Knee Arthritis Dallas: Still active, but your knees are starting to dictate your life? Many high-performing people reach a point where they are told that knee replacement is the next logical step. For some, that may ultimately be true. But many patients wonder an important question first: "Have I explored every reasonable option before replacing my joint?" Recently, I saw a gentleman with a physically demanding job who had been informed that he was a candidate for knee replac

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Regen Experts powered by Pain Experts Deborah Westergaard, MD is a double board-certified physician with over two decades of advanced experience in minimally invasive, image-guided spine and musculoskeletal procedures. She specializes in precision-guided orthobiologic and regenerative medicine approaches designed to help selected patients pursue non-operative options for joint and spine conditions. Orthobiologic Joint Maintenance There is a momen

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Regen Experts powered by Pain Experts For much of my medical career, my mission was straightforward: Find the pain signal. Calm the pain signal. Help the patient suffer less. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Interventional pain management can be life-changing for people in severe pain. Nerve blocks, epidural procedures, spinal cord stimulation, and radiofrequency treatments have helped many patients regain function, sleep, mobility

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Regen Experts powered by Pain Experts The Problem: A Diagnosis That Often Leads Straight to Surgery He walked into my Dallas clinic with a familiar story. A high-performing individual. Disc degeneration on imaging. Pain beginning to interfere with movement, travel, and performance. And the message he had already started to hear: “This is degenerative disc disease… and eventually, you may need surgery.” This is where many patients feel their option

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano Recently, a patient shared that during his MRI, a radiology technologist told him, “PRP really doesn’t work for most people.” The statement wasn’t malicious but it was incomplete. And for patients trying to make informed decisions, incomplete information is often the most damaging kind. “PRP Doesn’t Work” A Misinterpretation of Technique, Not Science When you hear that PRP is unreliable, the issue is almost never the

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano Pain Transformation: When Pain Becomes the Teacher: Adversity as the Catalyst for Transformation When Pain Interrupts Your Power One day it’s simple. Twisting a cap, shifting gears, or signing your name. Then, seemingly overnight, that freedom disappears. Pain at the base of your thumb, the wrist that once steered your car or typed your vision into reality, now protests every small movement. Blow-drying your hair become

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano The Umbilical Stem Cell Myth: What the FDA Really Says The Myth: You’ve probably heard it. “Umbilical stem cells are the most powerful, youthful cells you can get. Why use your own when you can have younger ones?” It’s a seductive story, especially in an era obsessed with quick rejuvenation. Clinics across the country promote umbilical, placental, and amniotic products as if they were a medical revolution already blesse

And that’s the problem. Because to “feel” your way into a joint, you often have to touch bone — or even hit it — to know you’re deep enough. That’s uncomfortable for patients. And it’s imprecise. If you’ve ever had a joint injection that made you wince, that’s why. Blind Joint Injections are Not Necessary Now here’s what’s changed everything in my practice. Since switching entirely to ultrasound-guided joint injections, my patients tell me the same thing again and again: “Tha

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano The Problem with New Drugs for Chronic Pain Pharmaceutical companies continue to release new drugs for chronic pain, often celebrated as breakthroughs. These medications can quiet the brain’s pain signals or reduce inflammation temporarily. For some, they offer a measure of relief. But here’s the truth: pain is a signal. It’s the body’s way of alerting us to a deeper issue. If we only mask it, we risk ignoring the cause

By Deborah Westergaard, MD Board Certified in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology Pain Experts in Dallas–Plano Regenerative pain relief that works. Discover the next level of spine care. Best Regenerative Treatment for Back Pain Back pain doesn’t just slow you down—it reshapes the way you live. The boardroom feels heavier. Golf becomes optional. Travel becomes a maybe. And worse, you begin to question if feeling strong and capable is behind you. Here’s the truth: you don’t have

The Clinical Singularity: The Exploding Frontier of AI + Medicine What happens when AI doesn’t just translate—but also tracks who’s speaking, where they’re standing, and what language they’re using… all in real time? In this episode, we explore a breakthrough from the University of Washington: a spatial AI headset that understands multiple voices simultaneously while preserving their vocal identity and location. This isn’t a futuristic pitch. It’s real, and it could redefine

Choosing the Best Regenerative Care in a Crowded Market Navigating the world of regenerative medicine can be overwhelming for patients, especially when they face chronic pain, joint dysfunction, or spinal issues. Many patients hear about treatments from international clinics promising "cutting-edge" procedures unavailable in the U.S., leaving them questioning their options. Recently, a patient referred to me by a trusted spine surgeon came seeking regenerative treatment for l

Deborah Westergaard, MD Pain Experts While Cindy may need hip replacement surgery at some point in her future, for now, she’s enjoying the ability to stay active and with better pain control without invasive procedures. Disclaimer This video is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as specific medical advice. The testimonials featured on this website reflect the personal experiences of Regenexx patients. However, these accounts are not necessari

IWhile surgery is sometimes necessary for severe spinal conditions, many cases can be managed with non-surgical treatments. At Pain Experts, we collaborate closely with world-class spine and orthopedic surgeons to ensure you receive the most appropriate care for your condition. Our goal is to explore innovative, non-surgical treatments whenever possible while maintaining a patient-first approach. By integrating advanced regenerative medicine techniques with the expertise of t

By Deborah Westergaard, MD Pain Experts The Problem: Facing Hip Replacement Too Soon For many patients experiencing chronic hip pain, the recommendation for hip replacement surgery can feel overwhelming. While surgery is sometimes inevitable, there are those who, like one of my long-term patients, wish to delay it as long as possible. This particular patient, a woman in her early 60s, had been told she was a clear candidate for hip replacement by her orthopedic surgeon. She w

By Deborah Westergaard, MD Pain Experts The Problem: Incomplete Diagnosis and Treatment of Tennis Elbow Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is often misdiagnosed or treated with outdated approaches. Many doctors rely solely on physical exams and blind injections into the extensor tendon using steroids or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). While this may provide temporary pain relief, it often misses key issues like joint involvement, ligament instability, or cartilage damage tha

When you’re faced with pain from a herniated disc, surgery might seem like the quickest solution. However, surgery is not always the best option, and in many cases, disc issues can resolve with the right conservative care. Before opting for surgery, it’s important to explore all your options and understand why non-surgical treatments may be the best choice for you. The Role of the Posterior Ligamentous Complex (PLC) The spine’s stability relies heavily on the posterior ligame

By Deborah Westergaard, MD As a doctor who specializes in helping patients recover from joint pain and injuries, I’ve always believed in the importance of connecting with my patients. But now, having gone through hip replacement surgery myself, I’m even more aware of the nuances of the healing process. About two months into my post-operative journey, I continue to work with an incredible physical therapist who is guiding me through every stage of recovery. Yet, what amazes m

By Deborah Westergaard, MD Pain Experts Over the decades that I’ve practiced pain management and now non-operative orthopedics with a focus on orthobiologic treatments, I’ve watched countless individuals evolve from fully functional people experiencing some discomfort to later stages of life where mobility becomes a challenge. What’s interesting is how vastly different this experience can be for each person. We’re all unique in how we age—some of it comes down to genetics, bu

By Deboah Westergaard, MD Pain Experts When we talk about joint health, mobility, and spine wellness, it's easy to focus on treatments like orthobiologic procedures, supplements, and exercise regimens. But there's another essential factor we sometimes overlook—weight management. Maintaining a healthy weight doesn’t just help you look and feel better; it’s crucial to reducing the stress on your joints and spine. Here’s a fact that always catches people’s attention: for every f