Knee pain and osteoarthritis

Knee Pain Treatment in Glastonbury, CT: Non-Surgical Care

Authored and medically reviewed by Paul D. Tortland, DO, FAOASM, CAQSM, RMSK. Last reviewed October 2026.

Quick answer

Dr. Paul Tortland, DO, is a dual board certified non-surgical orthopedic and sports medicine physician in Glastonbury, CT. He diagnoses knee pain with live ultrasound and treats arthritis, meniscus tears and tendon pain with targeted injections, nerve procedures and regenerative options, so many patients avoid or delay surgery.

What it is: non-surgical knee care built on an exact diagnosis. Options include hydrodissection for entrapped nerves, intraosseous injections for bone marrow lesions, prolotherapy, and regenerative treatments such as PRP, BMAC and MFAT.

Who it fits: many people with mild to moderate arthritis, meniscus tears or tendon pain. A truly bone on bone knee may still need surgery, and you will be told so. See the alternatives to knee replacement.

What is different: Dr. Tortland has practiced sports medicine for more than 30 years, is an Associate Clinical Professor at the UConn School of Medicine and has been team physician for U.S. Figure Skating since 2003. He performs every evaluation and injection himself.

Indications

Knee Conditions We Treat in Glastonbury, CT

Choose your diagnosis to see causes, treatment options and answers for that condition.

Comparison

How Non-Surgical Knee Care Compares With Other Knee Treatments

Option

What it does

Duration of benefit

Tissue impact

OptionHyaluronic acid (gel)

What it doesAdds lubrication and cushioning to the joint

Duration of benefitMonths, variable

Tissue impactEases symptoms, no repair effect on cartilage

OptionProlotherapy or Prolozone

What it doesPrompts a mild healing response in irritated or lax ligaments and tendon attachments

Duration of benefitVaries, often given as a short series

Tissue impactSupports ligament and tendon stability

OptionPRP

What it doesDelivers growth factors that stimulate repair

Duration of benefitOften 6 to 12 months in patients who respond

Tissue impactAims to improve tissue quality

OptionStem cells (BMAC and MFAT)

What it doesDelivers cells plus signaling proteins

Duration of benefitOften longer in advanced joints

Tissue impactStronger biologic signal for degenerated joints

OptionHydrodissection

What it doesUltrasound-guided fluid frees nerves trapped in scar tissue, such as the genicular nerves or scarring after past surgery

Duration of benefitDepends on the cause

Tissue impactReleases the nerve without removing tissue

OptionSurgery

What it doesRemoves or replaces structure

Duration of benefitLong-term, definitive for the right case

Tissue impactStructural change with recovery cost

Why Dr. Tortland

Why See Dr. Tortland Before Choosing Knee Surgery

Dr. Tortland is a dual board certified sports medicine physician who has treated knee conditions without surgery since founding his practice in 1995. He looks for the exact source of your pain first, then performs your evaluation and every injection himself under live ultrasound. Your plan might be a targeted injection, a nerve procedure or a regenerative treatment, chosen for your knee rather than taken from a menu. In 2015 he became the first physician in the world certified in regenerative medicine, and if your knee is truly bone on bone he will say so and refer you to a surgeon.

Read more about Dr. Tortland, see how PRP for knee arthritis holds up against the evidence, or learn when alternatives to orthopedic surgery make sense.

Frequently asked

Knee Pain FAQs

Does PRP work for knee arthritis?

It may help many people, though the research is mixed. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons rates the evidence as limited, and the largest placebo-controlled trial found no clear benefit at 12 months, while a 29-trial review found PRP relief lasted longer than hyaluronic acid or cortisone. Dr. Tortland places PRP or PRP Supershot precisely under live ultrasound, and in his experience relief can last a year or more for many patients. Results vary.

How can I avoid or delay knee replacement?

Many people manage knee arthritis for years without surgery. Strengthening, weight management and bracing come first. Injections such as PRP, BMA or MFAT (your own cells, using FDA-cleared devices), hyaluronic acid, prolotherapy and intraosseous injections can help delay or avoid replacement when arthritis is early to moderate. Advanced bone-on-bone arthritis that limits daily life despite treatment usually needs a surgical consult.

How long does a PRP knee injection last, and what is recovery like?

Soreness or puffiness usually fades in a day or two, and many people feel relief within a few weeks. Relief is often reported to last six months to a year or longer. In Dr. Tortland's experience many patients get long-lasting relief, and some have lasting benefit. Some need a repeat treatment, and results vary from person to person. Follow-up is typically 6 weeks to 3 months after treatment.

What non-surgical options are there for knee pain, meniscus tears and bone-on-bone knees?

Options depend on the cause, found with a full exam and live ultrasound. They include PRP, PRP Supershot, BMA or MFAT, hydrodissection for irritated nerves, intraosseous injections, prolotherapy, Prolozone, joint injections, hyaluronic acid, and EMTT or shockwave (ESWT). Many degenerative meniscus tears respond to non-surgical care first, and bone-on-bone knees are evaluated case by case.

When should I see a specialist for knee pain?

See a specialist if knee pain lasts more than a few weeks, swelling keeps returning, or the knee locks, gives way, or will not fully bend or straighten. Get urgent care if you cannot bear weight, the knee looks deformed, pain is severe after an injury, or you have fever with redness and swelling.

How much does knee treatment cost, and is it covered by insurance?

Dr. Tortland is out of network with all insurance plans and offers direct-pay care so every visit can be unrushed and comprehensive. The initial evaluation and comprehensive diagnostic workup is $500. PRP treatment starts at $1,800. Follow-up is typically 6 weeks to 3 months after treatment.

When should I see a specialist for knee pain?+

See a specialist if knee pain lasts more than a few weeks, limits walking, stairs or sleep, or follows an injury that causes swelling or locking. A diagnostic ultrasound exam shows which structure is failing, so treatment is matched to the actual cause instead of guessed.

What non-surgical treatments are available for knee pain?+

The right option depends on the cause of your pain. Dr. Tortland uses ultrasound-guided hydrodissection for entrapped nerves, intraosseous injections for bone marrow lesions, prolotherapy, and regenerative treatments such as PRP, BMAC and MFAT. He matches the treatment to your exam and imaging, not a one size protocol. See the alternatives to knee replacement.

How much does non-surgical knee treatment cost, and is it covered by insurance?+

The initial evaluation is $500, and PRP starts at $1,800. Most insurers do not cover PRP or cellular treatments for the knee, so those are paid out of pocket. The diagnostic ultrasound and X-ray or MRI review that come first are often billable to insurance. Follow-up is within 6 weeks to 3 months. Request a consultation for a plan specific to your knee.

Written and clinically reviewed by

Paul D. Tortland, DO, FAOASM

Paul D. Tortland, DO, FAOASM, CAQSM, RMSK

Last clinically reviewed

October 2026

Sources

Sources and Further Reading on Knee Pain Treatment

Mulvaney SW, Tortland PD, Shiple B, Curtis K. Regenerative medicine options for chronic musculoskeletal conditions: a review of the literature. Endurance and Sports Medicine. 2018.

Belk JW, Kraeutler MJ, Houck DA, Goodrich JA, Dragoo JL, McCarty EC. Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Sports Med. 2021;49(1):249-260.

Filardo G, Kon E, Buda R, Timoncini A, Di Martino A, Cenacchi A, Fornasari PM, Giannini S, Marcacci M. Platelet-rich plasma intra-articular knee injections for the treatment of degenerative cartilage lesions and osteoarthritis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2011;19(4):528-535.

Hernigou P, Bouthors C, Bastard C, Flouzat Lachaniette CH, Rouard H, Dubory A. Subchondral bone or intra-articular injection of bone marrow concentrate mesenchymal stem cells in bilateral knee osteoarthritis: what better postpones knee arthroplasty at fifteen years? Int Orthop. 2021;45(2):391-399.

Oeding JF, Varady NH, Fearington FW, et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Alternative Injections for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Systematic Review and Statistical Fragility Index-Based Meta-analysis. Am J Sports Med. 2024;52(12):3147-3160.

Pintore A, Notarfrancesco D, Zara A, Oliviero A, Migliorini F, Oliva F, Maffulli N. Intra-articular injection of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) or adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for knee osteoarthritis: a prospective comparative clinical trial. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023;18:350.