Joint Pain, Arthritis, "Bone-on-Bone": What Are Your Options?
If you’ve been researching the answers to these questions:
"What helps bone-on-bone knee pain?"
"Alternatives to joint replacement"
"Best treatments for arthritis"
"Can stem cells help with joint pain?"
…you’re not alone. Millions struggle with joint pain every day — whether from osteoarthritis, cartilage loss, or chronic inflammation. And if your doctor has mentioned the dreaded phrase “bone on bone”, it can feel like surgery is your only option.
But is it?
Let’s break down the most common treatment options — from basic to breakthrough.
1. Pain Medications & Cortisone Shots
✔️ How it works: Over-the-counter NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) and prescription meds reduce inflammation and dull the pain. Cortisone injections offer short-term relief by calming inflammation directly in the joint.
❌ The catch: These are temporary fixes. Over time, medications can harm your liver, kidneys, or stomach, and repeated cortisone injections can actually damage the joint more.
2. Physical Therapy & Lifestyle Changes
✔️ How it works: Strengthening the muscles around your joint can improve mobility and reduce stress on the joint. Weight loss also helps decrease joint pressure.
❌ The catch: It’s helpful — but not always enough, especially if the joint damage is severe. Physical therapy won’t regrow lost cartilage.
3. Surgery & Joint Replacement
✔️ How it works: For severe arthritis or “bone-on-bone” joints, orthopedic surgeons may recommend joint replacement (hip, knee, shoulder).
❌ The catch: Surgery is invasive, expensive, and comes with months of recovery time. There’s also a risk of complications, limited lifespan of the artificial joint, and some patients never feel “normal” again.
4. Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Therapy
✔️ How it works: Using your body’s own healing cells (often from bone marrow, adipose tissue, or umbilical sources), stem cell therapy or PRP (platelet-rich plasma) can stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and even promote cartilage regeneration.
❌ The catch: It’s not typically covered by insurance — but it’s non-surgical, natural, and patients often return to normal activities faster with long-term relief.
So… Why Choose Regenerative Medicine?
While traditional treatments focus on masking symptoms, regenerative medicine targets the root cause — your body’s inability to heal itself due to chronic inflammation or tissue degeneration.
Think of it this way:
Medications = Temporary relief
Surgery = Replacement
Regenerative medicine = Real healing
Patients who choose stem cell or PRP therapy often report:
Reduced pain within weeks
Improved joint function
Avoiding surgery altogether
A better quality of life — naturally
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re tired of being told to "just deal with it" or "come back when it’s time for surgery," it might be time to explore regenerative medicine.
Your body was designed to heal. Let’s help it do what it was meant to do.
