The Doctor's Lounge, Bone Marrow and PRP for Knees in Dallas: What Doctors Should Know About Ligaments

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano

The Conversation That Sparked This Blog

Recently, in the orthopedic hospital lounge, I was speaking with a respected knee replacement surgeon when he stopped me mid-sentence and asked: “What do YOU know about ligaments?”

I was surprised. As physicians, we all work with connective tissue every day. The idea that a fellow doctor would question another doctor’s understanding of ligaments was… telling. As a female physician, I’ve encountered this kind of dismissive, almost disparaging remark before. But rather than let it unsettle me, I used the moment to explain some great points

PRP and Bone Marrow Concentrate for Knees in Dallas: A Ligament-Focused Perspective

Here’s what I shared with him:

My knowledge of ligaments spans three domains: clinical examination, imaging interpretation, and therapeutic intervention.

• Clinically: I can perform and interpret anterior and posterior drawer tests, along with varus and valgus stress tests, to assess ligament integrity.

  
  

• With imaging: Using ultrasound, I can dynamically evaluate the MCL and LCL under stress, providing real-time insight into laxity and healing potential. On MRI, I can detect ligament tears, measure retraction, and correlate those findings with instability in the joint.

  
  

• Therapeutically: Depending on the degree of damage, I support ligament repair and stability with orthobiologic interventions such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or bone marrow concentrate. These treatments can be particularly beneficial in cases of partial tearing, full tears with less than 1 cm retraction or insufficiency.

  
  

And beyond evaluation and injections, I’m also familiar with suturing ligaments directly. For example, when I perform spinal cord stimulator implantations, I anchor the leads to the supraspinous ligament. So, yes. I know ligaments, inside and out.

Bone Marrow for Knee Cartilage: Subchondral Nutrition in Dallas and Plano

But ligaments don’t exist in isolation. They are part of a larger joint system that includes cartilage, tendons, and subchondral bone. Each of these structures can be supported with regenerative medicine.

That’s why I follow research so closely. Studies by Dr. Philippe Hernigou, for instance, have shown that placing concentrated bone marrow into the subchondral bone may help nourish cartilage from below. In these studies, many patients delayed joint replacement—and some were even able to avoid it. While results vary, the data highlight that regenerative approaches are real, evidence-based options for protecting natural joints.

Why It Matters

Orthobiologics does not always replace surgery. Orthobiologics expands the toolbox: for me, for orthopedic surgeons, and most importantly, for patients who want to stay active and resilient as they age.

Let's Talk

If you’ve been told surgery is your only option, it may not be the full story. At Pain Experts in Dallas and Plano, we evaluate ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and bone as part of an integrated system.

Schedule a consultation today to learn whether PRP or bone marrow concentrate could support your mobility and stability.

Stay strong. Stay mobile. Stay powerful.

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