
Knee pain is discomfort in or around the knee joint that can come from a sudden injury, such as a ligament sprain or meniscus tear, or from a gradual, wear-and-tear condition like osteoarthritis. At Life Balance Pain Care in Atlanta, we start by evaluating the source of your pain, then build a personalized, non-surgical plan that may draw on regenerative options like PRP, image-guided injections, trigger point therapy, and supportive care to help you move and feel more comfortable.
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If your knee shows any of these, an evaluation can help identify the cause and the right next step.
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The knee is the largest joint in your body, where the thigh bone meets the shin bone, cushioned by cartilage, stabilized by ligaments, and moved by muscles and tendons. Because it carries so much of your weight and absorbs force with every step, the knee is also one of the most common places to feel pain. That pain can be sharp or aching, occasional or constant, and it may sit on the front, back, inside, or outside of the joint depending on what is going on underneath.
Knee pain shows up across every stage of life, from active runners and weekend athletes to older adults navigating arthritis, and from people recovering after a car accident to those whose jobs keep them on their feet. Whatever brought you here, the goal at Life Balance Pain Care is to understand the cause first, then meet it with the least invasive, most patient-centered care that makes sense for you.
We start with conservative and regenerative options like PRP, image-guided injections, and supportive care before any conversation about surgery.
Through shared decision-making, your plan is built around your diagnosis, your goals, and your daily life, not a one-size-fits-all template.
Your care is guided by Dr. Brad S. Bootstaylor, M.D., with three convenient Atlanta locations in Midtown, Camp Creek, and Greenbriar.

We begin with a careful history and physical exam to pinpoint where and why your knee hurts. When helpful, we use imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI to understand the joint, ligaments, and cartilage so your plan addresses the real source of pain, not just the symptom.
Together, through shared decision-making, we design a plan around your diagnosis and goals. This often starts with conservative measures like activity modification, targeted strengthening and physical therapy, bracing or supports, and medications to help calm pain and inflammation.
When appropriate, we offer regenerative and minimally invasive options, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), ultrasound and image-guided injections placed in the joint or surrounding tissue, and trigger point therapy for the muscles that support the knee.
Healing is a process, so we monitor your progress, adjust your plan as your knee responds, and reinforce the strength and mobility that help protect the joint over time. If more advanced care is ever needed, we help coordinate the next step.
Schedule an evaluation or call our team — most patients are seen quickly across our three Atlanta locations.

Knee pain generally falls into a few overlapping categories. Injuries are a frequent cause, including ligament sprains and tears such as an ACL or MCL injury, meniscus (cartilage) tears, fractures, and dislocations, often from a sudden twist, fall, or impact. Overuse conditions develop over time from repetitive kneeling, running, or jumping and include tendinitis, bursitis, iliotibial (IT) band syndrome, and patellofemoral pain syndrome, sometimes called runner's knee. Arthritis is another common driver: osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear breakdown of cartilage, frequently affects the knee, while rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and post-traumatic arthritis can also be involved. Mechanical problems, such as a loose fragment of cartilage or bone inside the joint, can cause catching or locking. Identifying which of these is at play is the foundation of effective treatment.
Alongside pain, the knee may swell, feel stiff, or look red and warm. Many people notice weakness or instability, a sense that the knee might buckle or give way, or popping, clicking, and grinding with movement. Sometimes the knee will not fully straighten or bend. It is reasonable to have a healthcare provider evaluate knee pain that lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, or interferes with everyday activities. Seek prompt medical attention if you cannot bear weight or move the knee, if it is severely swollen or deformed, if you have an obvious injury, or if there is significant pain, redness, warmth, and fever, which can signal infection. When in doubt, it is always safer to be evaluated.

Not necessarily. Many causes of knee pain respond to non-surgical care, and at Life Balance Pain Care we prioritize conservative and regenerative options first. We would only discuss surgery if it appears to be the best path for you, and that decision is always yours through shared decision-making.
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is prepared from a small sample of your own blood and concentrated to deliver growth factors. It is injected into or around the knee, often under ultrasound guidance, as part of a regenerative approach for certain knee conditions. We will explain whether it may be appropriate for your specific diagnosis.
Image guidance lets us see the joint and surrounding structures in real time, which helps us place the medication or PRP more accurately. This is part of how we aim to make treatment as comfortable and effective as possible for your situation.
Seek prompt care if you cannot bear weight or move the knee, if it is severely swollen or deformed after an injury, or if you have intense pain along with redness, warmth, and fever. For pain that lingers more than a few days or keeps interfering with daily life, it is wise to schedule an evaluation.
Yes. We treat knee injuries from car accidents and other personal-injury situations, and we accept attorney liens for qualifying personal-injury cases so you can focus on healing. Let us know your situation when you call and we will walk you through how it works.
Life Balance Pain Care has three Atlanta locations: Midtown, Camp Creek, and Greenbriar. To get started, call us at 404-618-6825 and we will help you schedule an evaluation at the location most convenient for you.