Knee Osteoarthritis: Non-Surgical Treatment Options in Palm Beach
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common orthopedic conditions affecting active adults. Also known as degenerative joint disease, it occurs when the protective cartilage cushioning the bones of the knee gradually wears down, causing pain, stiffness, and difficulty with everyday activities.
Treatments for knee OA have traditionally included physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, and in advanced cases, surgery. Many of these conventional approaches, however, only manage symptoms temporarily and may carry their own side effects with prolonged use.
At Palm Beach Regenerative, Dr. Ghattas offers image-guided interventional orthobiologics as a non-surgical option for appropriately selected knee OA patients. Contact us today to learn more.
What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis is the gradual breakdown of articular cartilage, the smooth tissue covering the ends of the bones in the knee joint. As cartilage thins, bones are more susceptible to friction, swelling, and the formation of bone spurs, which can alter the shape and mechanics of the knee.
Research has identified that much of the pain in knee OA is driven not just by cartilage loss, but by inflammation in the bone itself. Specifically, this is a condition called bone marrow edema (BME), or bone marrow lesions (BML). This is an important distinction because it helps explain why treatments targeting inflammation may help manage symptoms even in the absence of cartilage restoration.
Signs and Symptoms
- Gradually worsening pain during or after activity
- Morning stiffness or stiffness after periods of rest
- Swelling around the knee joint
- Crackling or grinding sensations (crepitus)
- Reduced range of motion
- Instability or buckling of the knee
- Difficulty with stairs, kneeling, or prolonged walking
Common Causes and Risk Factors
- Age-related wear and tear on cartilage
- Excess body weight placing additional stress on the knee
- Prior knee injuries or surgeries
- Repetitive stress from occupation or sport
- Hereditary predisposition
- Muscle weakness or imbalance affecting joint mechanics
How It Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of physical examination, patient history, and imaging. Dr. Ghattas will assess your range of motion, stability, and pain patterns during your evaluation.
X-rays can reveal changes in joint space and the presence of bone spurs. MRI provides a more detailed view of cartilage, bone marrow, ligaments, and soft tissue, giving Dr. Ghattas important information about the severity of your condition and whether you are a candidate for orthobiologic treatment.
Conventional Treatment Options
Standard care for knee OA typically includes:
- Physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles and improve joint mechanics
- Weight management to reduce joint load
- NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory medications) for short-term pain relief, though prolonged use carries gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks
- Hyaluronic acid injections for joint lubrication
- Steroid injections for temporary inflammation control. Research suggests repeated steroid injections may accelerate cartilage damage over time
- Surgical options including arthroscopy, partial knee replacement, or total knee replacement, typically reserved for advanced-stage disease
The Palm Beach Regenerative Approach
For appropriately selected candidates, Dr. Ghattas offers image-guided interventional orthobiologics designed to address the underlying inflammatory processes contributing to knee OA symptoms.
Using real-time ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance, Dr. Ghattas precisely delivers concentrated preparations of your own cells and platelets, including Regenexx Super Concentrated Platelet (SCP) or Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC), to the affected area within the knee joint.
For patients with significant bone marrow involvement, Intraosseous (IO) injection may also be incorporated, targeting the subchondral bone layer where inflammation is often a primary pain driver.
These treatments work by supporting your body’s natural healing response, reducing inflammation, and improving the biological environment within the joint.
Important: These treatments do not regenerate or regrow knee cartilage. They are designed to manage inflammation and symptoms, with the goal of improving function and quality of life. For patients with severe bone-on-bone arthritis, joint replacement surgery may provide more complete relief. Dr. Ghattas will provide an honest assessment of all your options.
Based on Regenexx registry data, many knee OA patients report meaningful improvement in pain and function following treatment. Results vary based on the stage of arthritis, overall health, and individual response.
The BioMod Advantage: At Palm Beach Regenerative, treatment does not end with a single injection. Through our BioMod Lab, Dr. Ghattas may combine your orthobiologic procedure with MLS Robotic Laser Therapy to reduce inflammation and support tissue recovery, alongside customized Xymogen supplement protocols designed to optimize your body’s healing environment. This integrated, concierge approach is what sets Palm Beach Regenerative apart from a standard injection clinic.
Like all medical procedures, interventional orthobiologics have potential risks and benefits. Results vary by individual. Not all patients are candidates. Dr. Ghattas will discuss your specific situation, realistic expectations, and all treatment options, including when surgery or other interventions may be more appropriate.
Important: These treatments do not regenerate cartilage. For patients with severe bone-on-bone knee arthritis, joint replacement surgery may be the more appropriate option. Dr. Ghattas will provide an honest candidacy assessment.
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●PATIENT OUTCOMES
Real Patients. Real Results.
No medical procedure can guarantee an outcome. What you should expect is an honest discussion of the evidence, a careful assessment of candidacy, and a recommendation based on your condition.
"Honestly one of the best experiences, I’ve had a really stiff neck for a couple weeks I tried seeing a chiropractor for and it helped marginally but the real jump in relief was coming to see Dr. Ghattas! He has been incredible, wonderful staff, and minimally invasive technique for my pain relief which was super important to me! Thank you Dr. Ghattas recommending to anyone with pain!"Monica A
"Ghattas was instrumental in helping my torn rotator cuff. I did Barbotage for the stone, and then PRP. Great experience. Been about a month or 2 since and I feel great."Ahmet B
"I had severe knee pain and was looking for proper knee pain treatment, which is how I found Dr. Ghattas on Instagram. I was a bit hesitant at first, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for my health. Francia was amazing at coordinating all my consultations and making the whole process easy and stress-free. If you’re dealing with knee pain and looking for a reliable doctor and team, I highly recommend them."Roger L
"Over a year ago, both my daughter and I underwent PRP treatment with Dr. Ghattas—PRP for my left knee and PRP for my daughter’s L4-L5 and sacral region. We wanted to wait long enough to truly evaluate the results before sharing our experience. I am pleased to say that the outcomes have been outstanding. My daughter’s improvement has been remarkable, and the treatment has made a significant difference in her quality of life. I have also experienced excellent results with my knee. Dr. Ghattas is an exceptional physician who combines expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for his patients. We are incredibly grateful for the treatment we received and the positive impact it has had on our lives. Thank you, Dr. Ghattas. We are truly grateful for everything you have done. You are simply the best."Dr Jorge A
"Dr. Ghattas is very knowledgable and a sympathetic doctor. Hard to find in America. All questions answered, my procedure went very smoothly, very little pain. Follow up is excellent, I highly recommend his practice."Luciana D
“ I had severe knee pain and was looking for proper knee pain treatment, which is how I found Dr. Ghattas on Instagram. I was a bit hesitant at first, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for my health. Francia was amazing at coordinating all my consultations and making the whole process easy and stress-free. If you’re dealing with knee pain and looking for a reliable doctor and team, I highly recommend them. ”Roger L
“Dr. Ghattas was terrific today. He spent a good amount of time examining me and explaining the regenerative process which I intend to have done next month. More to come after the procedure.”Louie R
“I found Dr Ghattas and his staff very welcoming and informative. The process was well explained and gave me encouragement about the potential for fully restoring my knee joint integrity.”Eric C
“I received two treatments from Dr. Ghattas With excellent results, he takes great care in his assessment and in his treatment you couldn’t be in better hands. I highly recommend his work.”Gisela S
“Apart from the exemplary personal service by the reception and the staff that makes us feel we're at home at the clinic, I have experienced remarkable healing in several episodes from shoulder issue to knee injuries and hip pain. The doctor is so thorough in the diagnosis phase that he administered exactly what was needed, no more no less! Thank you folks for a wonderful experience.”RG G
“Went to Dr. Ghattas for chronic knee and neck issue. I’ve already had multiple procedures done on my neck and multiple epidurals with minimal success. My knee I was told needed surgery to fix. I already had surgery in the past with minimal difference. I ended up getting stem cells in my knee and neck and could t be happier with the outcome. Anyone considering surgery I recommend checking out Regenex first. Next I’m doing the ganglion block and look forward to the results.”Logan H
“Dr. James Ghattas and his team are truly top-notch. His office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a staff that's exceptional in their fields. I've referred several clients to him, and they've all been incredibly satisfied. Dr. Ghattas is absolutely ahead of the curve, and I wholeheartedly endorse his work.”Ron H
“I am quite active and go to pilates 3-4 times per week. I was having left knee pain and which was treated with PRP. It took about 3 months for me to feel better but then the pain completely subsided. I now am able to exercise without the fear that I will tear a ligament and am pain free.”Ellipsis P
“Transparency, thoroughness, attention to detail, immediate, high quality, follow ups and follow through are just a few words that come to mind throughout my experiences with Palm Beach Regenerative Sport and Spine.”Milton L
