surgeries and receive personalized, non-invasive treatments.

Our clinic is equipped with the latest point-of-care ultrasound technology, featuring needle enhancement for optimal visualization, AI-driven imaging tools, “Needle Out Of Plane” presets for challenging injection angles, and Biplane Imaging™ that simultaneously displays longitudinal and transverse views. We also utilize a portable system for flexible, high-resolution imaging at the patient’s bedside.

To make your treatment as comfortable as possible, we offer needle-free numbing systems for added relaxation. In addition, many patients appreciate that we can schedule a same-day consultation and treatment, allowing them to quickly begin their journey toward relief without multiple visits.

Start Your Path to Pain-Free Movement

Knee arthritis can be debilitating, affecting millions of people and often leading them down a path of temporary treatments or invasive surgeries. Fortunately, regenerative therapies such as Stem Cell Therapy, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), and Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS) offer cutting-edge, non-surgical alternatives with promising results. These advanced therapies not only target the root cause of inflammation but also support natural healing and long-term joint function.

At our clinic, Dr. Nourparvar brings over a decade of experience in regenerative medicine, offering personalized treatment plans using the most advanced diagnostic and delivery methods—including image-guided precision injections and the latest ultrasound technology. Whether you’re dealing with early-stage arthritis or chronic pain, our team is here to help.

If you’re seeking relief from knee arthritis and want to explore non-surgical, science-backed options, contact our office today or schedule a consultation. We’re happy to answer your questions, discuss your eligibility, and help you take the first step toward a healthier, pain-free life. Experience innovative, non-surgical care and get back to the activities you love.

📞 Call us today at (310) 361-5480 to book your appointment or click here to schedule a consultation.

*Trademark Disclaimer

Stem Cell & PRP Institute of L.A. and Dr. Nourparvar are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Orthogen AG, Regenokine®, or Orthokine®.

Regenokine® and Orthokine® are registered trademarks of Orthogen AG. Any references to these therapies on our website are for informational purposes only and do not imply any partnership, ownership, or official association with the trademark holders.

Our clinic offers regenerative medicine treatments that may be similar in concept, such as autologous serum or cytokine-based therapies, but we do not claim to offer Regenokine® or Orthokine® specifically.