Knee Pain Doctor New Jersey

Knee pain can affect nearly every part of your day. Walking, climbing stairs, getting out of a chair, exercising, or standing for long periods can become uncomfortable when something isn’t functioning properly in your knee.

For some people, knee pain begins after a sports injury or sudden movement. For others, it develops gradually from arthritis, tendon problems, or changes within the joint.

Because several different structures can cause knee pain, identifying the source is essential to choosing the right treatment.

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Todd Koppel has helped patients throughout New Jersey manage musculoskeletal pain and improve their ability to perform everyday activities.

His approach focuses on understanding your diagnosis, reviewing your treatment history, and recommending options based on your individual needs.

Whether your knee pain is new or has been limiting you for years, an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward finding relief.

Common Symptoms of Knee Pain

Knee pain can vary depending on the underlying condition.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain when walking or standing
• Difficulty climbing or descending stairs
• Stiffness after sitting or resting
• Swelling around the knee
• Pain when bending or straightening the leg
• Clicking, popping, or catching sensations
• A feeling that the knee may give way
• Tenderness around the kneecap or joint line
• Reduced range of motion
• Pain that interferes with exercise or daily activities

Some symptoms develop gradually, while others appear immediately after an injury.

What Is Causing Your Knee Pain?

The knee contains cartilage, ligaments, tendons, menisci, and other structures that work together to support movement.

Pain may originate from one or several of these tissues.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage within the knee joint becomes damaged over time.

It may cause aching, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty with weight-bearing activities.

Symptoms can worsen with prolonged walking or standing, although some people also experience stiffness after resting.

Depending on the severity, treatment may include exercise, weight management when appropriate, medication, or targeted joint injections.

Meniscus Injuries

The menisci are pieces of cartilage that help cushion and stabilize the knee.

A meniscus can tear during a twisting injury or develop degenerative changes over time.

Symptoms may include joint-line pain, swelling, catching, or difficulty bending the knee.

Treatment depends on the type of tear, symptoms, and whether other structures are affected.

Patellar Tendinopathy

The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the shinbone.

Repetitive jumping, running, or other loading activities can cause persistent pain below the kneecap.

Learn more about tendinitis and tendinopathy.

Ligament Injuries

Ligaments help stabilize the knee.

Injuries to the ACL, MCL, or other ligaments may occur during sports, falls, or sudden changes in direction.

Symptoms can include pain, swelling, instability, and difficulty bearing weight.

Some ligament injuries require orthopedic evaluation, particularly when significant instability is present.

Patellofemoral Pain

Patellofemoral pain develops around or behind the kneecap.

It may become more noticeable during stairs, squatting, running, or prolonged sitting.

Treatment often focuses on strengthening, movement mechanics, and addressing factors that contribute to excessive stress around the kneecap.

How We Diagnose Knee Pain

The appropriate treatment depends on which structure is causing your symptoms.

During your evaluation, Dr. Koppel reviews your medical history, activity level, previous injuries, and treatments.

Your evaluation may include:

• Physical examination of the knee
• Assessment of range of motion and strength
• Evaluation of swelling and joint tenderness
• Testing for instability when appropriate
• Review of X-rays or MRI
• Assessment of prior treatment results

If symptoms suggest a condition requiring orthopedic care, Dr. Koppel can discuss the appropriate next steps.

When Should You See a Knee Pain Specialist?

Consider scheduling an evaluation if:

• Knee pain has lasted several weeks without improvement
• You experience recurring swelling
• Pain limits walking, stairs, or everyday activities
• Your knee feels unstable or repeatedly gives way
• You have persistent stiffness or reduced movement
• Conservative treatment hasn’t provided adequate relief

Seek prompt medical care if you cannot bear weight after an injury, have a visibly deformed knee, or develop a hot, swollen joint with fever.

Knee Pain Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your knee pain.

Dr. Koppel may recommend conservative measures, targeted injections, or selected procedures.

Joint Injections

Joint injections may be considered for certain causes of knee pain, including osteoarthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions.

The medication or preparation used depends on your diagnosis and treatment goals.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

PRP therapy uses platelets concentrated from your own blood.

PRP has been studied for knee osteoarthritis and certain soft-tissue injuries. Some patients experience symptom improvement, but study results vary and it is not a proven way to restore lost cartilage.

Dr. Koppel can explain whether PRP is a reasonable option for your condition.

Treatment for Patellar Tendinopathy

When knee pain originates from the patellar tendon, treatment may focus on progressive rehabilitation and managing tendon load.

Additional procedures may be considered in selected cases of persistent tendinopathy.

Diagnostic Arthroscopy with Stem Cell Injections

For selected knee conditions, Dr. Koppel may discuss diagnostic arthroscopy with stem cell injections, as identified in his treatment recommendations.

Arthroscopy uses a small camera inserted into the joint to examine internal structures. Whether it is appropriate depends on the diagnosis, previous imaging, symptoms, and the procedure being considered.

Stem cell-based injections remain investigational for many orthopedic conditions. They have not been established as reliable methods for regenerating knee cartilage or reversing osteoarthritis.

The potential benefits, risks, alternatives, and regulatory status of the specific proposed procedure should be reviewed before treatment.

Why Choose Dr. Todd Koppel?

Knee pain can arise from several different conditions, and treatment should reflect the source of your symptoms.

Dr. Koppel works with patients throughout New Jersey to develop individualized pain management plans.

Patients choose Dr. Koppel because he offers:

• Nearly 30 years of experience in pain management
• 1,000+ five-star patient reviews across trusted review platforms
• Board certification in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology
• Fellowship training in Interventional Pain Management
• A medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College
• Residency training at The New York Hospital & The Hospital for Special Surgery.
• Personalized treatment plans
• Image-guided procedures when appropriate
• An approach that considers conservative care before more invasive treatment
• Time to discuss your diagnosis and available options

His goal is to help you understand your knee pain and make informed decisions about treatment.