Knee pain can make everyday activities feel difficult. Walking, climbing stairs, or simply standing up from a chair may become a struggle. Dr. Reza Jazayeri is a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist serving patients throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, with offices in Beverly Hills, Westlake Village, and Orange.
He focuses on non-surgical approaches first, using evidence-based methods to address knee pain at its source. His clinical approach includes thorough evaluation, targeted therapy, and personalized planning.
Whether your discomfort stems from an old sports injury or gradual wear and tear, you have options that do not start with surgery. Knowing what is available can help you take the next step toward moving comfortably again.
Non-Surgical Approaches To Alleviate Knee Pain
Many knee conditions respond well to treatment without surgery. Dr. Jazayeri explores these paths first, drawing on over 15 years of experience treating athletes and active adults. Non-surgical care often begins with a detailed physical exam and muscle strength testing. X-rays help assess bone structure and joint condition.
When needed, MRI scans evaluate soft tissues around the knee. This thorough diagnostic process guides the treatment plan.
The goal is to reduce pain and improve function using the least invasive methods that fit your situation. For some patients, combining several non-surgical strategies produces the most effective results.
Medications For Reducing Inflammation And Pain
Medications can play a useful role in managing knee discomfort. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are commonly used to reduce swelling and ease pain. These medications help control inflammation that often contributes to knee stiffness and soreness.
Corticosteroids may also be prescribed in certain cases to address more persistent inflammation. Dr. Jazayeri considers your overall health, activity level, and specific knee condition before recommending any medication.
The aim is short-term relief that allows you to participate more fully in physical therapy and daily activities. Medication alone is rarely the complete answer, but it can be a helpful part of a broader treatment plan.
Role Of Physical Therapy In Knee Rehabilitation
Physical therapy strengthens the muscles that support your knee joint. Stronger quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles take pressure off the knee itself. This improves stability and can reduce pain during movement.
A structured therapy program also works on flexibility and range of motion. Dr. Jazayeri incorporates prehabilitation, a structured pre-surgical conditioning approach, into patient preparation when therapy is part of a larger plan.
Even when surgery is not needed, physical therapy remains a cornerstone of knee rehabilitation. Consistent work with a trained therapist helps you regain confidence in your knee and return to the activities you enjoy.
Benefits Of Low-Impact Exercises For Knee Health
Staying active is essential for knee health, but high-impact activities can make pain worse. Low-impact exercises offer a safer way to keep moving. Swimming and cycling are two excellent options that build strength without jarring the joint.
These activities maintain cardiovascular fitness while protecting the knee from excessive stress. Dr. Jazayeri often recommends low-impact exercise as part of a long-term strategy for managing knee conditions. The key is finding movements that do not trigger pain.
Consistent, gentle activity helps lubricate the joint and keeps supporting muscles engaged. This approach supports both recovery and ongoing knee health for patients across Greater Los Angeles.
Using Knee Braces For Support And Stability
A knee brace can provide external support when the joint feels unstable or weak. Braces come in different styles, from simple sleeves that offer compression to more structured designs that limit certain movements. For some patients in the Greater Los Angeles area, a brace makes it possible to stay active while a knee condition heals.
Others use bracing during specific activities that place extra demand on the joint. Dr. Jazayeri evaluates whether bracing fits your particular situation.
The right brace, used correctly, can improve confidence and reduce the risk of further injury. It is one more tool that may help delay or avoid the need for surgery.
Injection Therapies For Temporary Knee Pain Relief
Injection therapies can offer temporary relief when other non-surgical methods are not enough. Corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation directly within the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid injections aim to lubricate the joint, improving movement and comfort.
Dr. Jaz also uses biologics and regenerative medicine, including PRP and stem cell augmentation, as part of his broader clinical approach. These ortho-biologic treatments are considered when appropriate for the patient’s condition. Injections are not a permanent fix, but they can provide a window of reduced pain, that window often allows patients to progress further with physical therapy and low-impact exercise.
Weight Management Strategies For Healthy Knees
Extra body weight places additional stress on your knee joints. Even modest weight loss can significantly reduce that load. For every pound lost, the force on the knee during walking decreases by multiple pounds.
Dr. Jazayeri addresses weight management as part of his metabolic and nutritional optimization protocol. This includes preoperative lab testing for vitamin D, inflammatory markers, hormone levels, and muscle status.
Correcting nutritional deficiencies and using targeted supplements such as amino acids and vitamin D supports healing and overall joint health. A healthier body weight combined with proper nutrition creates a stronger foundation for your knees, whether you pursue non-surgical care or eventually need a procedure.
Individualized Planning and Technology:
Dr. Jaz approaches surgery the same way elite athletes prepare for competition. The healthier, stronger, and more optimized your body is before surgery, the better your recovery and long-term outcome.Â
This structured, evidence-based approach ensures your body is fully prepared—physically, metabolically, and nutritionally—to achieve the best possible results from surgery.
Comprehensive Evaluation
- Physical exam and muscle strength testing
- X-rays to assess bone structure and joint condition
- MRI to evaluate soft tissues like the rotator cuff
- CT scans (if needed) for detailed bone and implant planning
Metabolic and Nutritional Optimization
- Preoperative lab testing for: Vitamin D, inflammatory markers, hormone levels, and muscle status
- Correction of nutritional deficiencies
- Targeted supplements (e.g., amino acids, vitamin D) to support healing and reduce recovery time
Knee Pain Treatment FAQ
-
Common non-surgical treatments include medications like NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and pain. Physical therapy is also vital, as it strengthens the muscles around the knee and improves flexibility.
-
Physical therapy helps by strengthening the muscles that support the knee joint. This can improve stability and reduce pain during movement, making daily activities easier.
-
Yes, low-impact exercises such as swimming and cycling are often recommended. These activities help maintain fitness while minimizing stress on the knee joint.
-
Knee braces provide external support and stability to the joint. They can help patients stay active while recovering from knee conditions or during activities that put extra strain on the knee.
-
Injection therapies may be considered when other non-surgical treatments are not providing enough relief. Corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injections can help reduce inflammation and improve joint lubrication temporarily.
Why Choose Dr. Jaz For Your Knee Care?
When it comes to knee pain, you want someone who truly understands the issue. Dr. Reza Jazayeri, known to his patients as Dr. Jaz, is a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, with clinical expertise in shoulder, knee, and elbow care.
He has treated countless patients in the Greater Los Angeles area. His focus is on non-surgical options first, ensuring you explore every avenue before considering surgery.
Dr. Jazayeri’s approach is personalized. He uses advanced techniques like physical therapy, injection therapies, and nutritional optimization to help you regain mobility.
His dedication to patient care means he treats you like family, ensuring you receive the best possible support throughout your recovery journey. With a strong background from prestigious institutions like NYU and the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, you can trust that you’re in capable hands.
Meet Dr. Reza Jazayeri
Dr. Reza Jazayeri specializes in sports medicine with expertise in shoulder, knee, and elbow injuries. A Southern California native, Dr. Jazayeri combines an engineering background with elite surgical training, completing his orthopedic surgery residency at the nationally ranked NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases and a sports medicine fellowship at the renowned Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.
After more than 15 years caring for patients within the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Dr. Jazayeri joined DOCS Health to expand a practice focused on personalized orthopedic and sports medicine care and surgical excellence. As Director of Longevity at DOCS Health, he leads the development and implementation of optimization protocols and regenerative medicine strategies designed to improve long-term musculoskeletal health and extend healthspan.
His published work includes a 2026 coauthored review of nutritional optimization in spine surgery in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. View Dr. Jazayeri’s research publications and training.
Dr. Reza Jazayeri is fantastic. My knee was blown out in Jiu-Jitsu. Torn MCL, ACL and meniscus. He did an excellent job repairing the damage to my knee, and I’m happy to say I’m healing well, and I cannot thank him enough.
Consult With Dr. Reza Jazayeri For Personalized Care
Knee pain does not have to control your daily life. Dr. Reza Jazayeri brings double board certification in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine.
He applies this expertise to every patient he treats at his Beverly Hills, Westlake Village, and Orange offices. His practice philosophy is simple: treat every patient with the same level of care and attention he would give to his own family and friends.
He completed his sports medicine fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic and his orthopedic surgery residency at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. Virtual consultations are available for patients across California and beyond. Reach out to discuss your knee treatment options with Dr. Jazayeri.
Medically reviewed by Reza Jazayeri, M.D. on
