Joint Pain Lies: Why Popular Injections Don’t Rebuild Cartilage—and What You Need to Know
The Painful Truth About Osteoarthritis — And Why Most Injections Don’t Fix It
If joint injections truly regenerated cartilage, why are joint replacements increasing every year?
That’s the question most patients never get to ask.
In a recent lecture given by The Institute of Regenerative Education, Dr. Martin discusses in detail how our joints break down and common misconceptions regarding available treatment options. The following are highlights from this lecture
Osteoarthritis affects over 100 million Americans, making it one of the most common causes of chronic pain. Millions of patients are told the same hopeful phrase:
“This should help regenerate your joint.”
But here’s the truth most people never hear:
Most osteoarthritis treatments reduce pain—but do not repair damaged cartilage.
Understanding that difference can save you time, money, and years of frustration.
What Is Osteoarthritis and Why Does It Get Worse Over Time?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is not just “wear and tear.”
It’s a progressive breakdown of joint cartilage that often begins long before symptoms appear.
The Silent Joint Damage That Starts Years Before Pain
Joint damage rarely starts with pain.
It starts quietly.
Common contributors include:
Being bow-legged or knock-kneed
Old sports injuries you “walked off”
Years of uneven pressure through a joint
These create tiny cartilage injuries that slowly accumulate. You don’t feel them at first. Life goes on.
By the time pain finally shows up, the joint may already be past its ability to fully heal.
When Cartilage Damage Becomes Irreversible
In early osteoarthritis, cartilage cells attempt to repair damage.
But ongoing stress flips a biological switch:
Repair cells stop repairing
Inflammation increases
Cartilage weakens, cracks, and absorbs excess water
Once this stage is reached, the damage becomes irreversible.
This is a critical distinction:
Pain relief may still be possible.
Cartilage regeneration is not.
Why Some Osteoarthritis Injections Can Make Symptoms Worse
Many patients are never warned that some injections increase inflammation.
Increased inflammation can cause:
Joint swelling
Fluid buildup (effusion)
Faster cartilage breakdown
When pain worsens after an injection, patients often think the treatment failed.
In reality, it did exactly what it was designed to do—it just was never intended to regenerate cartilage.
The Missing Ingredient in Cartilage Repair: Type II Collagen
Healthy cartilage depends on type II collagen.
Here’s a fact that surprises most patients:
Your body does not make type II collagen—and you can’t get it from food.
No diet, supplement, or protein powder supplies it.
Without type II collagen, true cartilage repair is biologically impossible, no matter how convincing the marketing is.
Supportive vs Regenerative Treatments for Osteoarthritis
Not all treatments are bad. Many help symptoms.
But it’s essential to understand what they actually do.
Treatment Helps Pain & Symptoms Rebuilds Cartilage
PRP Injections Sometimes ❌ No
Bone Marrow Injections Sometimes ❌ No
Hyaluronic Acid Injections Yes ❌ No
Wharton’s Jelly Yes YES Contains Type 1, 2, 3 Collagen
Potential to support and repair
Improved function is real.
The Bottom Line on Osteoarthritis Treatment
If you’re still hurting after injections, therapy, or procedures, it doesn’t mean you failed.
It means you may have been given hope without biology.
You deserve:
Honest explanations
Clear expectations
Treatments aligned with how joints actually work
Not miracle language.
If you’re dealing with chronic joint pain, the most important step is understanding your joint—and not chase promises.
👉 Before your next procedure:
Ask what stage your cartilage is in
Ask whether the treatment is supportive or regenerative
Ask what biology—not marketing—supports the recommendation
If you want help understanding your options, schedule a consultation
Informed patients make better decisions—and better decisions change outcomes.
