
Knee Pain
Get back to the activities you love. Non-surgical, evidence-based treatment for knee pain, built around your body and your goals.
Request ConsultationRichmond, VA · Veteran-owned · 4.9★ Google
Understanding Knee Pain
Knee pain is the most common joint complaint in adults over 40. It is also one of the most treatable.
Your knees carry your weight, absorb your impact, and power every step you take. Over time, decades of movement add up. Cartilage wears down. Tendons weaken. Inflammation builds. The result is pain that changes how you move, what you do, and what you feel comfortable doing.
Knee pain is not a life sentence. It is a signal. Your body is telling you something needs attention. The question is not whether to address it but how.
Most knee pain is not a candidate for surgery. It is a candidate for targeted, evidence-based treatment that addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms. That is what we do. Knee osteoarthritis alone affects an estimated 14 million Americans, and knee pain is the second most common form of chronic pain in adults over 40.
At Joint Freedom, we treat knee pain across the full spectrum — from early-stage joint wear to advanced osteoarthritis, from acute sports injuries to chronic overuse conditions. Every patient gets a personalized plan built around their specific knee, their activity level, and their goals.
Who Gets Knee Pain?
Knee pain affects people of all ages, but certain factors increase your risk. Understanding these factors helps us identify the root cause of your pain and build a more effective treatment plan. Some risk factors are within your control. Others are not. What matters is understanding your specific combination of factors so we can address them directly.
Common Risk Factors
- Age (cartilage naturally wears over time)
- Excess weight (each extra pound adds four pounds of load per step)
- Previous knee injuries or surgery
- Repetitive high-impact activity (running, jumping, heavy lifting)
- Sedentary lifestyle (weak supporting muscles)
- Genetics and family history
- Certain occupations (construction, nursing, athletics)
- Underlying conditions (arthritis, diabetes, gout)
MOST COMMON IN
Adults 40+
But affects all ages
Symptoms & When to Seek Treatment
Not all knee pain is the same. Here is how to know when it is time to get help.
Common Symptoms
- Sharp, aching, or throbbing pain
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting
- Swelling around the joint
- Clicking, grinding, or popping sounds
- Weakness or instability when bearing weight
- Reduced range of motion
- Difficulty climbing stairs or squatting
See a Specialist If...
- Pain has lasted more than two weeks
- Pain interferes with daily activity
- Swelling does not improve with rest
- You cannot bear weight on the affected leg
- You hear a pop followed by immediate pain
- You have recurring instability or “giving out”
- Over-the-counter medication is not working
If you are unsure, schedule a free consultation. We will tell you honestly whether treatment is right for you.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Understanding what is causing your knee pain is the first step toward fixing it.
MOST COMMON
Osteoarthritis
The gradual breakdown of cartilage that cushions your knee joint. Causes pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Most common in adults over 50 and often progressive without treatment.
ACUTE INJURY
Meniscus Tears
Tears in the cartilage that stabilizes your knee. Can happen from sudden twisting, heavy lifting, or degeneration over time. Often presents as catching, locking, or sharp pain.
OVERUSE
Patellar Tendonitis
Inflammation of the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shinbone. Common in runners, jumpers, and athletes. Often called “jumper’s knee.”
INSTABILITY
ACL / MCL Injuries
Damage to the ligaments that stabilize your knee. Common in sports and falls. Can range from sprains to complete tears, with varying treatment approaches.
INFLAMMATION
Bursitis
Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion your knee joint. Often caused by repetitive kneeling, overuse, or prolonged pressure on the knee.
OVERUSE
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Pain around or behind the kneecap, often worsened by activity. Common in runners, cyclists, and active adults. Frequently related to alignment, tracking, or muscle imbalance.
How We Diagnose Your Knee Pain
Finding the right treatment starts with understanding what is actually causing your pain.
Clinical Evaluation
We start with a thorough history and physical examination. Where does it hurt, when did it start, what makes it better or worse. Your story tells us more than any test.
Movement & Function Assessment
We assess your gait, range of motion, strength, and joint stability. We look at how your knee is actually working — not just how it feels.
In-House Fluoroscopy
We perform in-house fluoroscopy at the first visit and review the findings with you. We also review any imaging you have had done outside our office.
Clinical Evaluation
We start with a thorough history and physical examination. Where does it hurt, when did it start, what makes it better or worse. Your story tells us more than any test.
Movement & Function Assessment
We assess your gait, range of motion, strength, and joint stability. We look at how your knee is actually working — not just how it feels.
In-House Fluoroscopy
We perform in-house fluoroscopy at the first visit and review the findings with you. We also review any imaging you have had done outside our office.
What You Can Do at Home
Before your first visit, or while waiting for your consultation, these steps can help manage your pain and prevent it from getting worse.
What Helps
- Gentle movement and walking to maintain mobility
- Ice for acute pain and swelling (15–20 minutes at a time)
- Elevation when resting to reduce swelling
- Supportive footwear with good cushioning
- Strengthening exercises for hips, quads, and glutes
- Stretching for hamstrings, calves, and hip flexors
- Weight management to reduce joint load
What to Avoid
- Prolonged sitting or inactivity
- High-impact activities if they worsen pain
- Heavy lifting or deep squatting through pain
- Wearing unsupportive shoes for extended periods
- Ignoring pain that worsens or persists
- Relying solely on anti-inflammatory medications
- Returning to full activity before fully healed
These steps help, but they are not a substitute for professional evaluation. If pain persists beyond two weeks, it is time to get help.
How We Treat Knee Pain
Four evidence-based options. Often combined. Always personalized.
REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
PRP Therapy
Uses your body’s own growth factors to regenerate damaged cartilage and tissue. The gold standard for knee osteoarthritis and chronic soft-tissue injuries.

JOINT LUBRICATION
HA Injections
Hyaluronic acid restores the natural cushioning in your knee joint. Ideal for osteoarthritis and chronic wear. Results that can last months.

LIGHTFORCE XLi
Laser Therapy
Non-invasive deep tissue laser therapy that reduces inflammation and accelerates healing. Ten-minute sessions. Often the entry point to a broader plan.

METABOLIC HEALTH
Weight Loss Support
Every pound lost reduces the load on your knees by roughly four pounds per step. Medically supervised weight loss can be a powerful complement to direct knee treatment.

Which Treatment Is Right for Your Knee Pain?
Different causes call for different approaches. Here is how we typically build a plan.
01
EARLY-STAGE KNEE PAIN
Start with Laser Therapy
For early joint wear, overuse injuries, and acute inflammation, we typically start with laser therapy. It is non-invasive, requires no recovery, and often delivers meaningful relief within a few sessions. If laser alone resolves your pain, that is where we stop.
02
MODERATE TO ADVANCED
Add PRP or HA
For moderate osteoarthritis, tendon damage, or cases where laser alone does not deliver full results, we layer in regenerative therapies. PRP for tissue regeneration. HA for joint cushioning. Often both, depending on your specific knee.
03
FULL TREATMENT PLAN
Multi-Modal Approach
For chronic or advanced cases, we often combine all three. Laser to reduce inflammation, PRP to regenerate tissue, HA to restore cushioning. For patients carrying extra weight, we add medically supervised weight loss to reduce joint load and improve long-term outcomes.
Your plan is built around your specific knee. We will walk you through exactly why we recommend what we recommend.
How Joint Freedom Compares
What you are really weighing when you consider your options for knee pain.
Cortisone Injections | Knee Surgery | Pain Medication | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Regenerates tissue, reduces inflammation | Masks inflammation | Repairs or replaces joint | Masks pain |
| Recovery time | None to minimal | 1–2 days | Weeks to months | None |
| Addresses root cause | Yes | No | Sometimes | No |
| Long-term results | Durable, compounding | Temporary (3–6 months) | Permanent, with risk | Ongoing use required |
| Risk of side effects | Minimal | Moderate | High | High |
Cortisone Injections | Knee Surgery | Pain Medication | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Regenerates tissue, reduces inflammation | Masks inflammation | Repairs or replaces joint | Masks pain |
| Recovery time | None to minimal | 1–2 days | Weeks to months | None |
| Addresses root cause | Yes | No | Sometimes | No |
| Long-term results | Durable, compounding | Temporary (3–6 months) | Permanent, with risk | Ongoing use required |
| Risk of side effects | Minimal | Moderate | High | High |
Real Knee Pain Patients. Real Results.
Verified reviews from patients across the Richmond metro area.
4.9★
Across 46 verified Google reviews.
Questions About Knee Pain
Answers from our clinical team.
Most knee pain is not an emergency, but some warning signs warrant prompt attention: inability to bear weight, sudden swelling, hearing a pop followed by pain, or instability that makes your knee feel like it might give out. Pain lasting more than two weeks, especially if it is interfering with daily activity, is a good reason to see a specialist. If you are unsure, a free consultation will give you clarity.
In the majority of cases, yes. Most knee pain — including moderate osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and many meniscus issues — responds well to non-surgical treatment. At Joint Freedom, 87% of our patients who were initially recommended for surgery have avoided it through our multi-modal treatment approach. Surgery is sometimes the right answer, but it is rarely the only answer.
It depends on the treatment and the severity of your condition. Laser therapy often provides meaningful relief within two to four sessions. PRP results typically emerge between three and six months as tissue regenerates. HA injections often deliver relief within a few weeks. We will give you a realistic timeline based on your specific plan during your consultation.
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic knee pain in adults over 40, but it is not the only one. Meniscus tears, tendonitis, ligament damage, bursitis, and alignment issues all cause knee pain that can feel similar. A proper diagnosis is critical because the right treatment depends on the actual cause. We will evaluate your knee thoroughly before recommending anything.
Not always. Many knee conditions can be accurately diagnosed from history and physical examination alone. If imaging is indicated, we will coordinate it. We do not order tests you do not need, and we do not skip tests that would change your treatment plan.
It depends on your condition and the treatments we use. Laser therapy typically requires six to twelve sessions. PRP usually requires two to three treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. HA injections are often a single series of three injections over a few weeks. Most multi-modal plans take eight to sixteen weeks to complete.
In most cases, yes. We will give you specific guidance based on your condition and the treatments you are receiving. For most patients, gentle movement and modified activity actually support the healing process. We will tell you what to avoid, for how long, and when to resume.
Cortisone can provide short-term relief but does not address the underlying cause. Repeated cortisone injections can actually accelerate joint degeneration over time. Our regenerative approach — PRP, HA, and laser — works differently. It is designed to repair, not mask. Many of our most successful patients come to us after cortisone has stopped working.
Cost depends on which treatments you receive and how many sessions your plan requires. We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees — you will know exactly what your plan costs before you commit. We accept HSA and FSA payments. Most insurance does not cover regenerative therapies for orthopedic conditions, but we will verify your benefits and explore any available coverage.
We offer same-week consultations in most cases. Your first visit is free and takes about thirty minutes. You leave with answers and a clear plan. If we are not the right fit, we will tell you and point you in the right direction.
Pricing
Knee pain treatment cost depends on which therapies we use and the length of your plan. Laser therapy is the most accessible entry point. PRP and HA injections represent a larger investment, but one that often replaces the cost of surgery, ongoing medication, or repeated cortisone injections.
We build plans around what will actually work for your knee — not around what insurance happens to cover. Exact pricing is provided during your free consultation.
Payment Options
- HSA and FSA payments accepted for eligible treatments
- Joint Freedom does not bill insurance directly
- Regenerative therapies (PRP, HA) typically not insurance-covered
- Transparent pricing provided during consultation
- Payment plans available for qualifying treatment plans
- All major credit cards accepted
Your First Visit
Your first visit is a free consultation — no commitment, no pressure. We review your history, evaluate your knee, and discuss which treatments make sense for your specific situation. If we can help, we build your plan together with clear expectations, timelines, and pricing.
If we are not the right fit, we will tell you that honestly and recommend what is. The consultation takes about thirty minutes. You leave with answers, not a sales pitch.

What to Bring
- Any prior imaging (X-rays, MRIs) if available
- A list of medications and supplements
- Notes on when and how your pain started
- Questions about treatments you have considered
- Comfortable clothing that allows us to examine your knee
Related Conditions We Treat
Knee pain often shows up with other issues. If any of these sound familiar, we can help.
COMPENSATION INJURY
Lower Back Pain
Knee problems often cause compensation patterns that stress your lower back. We frequently treat both together.

ACUTE & OVERUSE
Sports Injuries
Knee injuries from running, cycling, tennis, pickleball, and team sports. We treat the full range of active adult injuries.

CHRONIC JOINT CONDITION
Arthritis
If your knee pain is part of a broader arthritis diagnosis, we can help you manage it comprehensively across multiple joints.

Ready to get back to what you love?
Find out what is causing your knee pain and what you can do about it. Free consultation. No pressure. No pitch.
Address
2301 N Parham Rd, Ste 1Henrico, VA 23229
Phone
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 9:30am – 4:30pm · Friday: 9:00am – 1:00pm · Saturday & Sunday: Closed
We proudly serve patients throughout the Richmond metropolitan area, including Richmond, Henrico, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Midlothian, Mechanicsville, and Chesterfield, and surrounding Virginia communities.
