In 2025, knee pain isn’t just a problem for athletes or the elderly. More office workers, fitness lovers, and even teenagers are reporting chronic knee discomfort often without knowing whether it’s Runner’s Knee, early osteoarthritis, or something else
Knee pain is one of the most common joint issues seen in clinics across Bangkok.From early cartilage wear in young adults to chronic osteoarthritis in older patients, more people are exploring non-surgical options like PRP and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) to relieve symptoms and avoid long recovery times, the demand for regenerative knee treatments like stem cell therapy is growing rapidly
Patellofemoral syndrome
Patellofemoral syndrome is a pain at the front of the knee, behind or around the kneecap. It is also known as ‘runner’s knee’ as it often affects runners. Even though it’s called runner knee, but it does not only happen with runner but also people who has slim legs, people who drives a lot or even office workers who sit a lot. Especially, women are more likely to suffer from it than men and it also frequently occurs in young adults as well
Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition also known as degenerative arthritis, where is typically the result of wear and tear and progressive loss of articular cartilage causing pain, stiffness and reduce mobility. It is most common in elderly. Knee osteoarthritis can be divided into two types which are primary and secondary
Primary vs. Secondary Osteoarthritis: The difference?
Primary osteoarthritis refers to joint degeneration that occurs without an identifiable underlying cause usually develops over time due to wear and tear. On the other hand, secondary osteoarthritis results from specific factors such as abnormal joint loading due to injury or underlying conditions that affect the cartilage, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Osteoarthritis is generally a progressive condition and can eventually lead to physical disability if left unmanaged
| Aspect | Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome) | Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) |
| Cause | Overuse, muscle imbalance, kneecap misalignment, cartilage irritation under patella | Degenerative wear-and-tear of joint cartilage, often with bone spurs and inflammation |
| Progression | Not always progressive if causes are addressed | Progressive cartilage loss worsens over time |
| Treatment Options | Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome) | Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) |
| MSCs Stem Cells | Can help reduce inflammation in the knee joint and support cartilage repair in cases with cartilage damage under the kneecap but results depend on correcting biomechanics to prevent recurrence | Strong evidence for reducing inflammation, slowing degeneration, and supporting cartilage regeneration; can extend the time before surgery is needed or improve recovery after surgery |
| Surgery | Typically not the first line of treatment. Surgery is only considered in cases with clear structural abnormalities (e.g., realignment, cartilage smoothing, or lateral release). These procedures can be complex, and success rates vary | Well-established procedures: partial or total knee replacement with high long-term success rates |
About EDNA Wellness
Located in Bangkok, EDNA Wellness is a private clinic specializing in Stem Cell Therapy for Neurology & Stroke as well as Bones & Joints. Beyond rehabilitation, we also provide aesthetic and wellness treatments to support your full-body vitality. All delivered with expert care and compassion
For more information or inquiries, contact us via
LINE @ednawellness
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