Knee Pain Doctor: Non-Surgical Care for Aching Knees
Pain Management
Knee pain can shrink your world. Stairs become a chore. Walks get shorter. You may skip the beach, the golf course or playing on the floor with your grandkids. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
GSMC is led by Dr. Dharam Mann, who completed fellowships in pain management, cardiac anesthesia and critical care at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard.
At Garden State Medical Center, our team offers non-surgical joint procedures, including PRP. Our goal is to help you move more comfortably, and for some people, to help delay or avoid a bigger step.
Common causes of knee pain
- Osteoarthritis. Wear of the cartilage that cushions the knee. It's a very common cause of knee pain as we age. Learn more about knee arthritis.
- Overuse and tendon problems. Running, jumping or kneeling at work can irritate the tendons around the knee.
- Old injuries. A past sports injury or meniscus tear can lead to arthritis years later.
- Pain after knee replacement. Some people still have pain after surgery. Nerve-based treatments may help.
Non-surgical knee treatments we offer
Most people start with exercise, physical therapy, weight management and medicines. When those aren't enough, options may include:
- Joint injections. Steroid injections can calm a flare of knee pain.
- Viscosupplementation. Gel injections that may help some people with knee arthritis.
- PRP therapy. Uses a concentrate from your own blood. It may help some people with mild to moderate knee arthritis or tendon problems.
- Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation. Quiets the small nerves that carry pain from the knee. A test block usually comes first.
- Genicular artery embolization. Reduces blood flow to inflamed tissue lining the knee, which may ease pain from arthritis.
- Peripheral nerve stimulation for knee pain. A small device that may help long-lasting knee pain, including some pain after knee replacement.
Shoulder or hip pain too? GSMC also offers shoulder and hip embolization, along with PRP and injections for those joints.
Setting honest expectations
These treatments don't regrow cartilage or turn back the clock. Some people get months of relief. Others get some relief or none. Relief from injections can wear off, and some treatments may need repeating. We'll explain the risks, the likely benefit and what's realistic for your knee.
GSMC does not perform knee replacement or other open joint surgery. If a surgical opinion makes sense for you, we'll tell you and help with a referral.
GSMC participates with all Aetna plans, including Aetna HMO. For other plans, our staff will check your benefits. Some joint treatments may not be covered by insurance, and we'll talk about cost before you decide.
Knee pain care at our offices
All offices are open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Some procedures are scheduled at a different GSMC office.
Toms River (Hooper Ave)
1314 Hooper Ave, 1st Floor, Toms River, NJ 08753. Toms River has pain management, sports medicine and rheumatology in one building. That helps when knee pain could be arthritis, a sports injury or an inflammatory condition. Visit the Toms River office page.
Manahawkin
1109 Beacon Ave, Manahawkin, NJ 08050. Walking the sand on Long Beach Island is tough on sore knees. Many Manahawkin patients want to get back to the beach and the boat. Visit the Manahawkin office page.
Whiting
1100 NJ-70, Entrance B, Whiting, NJ 08759. For many Whiting patients, knee arthritis gets in the way of walking, dancing or pickleball at the clubhouse. We set goals around the activities you enjoy. Visit the Whiting office page.
Freehold
322 Professional View Dr, 300 Building, 2nd Floor, Freehold, NJ 07728. Freehold patients often come with knee arthritis that makes stairs, kneeling or coaching the kids' team harder. Visit the Freehold office page.
West Long Branch
100 NJ-36, Suite 1K, West Long Branch, NJ 07764. Runners on the boardwalk and athletes with knee injuries visit us here, along with people with long-standing knee arthritis. Visit the West Long Branch office page.
Brick
1608 NJ-88, Suite 102, Brick Township, NJ 08724. The GSMC team covers our Brick office. With rheumatology in the same office, it's a good choice when a swollen knee may be from gout or inflammatory arthritis. Visit the Brick office page.
Barnegat
249 S Main St, Suite 5, Barnegat Township, NJ 08005. The GSMC team covers our Barnegat office. Knee pain from years of kneeling and lifting at work is a common reason for a visit. Visit the Barnegat office page.
Book a visit
Ready to get your knees moving again? Request a visit online at the GSMC office closest to you. We'll look at your knee, talk about your goals and make a plan together.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of doctor treats knee pain without surgery?
A pain management specialist or sports medicine doctor can treat knee pain without surgery. Options include injections, PRP, nerve ablation and embolization.
Is PRP good for knee arthritis?
PRP may help some people with mild to moderate knee arthritis. It doesn't work for everyone, and it isn't covered by every insurance plan. We'll talk about whether it fits you.
What is genicular artery embolization?
It's a minimally invasive procedure that reduces blood flow to inflamed tissue in the knee lining. It may ease arthritis pain for some people who haven't done well with other care.
How long does genicular nerve ablation last?
Relief varies. Some people have relief for months. The nerves can grow back, so pain may return, and the procedure can sometimes be repeated.
Can these treatments help after knee replacement?
Some can. Genicular nerve ablation and peripheral nerve stimulation may help some people who still have pain after knee replacement. We'll review your history first.