Knee Arthritis Treatments: Everything You Need to Know

Dr Jeff Peng provides an in depth summary of knee arthritis treatments. Topics include PRP injections, stem cell injections, hyaluronic acid injections, dietary supplements, oral and topical medications, exercise, weight loss, genicular nerve blocks, red light therapy, trigger point injections, knee braces, arthroscopic surgery and partial meniscectomy, and knee replacement surgery.
Download Knee Arthritis Treatment Table:
www.jeffreypengmd.com/_files/...
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
2:38 Exercise Therapy
5:31 Weight & Diet
13:27 Oral & Topical Medications
16:06 Dietary Supplements
22:30 Cortisone injections
26:27 Hyaluronic Acid Injections
30:08 Stem Cell Injections
33:52 Platelet Rich Plasma Injections
39:16 Genicular Nerve Blocks
44:57 Red Light Therapy / Photobiomodulation
47:37 Myofascial Trigger Point Injections
52:43 Knee Braces
59:36 Arthroscopic Surgery
1:01:42 Knee Replacement Surgery
► Things my patients have found helpful:
I get a lot of questions about what equipment is ‘best’ for treating a variety of conditions. The following is not meant to be an exhaustive or definitive list. If you have questions, please discuss with your healthcare provider. I have personally tried a number of the products below, but not all. I have included some based on positive feedback from my patients. As an Amazon Associate, Dr Peng earns from qualifying purchases. If you purchase any product using the below affiliate links, you are helping Dr Peng maintain this channel.
Supplements
The following are Thorne supplements which are NSF certified. NSF certifies that what’s on the label is in the bottle. They also do toxicology review to ensure the product contains no undeclared ingredients or unacceptable levels of contaminants.
Boswellia Extract: amzn.to/3L00rYn
Turmeric & Curcumin: ​​amzn.to/47NacD9
Glucosamine & Chondroitin: amzn.to/44AVoow
Creatine Monohydrate: amzn.to/45JW9wq
Omega 3 and 6: amzn.to/45LTBh7
Vitamin D 5000: amzn.to/47T8MHs
Vitamin B complex: amzn.to/3L0Bdcm
Magnesium Citrate/Malate: amzn.to/3snHuZc
Magnesium Glycinate: amzn.to/45EZVYa
Soft Tissue & Rehab
Theragun: amzn.to/4363zJG
Massage ball: amzn.to/40BUC9f
Foam roller: amzn.to/4324E5c
Stretching strap: amzn.to/3U9a2iQ
TENS unit: amzn.to/3mcCqnI
Heating pad: amzn.to/49AhriE
Heating patch: amzn.to/47fkiMy
Resistance bands: amzn.to/3nFyb4C
Red light therapy: amzn.to/4abQ2U1
Braces & Supports
Hinged knee brace: amzn.to/3U6oyrH
Neoprene knee sleeve: amzn.to/3Zzhsgt
Volar wrist brace: amzn.to/3KawW55
Thumb spica brace: amzn.to/3nHj9vl
Ankle lace up brace: amzn.to/3m6iR0u
Tennis/Golfer’s elbow brace: amzn.to/3ZEGgE1
Superfeet orthotic inserts: amzn.to/436tRf5
Other Resources
Trigger Point Wall Posters: amzn.to/47SjGft
The Trigger Point Manual: amzn.to/4340cTt
► Be Active. Live Healthy. Subscribe for more free videos like this: / @jeffreypengmd
► ABOUT ME
Jeffrey Peng MD is a nonoperative orthopedist and sports medicine specialist. He focuses on maximizing non-surgical treatments for sports injuries and orthopedic conditions. He specializes in using orthobiologics and ultrasound guided minimally invasive techniques to treat osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Dr. Peng is board certified in sports medicine and family medicine. He completed residency with the Stanford family medicine residency program and completed his sports medicine training with the Stanford primary care sports medicine fellowship in San Jose. He is an active faculty member for both programs and is excited about training the next generation of physicians.
Dr. Peng’s sports medicine clinic is located in Campbell, California.
Twitter: @JeffreyPengMD; / jeffreypengmd
Website: www.jeffreypengmd.com/
► Disclaimer
My content reflects my own opinion and does not represent the views or opinions of my employers or hospital systems I am affiliated with. They are meant for educational purposes only. They do not substitute for the medical advice of a physician. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding your health.

[@jrennickemd]

This is a great resource. I can’t imagine how long it took to make it. Thanks for the great information and I’ll definitely be referring people to this video!

[@magda7224]

Impressive knowledge. Thanks for sharing the information with us.❤

[@nimalekanayake7675]

Thank you Dr peng for such clear explanation. Bless you.

[@deanhun352]

I've watched several of your videos, and I think this is the best so far given the breadth and depth of your presentaton. Thanks a lot.

[@kabelophoshoko7856]

Appreciate the effort you put into this

[@carolgarden3214]

Wow thank you for such clear and use information.You are the best and provided me with such comprehensive informative information. Thank you ❤️

[@JustSoNso]

Excellent and thorough video. Good advice - especially first establishing a healthy diet, strength exercises, and weight loss before resorting to knee replacement surgery.

[@wadewishneski3075]

Appreciate the very objective description of the various options for treatment as well as the overall interaction of other influences on inflammation. This all will help my approach moving forward as I have been dealing with knee issues for 25 years and have had many of the treatments you mentioned in the video. I'm really trying to avoid a TKR.

[@joedaw3003]

Thank you so much for your hard work.

[@luciaivalnovich5463]

Hats off to you, wonderful young doctor! Young, wise and superr-knowledgeable!❤ 🙏

[@crabbygrrl]

Thank you so much for this very informative video. I have arthritis in my knees as well as in many other places in my body. I'm finally seeing an orthopedist and the information you provided is really useful for me to bring into my discussions with the doctor. Thank you so much!

[@guadaluperodriguez7898]

Thank you for this valuable information.

[@lindalamb7512]

Very informative and detailed!

[@jeepers45roll5]

Excellent info. Well done doc. Thank you.

[@simplyyourlolagigi5059]

Thank you so very much Doc. I have osteoarthritis on my right knee and so scared the operation procedure.. I’ll go for a diet changes..Thank you Doc..

[@anna_m59]

dr. Peng, I just want to say a big thank you for all these info! As a scrub I was able to discuss this topic with Orto surgeons and where not aware for some of these info.. I actually suffer with knee problems after two ACL repair and soon as I over do (10-12K steps) it’s flare up.. My experience icing , turmeric paste ( self made) and tumaric supplement along with red light therapy and cabbage wrap is very helpful. I do specific exercises to strengthen gluten and other muscles and after that either ice or cabbage wrap is the most helpful. I do believe the PRP treatment a good option. I had for lower back pain and worked very well . Thank you again for your hard work !

[@clockdoc36]

How about knee decompression I have had acl mcl and meniscus tear 45 years ago. Was able to walk a couple of miles for years. Suddenly about a year and a half ago I developed a lot of pain and could only get around with a cane. Took physical therapy for 6 weeks. Definitely helped the strength in the muscles but was still needing a cane.Than after about the same period of time as we speak to today I've been doing leg swings using 10 lbs ankle weights.rsults have been I've been able to walk with out a cane and considerable reduced pain. Have not been able to get back to long walks but I'm able to ride exercise bike for 30 minutes under light loads

[@richardfile4001]

Thank you so much for this extensive study. Comprehensive. For me the long format was ok, because I watched it over 2 sessions.

[@JeffreyPengMD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@juliewood823]

This was the BEST!!!!! I mean the BEST video soooo informative THANK YOU Dr. Jeffrey Peng 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 you are AWESOME 🤩 I have shared your video with friends and family. 🙏🏽💙🙏🏽💙

[@nympharegala7964]

How to take ibuprofen 3x a day ba?

[@BrettG07]

Thnx for this Podcast, very Interesting. I don’t seem to be able to locate a link to your ‘Table’ mentioned throughout this podcast. Would you be willing to provide a link to the table please.

[@Avocadomushroom]

I had arthroscopic surgery last year 💔 wish I would have seen this video before 😩

[@deanhun352]

Excellent discussion. Here's a topic request: cutting edge future therapies and who is doing this kind of r + d.

[@magpie1492]

Thank you for such comprehensive explanations and the downloadable material. I am a 59 year old with practically no cartilage left in both knees and a torn meniscus in one knee. I have severe pain most days, exercise does help but I have to gauge how much is too much. Working has become a nightmare, as obviously being on my legs for long shifts, with little chance of sitting, is pretty much hell and wipes me out for the next day. I really can't see me working up to my retirement age. I am currently receiving steroid injections and strong analgesia, so having every treatment evaluated is invaluable.

[@Avocadomushroom]

Try changing your diet 🙃

[@magpie1492]

That will really help the fact that I have no cartilage, a torn meniscus and am now bone on bone. They are physical changes that can not be corrected by diet. 🙄

[@kabelophoshoko7856]

​@@magpie1492not true. Look up collagen and cartilage supporting foods. You'll be surprised. Just KZbin your specific issue.

[@Jeff-bl1rz]

@@magpie1492Anti-inflammatory foods and losing weight does help …

[@olsharezee45]

Hello Dr Peng Can you recommend me the right direction to take in UK thanks ,

[@srilakshmiachanta6392]

Amazing doc .

[@kmgreenrph]

Good information

[@JeffreyPengMD]

Thanks!

[@lisafiel8457]

Excellent the way you explain everything Lord bless you!!

[@cadlac1533]

Good information ❤❤

[@rythmoflife6130]

Please talk about Rheumarthritis..

[@kathyjenkins4067]

What do you think of the herb Cissus?

[@terranceowens7726]

A regenerative orthopedic clinic suggest genicular nerve ablation. They also suggests that platelets/plasma from people 60 plus years old maybe nearly devoid of essential healing factors and if I understood it correctly bone marrow aspirate was better. Dr peng - any comments about how age affects the outcomes of any of these treatments

[@ChevySS1968]

Very nice! Is the table available for download?? Thanks for this info!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JeffreyPengMD]

Yes, it's added to the comments

[@noelcomrie9819]

I'm a former long/triple jumper who suffers from OA. Thankfully, i'm able to train like an athlete despite occasional (at times frequent) inflammation. I have optimal knee flexion (squat below parallel), but no knee pain 🙏🏿. I'm 46, 6' 1", 183 lbs, 7% body fat.

[@sarayamaguishitomita8733]

"Is the recovery period after PRP injection linear, or can it have ups and downs? I received the PRP injection three weeks ago, and now I am experiencing pain near the patella in both of my knees, including the one that was not previously experiencing pain."

[@Deb0752]

I'm from New York. Any good doctor or hospital you can recommend me to go visit? I'm 74n meniscuis tore seriously. One doctor not explained anything but just suggest me to get PRP injections. The other doctor told me that as long as insurance company not cover. He doesn't believe n he even suggest me to change completely replacrment instead of half. I only had inner meniscuis torn. That made me so scared. At the moment. I'm doing rehab exercises. Thanks Gad. After 45days The inflammation and swelling finally had gone. Now I can bend my knee.

[@maryjeffries5255]

Dr Peng you are my go to information for osteoarthritis knees. Your thorough examination of treatments are gold!!Surgeon says I need total replacements. However I am still doing everything possible to avoid it. Had a combination of hydrochloric acid and prp injection but was not administered with ultrasound guidance. It has made a difference but not significant. Love walking but struggling. Reverting to cycling. Will continue to explore. Thanks to you !!

[@JeffreyPengMD]

Thanks for commenting, glad you’re finding the info useful. Good luck!!

[@msifu81h43]

Hows the cycling. going for your knee

[@Armurp01]

I just had my second round of PRP.....currently cant cycle.

[@maryjeffries5255]

@@msifu81h43 cycling is improving condition. Low impact , stimulation but limit to 1-2 hours

[@dansmith9724]

What about peptides like tb500 and bpc157??

[@rubynaveed8433]

Weight loss and yoga exercises helped me a lot

[@carolgarden3214]

You said use boswellia at 100 mg -250 mg yet this link is for 350 mg is that what I should take?What is side effect of higher dose?

[@loanasusilo2039]

Where can I get PRP in Toronto? How cost is it?

[@FordF-ny3yc]

On August 7 I supposed to have a surgery on my right knee , I don’t have cartilage at all in my knee , I am in severe pain walking using a walker , I am 72 years young I was very active until this happened , I am scared to death , I hear a lot of good and bad news , I don’t know what to do ? I live in Peoria Arizona any suggestion ? thanks 🙏🏻

[@zgdafzgdaf4264]

What about BP-157 peptides?

[@leosoares2156]

Does Glucosamine- Chondroitine trigger blood sugar .As I am taking Osteo joint ease and found my blood sugar spike

[@Doktracy]

Yes. I did a paper on it as a medical resident. It certainly can.

[@chenwaiyuen7042]

i have exosome injections in few week ago.Kindly advice on exosome

[@DoomSet.]

PLEASE DO A VID on HERNIATED DISKS!!!!! LOVE YOU!! L5s1 specifically

[@JeffreyPengMD]

Will add that to the list!

[@DoomSet.]

​@JeffreyPengMD thank you! I have herniated l5s1 with left impingement and athropathy on both sides. only symptoms is extreme numbness and weakness. no pain. have no idea how to fix. I've been diagnosed

[@toolman.dustin]

Question: concerning the supplements. Many of these supplements are relatively expensive and not covered by insurance plans. What is a reasonable timeframe to expect to see a supplement to have a registerable impact?

[@sherryanderson1770]

For what I saw on someone else's video he said give each supplement 2 months and you should know if it's helping. I would suggest to try one at a time though so you know which one is working in case one isn't as well.

[@AffectionateFlowers-op3zp]

If I don't eat plant base food ,what am I going to eat?

[@tsajer8122]

So many places offer PRP injections, but their procedures vary widely. Some offer one injection, and some offer three. But what about the dosage or number of platelets in the injection? Is there data showing the effectiveness of various doses? How do we know what we're getting?

[@JeffreyPengMD]

Ah, you are correct. Too many providers make the same 3 mistakes that affect PRP outcomes. Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGbbaWuumrKbmpo

[@ofroaddude5859]

@@JeffreyPengMD Doc, what do you think of exogenous stem or cellular injections?

[@blessall8856]

Agree that PRP varies widely.

[@lenny108]

It is important that you smoke your apartment with real incense two times a year. This avoids all these diseases like rheumatism, sciatica, joint pain, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's. The highest quality of Boswellia sacra comes from Oman.

[@paulenemaehinds9848]

@@lenny108I think this is a myth.

[@srilakshmiachanta6392]

Awareness gives us options instead of fallowing doc who has no time to say zbt side effects thznq doc

[@bendungee1669]

2:21 Add a 6th category: Cure. That should always be on a doctors mind not just treatments. I recall a doctor telling me many years ago, that I had arthritis. What? I said, I am too young to have arthritis. His response was you can have it at any age. What caused it?, I asked. We don’t know. Well, it’s the food that we eat and it’s not genetics. I reversed it and I was pain free. Notice family members from all ages having the same problem, then there’s that one family member that decides to do something different and they no longer have the family problem. Observational science is an amazing way to find a quick answer under certain circumstances, but it’s a critical thinking skill that modern day doctors lack or don’t understand. It’s not taught anymore.

[@cypriano8763]

gold, this is some real evidence based advice.

[@JeffreyPengMD]

Thanks!

[@tazrugby]

PRP definitely helped my torn meniscus

[@antonionesci8356]

How many injections did it take bro?

[@tazrugby]

Two.

[@Deb0752]

How old are you? How bad is your meniscuis torn? How many point they give you shot? How n Where you found reliable doctor? I had same problem now. Age 74. Doctor not explained my MRI just said very complicated n told me PRP injection.

[@antonionesci8356]

Two only? Nice! I had about 5 and my tears are still there, maybe because of my job demanding me to stand all day long

[@tazrugby]

​@Deb0752 age 65. I also exercise / strength train. I watched youtube videos by El Paso Physical Therapy.

[@bobcocampo]

Best is zero carbohydrates carnivore diet and leg exercises

[@ngana8755]

23:10 min mark: cortisone injections have been found to weaken and damage healthy cartilage.

[@lyngaspar8545]

❤❤❤

[@peggyferder8834]

Even if you have bone on bone

[@JeffreyPengMD]

Yes. Granted, most treatments will not work as well as for severe bone on bone as those with mild to moderate arthritis. But check out the patient testimonial I talk about at the end. She has bone on bone and is thriving.

[@Coco762011]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@charlieanstey9998]

What causes metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes is the low fat high carbohydrate diet that the medical professionals told us to eat for the last 45 years.

[@EducatedBlackMan]

Great info. I am treating with gel injections, cold-laser therapy, shockwave therapy and PT along with collagen supplements to prevent getting a knee replacement. You should advise that any injection be done with ultrasound imaging so the medicine gets in the knee joint.

[@lisafiel8457]

He did

[@evapavlou5296]

Ty , but can this all be put in a shorter point form , instead of over an hour of info that is already on mainstream pd 😊 Many thanks 🤗

[@toolman.dustin]

This is the short form. I've spent probably 100 times this 1 hour trying to find this information. If you can't spend 1.25 hours getting educated, then go ahead and get the surgery, knowing there's a 1 in 4 chance you won't be happy with the outcome. I've spent 9 years hunting for these alternatives to surgery and this is the first time I've heard several of these. Surgeons make way too much with a surgery to recommend alternatives. Pharmaceuticals make way too much to recommend alternatives. I've had my knee replaced twice now and I've regained 100% flexibility each time. Still a poor outcome.

[@lisafiel8457]

Love it just the way it is

[@talkaboutit9200]

Glutes. Glutes. Glutes.. Workout ur Glutes... that is the key to OA in the knees.. thank you...

[@NOT-WOKE-007]

Here is what worked for me. 1. Lose weight. 2. Two tablespoons of ACV daily. 3. cod liver oil 4. Daily intake of glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM & Turmeric. 5. Vitamin B3 6. Walk daily for 30 minutes.

[@sherryanderson1770]

Do you have bone on bone?

[@NOT-WOKE-007]

@@sherryanderson1770 I have bone spurs.

[@NOT-WOKE-007]

@@sherryanderson1770 Also, I purchased the Brooks Glycerin GTS shoe. Makes a huge difference. I am walking pain free where three months ago, I was using a walker in my home just to cook meals and do the dishes!

[@Hem1495]

Can you please tell how you lost weight?

[@NOT-WOKE-007]

@@Hem1495 Fasting for 20 hours every day. My eating window is 4 hours but my meal is usually only an hour.

[@SCsweettea]

I get shots. I will continue. I have been keeping ahead of knee replacement. The shots keep me going. Meds keep changing their minds on what works. Gel shots do nothing for me. I am bone on bone. I have a torn meniscus. Let’s face it how much can these shots hurt me. As long as they work, I will continue on. Surgery is my last resort.

[@karahamil3657]

What kind of injections ?

[@SCsweettea]

@@karahamil3657 knee injections. Every three months. Going tomorrow. We go to sports medicine Dr.

[@angeladibble]

Shots of what, vodka?!

[@ws7001]

Just do a carnivore diet, exercise, intermittent fasting and avoid plant based foods

[@lizhall2961]

Carnivore diet has not been studied for a long time and is high in saturated fats. A lot more studies show the benefits of whole, healthful, plant food diets. See this link. No benefits from high sugar, refined plant foods. Soluble fiber in plant foods is anti-inflammatory. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4359818/#:~:text=Conclusion.,functional%20status%20among%20osteoarthritis%20patients.

[@CommonSenses101]

Why avoid plant based food?

[@tuttuttuttut5061]

Avoid plant ????

[@NOT-WOKE-007]

Not necessary to avoid plants.

[@LetsGoBrandon4U2]

Autophagy is the new stemcell treatment, with epigenetics and fasting and nutrition