Medically reviewed by Derek Wimmer, PA Updated
Osteoarthritis — the gradual wearing of joint cartilage — commonly affects the knees, hips, and shoulders. Wimmer manages it non-surgically using Wharton's Jelly with mesenchymal stem cells, PRP, peptides, and image-guided injections among the options, alongside hyaluronic acid and proactive maintenance planning to reduce pain and protect function.
| What it is | Wear of joint cartilage (osteoarthritis) |
|---|---|
| Common joints | Knee, hip, shoulder |
| Key options | Wharton's Jelly with mesenchymal stem cells, PRP, peptides, injections |
| Goal | Reduce pain, delay surgery |
Common causes & symptoms
- Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
- 'Bone-on-bone' discomfort and reduced range of motion
- Pain with activity that eases with rest
- Most common in knees, hips, and shoulders
When to seek care
If arthritis is limiting your activity, lingering for more than a couple of weeks, waking you at night, or causing swelling or instability, it's worth a proper evaluation. Early, accurate assessment often opens up more — and less invasive — options.
How we evaluate it
Your visit begins with an in-office evaluation, with imaging — ultrasound or fluoroscopy — when it's needed, so we can see the area clearly. Occasionally we'll arrange additional imaging elsewhere. From there, Derek builds a personalized, honest plan — and walks you through the options for your situation.
Non-surgical options we may consider
- Wharton's Jelly with mesenchymal stem cells — an umbilical-derived allograft, an emerging non-surgical option offered with honest, individualized counsel
- PRP — platelet-rich plasma to support your body's own repair signaling
- Peptides — targeted peptides such as BPC-157 to support recovery and tissue resilience
- Injections — precise, image-guided delivery for the affected joint
- Hyaluronic acid — to cushion and lubricate arthritic joints
- Maintenance planning — to protect joints and stay active
Keeping you active
For golfers, pickleball and tennis players, boaters, and active retirees, the goal isn't just less pain — it's getting back to the life you love and staying there. That's the heart of how we plan your care.
Terms to know
- PRP
- Platelet-rich plasma, prepared from a patient's own blood to concentrate platelets for an injection.
- Hyaluronic acid
- A substance used in viscosupplementation injections, sometimes called gel shots.
- Image-guided injection
- An injection performed while the clinician uses real-time imaging to see the treatment area.
