You've Tried Everything Else. There's One More Option Worth Knowing About.
If you've been managing knee or joint pain with cortisone shots, physical therapy, or medications — and you're still not better — you may be a candidate for a more targeted approach. Dr. Steve Derrington and Dr. Melanie Worley specialize in advanced, image-guided non-surgical procedures designed to address the underlying source of your pain.
Or call (760) 721-4000 | No obligation. No pressure. Honest answers.
Serving Carlsbad • Laguna Hills • North County San Diego • South Orange County.
115,700+
Procedures in the Regenexx Network
15+ Years
Interventional Sports Medicine Experience
#1
Largest Regenexx Provider in Southern California
Still in Pain After Trying Everything? You're Not Alone — and You're Not Out of Options.
Most patients who find us have already been through the standard playbook: pain medications, steroid/cortisone injections, months of physical therapy. Some have been told surgery is their only remaining option. They come to us frustrated, skeptical, and often in significant daily pain. What we offer isn't a miracle. It's a different clinical approach — one that uses advanced imaging to pinpoint the exact source of your pain and treats it with precision, using your body's own biology to support repair. It's not right for everyone, and we'll tell you honestly if it's not right for you.Who this is most often appropriate for:
Active adults in their 40s–70s with knee or joint pain who want to exhaust non-surgical options before committing to surgery — and who are ready to invest in a thorough evaluation to understand what's actually happening in their body.
Led by Two of Southern California's Most Experienced Non-Surgical Orthopedic Physicians
Dr. Steve Derrington, DO — Founder & Medical Director
Dr. Derrington is one of the most experienced regenerative orthopedic physicians in Southern California, with over 15 years of experience in the field. He is a Regenexx-certified provider — completing the network’s rigorous credentialing process for image-guided orthobiologic procedures — and leads the largest Regenexx clinic in the region.
He serves as a Faculty Instructor for the Interventional Orthobiologic Foundation (IOF) and OrthoSono, teaching other physicians the diagnostic skills and precision injection techniques he uses with patients every day.
Credentials:
Board Certified: Physical Medicine and RehabilitationFellowship Trained: Interventional Spine, Sports & Regenerative Medicine
15+ years of experience in regenerative medicine and interventional orthobiologics
Regenexx-certified provider — ultrasound & fluoroscopic guided procedures
Owner of the largest Regenexx clinic in Southern California
Faculty Instructor, IOF & OrthoSono
Speaker at many national orthopedic conferences
What this means for you:
You're not a training case. You're being evaluated by a physician who teaches these techniques to other doctors across the country.
Dr. Melanie Worley, DO
Dr. Worley is a dual board-certified physician in emergency medicine and sports medicine, and one of a small number of physicians in the country to have completed fellowship training in orthobiologics at the Centeno-Schultz Clinic— the organization that developed and leads the Regenexx protocol. She also completed a sports medicine fellowship at West Virginia University.
Her research in orthobiologics earned a Top Research Award from the Interventional Orthobiologic Foundation (IOF), and she has presented at The Orthobiologic Institute (TOBI) and the Regenexx Annual Conferences — placing her among the most academically credentialed orthobiologic physicians practicing in Southern California today.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Worley competes at an elite level. She has run the Boston Marathon three times with a sub-3-hour personal record, earned a World Championship title at the Ironman 70.3, and competes in HYROX — one of the most demanding fitness competitions in the world.
Credentials:
- Dual board-certified: Emergency Medicine & Sports Medicine
- Fellowship-trained: Centeno-Schultz Clinic
- Credentialed provider — ultrasound & fluoroscopic guided procedures
- Top Research Award — Interventional Orthobiologic Foundation
- Presenter: TOBI & National Orthobiologic Conferences
- Sports Medicine Fellowship, West Virginia University
What this means for you:
When Dr. Worley evaluates your knee or joint condition, she brings the clinical rigor of a fellowship-trained orthobiologics specialist and the personal understanding of someone who has pushed a body to its physical limits — and knows what it costs to lose that capacity. Her patients don't need to explain why staying active matters. She already knows.
🏃♀️ Boston Marathon × 3 (sub-3hr PR) ⛵ Ironman 70.3 World Champion 💪 HYROX Competitor
What to Expect on Your Candidacy Review
Your Candidacy Review is a short phone conversation with our team to help you decide if an in-office evaluation is appropriate.
Personalized Candidacy ReviewYour Candidacy Review includes:
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01
Questions about your condition, pain level, activity level, and prior treatments
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02
Plain-language explanation of non-surgical treatments we offer
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03
Pricing ranges and what to expect financially
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04
Next steps and scheduling a consultation if appropriate
This call is not a medical diagnosis or treatment. It's an opportunity to learn about our approach, ask questions, and determine if our clinic may be a good fit.
What Happens When You Reach Out — Three Steps to a Diagnosis You Can Act On
Step 1 — Personalized Candidacy Review (10–15 minutes, by phone)
We learn about your symptoms, what you're missing out on, what imaging you've had, and what treatments you've already tried. We explain our non-surgical approach in plain language and give you realistic pricing context. If an in-office evaluation makes sense, we schedule it. If it doesn't — we'll tell you that too.
Step 2 — In-Office Evaluation with Dr. Derrington or Dr. Worley
This is a genuine diagnostic consultation, not a sales call. Your physician takes a full history, performs a comprehensive physical exam, reviews your imaging, and gives you a real diagnosis — in plain language. Most patients tell us this is the most thorough evaluation they've received.
Consultation fee:
The consultation visit may be billed to Medicare or your PPO plan when applicable. Treatment procedures are typically paid out of pocket. If you don't have coverage, the fee is $350 — which includes a complete examination, imaging review, formal diagnosis, and a frank discussion of what options are appropriate for your specific condition. For context, a surgical consultation at a hospital system typically runs $400–$600+, without the same level of diagnostic depth.
Step 3 — A Targeted, Personalized Treatment Plan
If you're a good candidate, your physician builds a plan around your specific diagnosis. This often includes advanced, image-guided injection procedures combined with non-invasive light-based therapies to support recovery. We monitor your progress and adjust as needed — this is ongoing care, not a one-time visit.
Non-Surgical Treatments Designed to Work With Your Body's Own Healing Process
Your exact plan is determined after a thorough evaluation. These are the tools your physician may draw from:
Advanced Injection Therapies
Minimally invasive, image-guided procedures that use your body's own biological components to support repair in damaged nerves, discs, joints, ligaments, and muscles. Every injection is guided by ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy — real-time imaging that ensures accuracy down to the millimeter. This isn't a generic injection. It's a precision-targeted procedure delivered by physicians with over 15 years of interventional experience.
MLS Laser Therapy (Carlsbad Office)
A clinically validated, non-invasive laser therapy that reduces pain and inflammation and supports the body's natural healing response. Sessions are brief, comfortable, and can significantly enhance the results of injection procedures when used in sequence. Available exclusively at our Carlsbad location.
Redvive Red Light Therapy (At-Home)
Clinical-grade, multi-wavelength red and near-infrared light panels for daily home use. Helps reduce muscle & joint inflammation and pain, stimulate cellular energy, speed up recovery, boost skin collagen, strengthen your body and boost your mood.
A note on outcomes:
Treatment effectiveness varies based on your specific condition, severity, and overall health. Not all patients are candidates. That's exactly why we evaluate carefully before recommending anything.
Conditions We Commonly Address — and What the Evaluation Process Looks Like
Our approach is designed for active adults who have been living with knee or joint pain and want a precise diagnosis and a clear set of options — before agreeing to surgery. Conditions we commonly evaluate include:
- Meniscus tears resulting from acute injury or progressive wear
- Knee osteoarthritis and chronic age-related joint degeneration
- ACL, MCL, LCL, and PCL tears and associated joint instability
- Runner's knee (patellofemoral syndrome) and kneecap tracking issues
- Jumper's knee (patellar tendinitis) and chronic tendon irritation
- Knee cap cartilage damage (chondromalacia patella) and structural wear
- Chronic ligament sprains and functional joint instability
- Baker's cysts and persistent joint effusions (fluid on the knee)
- Knee bursitis and localized inflammatory pain
- Persistent pain and restricted function following knee surgery
- Tendon and ligament injuries from sports, overuse, or age-related degeneration
Not sure if your condition qualifies?
Most patients aren't sure. The Personalized Candidacy Review exists exactly for this reason — to give you an honest answer before you commit to anything. If our approach isn't appropriate for your condition, we'll tell you directly and point you toward what is.
What Patients Say After Their Evaluation and Treatment
Patient experiences below reflect individual outcomes. Results vary significantly based on condition, severity, and overall health. Not all patients are candidates for non-surgical treatment. These accounts are not a guarantee of specific outcomes for your condition.
"Baker's Cyst, Cartilage Loss, Chronic Knee Swelling (30 years of running & mountaineering"
"I'd been struggling with persistent swelling and a Baker's cyst on my left knee, the result of cartilage loss from 30 years of running and in more recent years, the demands of mountaineering. A cortisone shot provided only very temporary relief with immediate setbacks if I returned to running, and I wanted to avoid having a series of shots and risking further damage to my knee... By 8 weeks, I had resumed running, and was once again squatting and deadlifting from the floor — without swelling the next day. 12 weeks after treatment, I took an 8-day mountaineering course on Mt Rainier to prepare for climbing Denali... I felt strong, and not once in those 8 days of intense daily activity did I have any knee pain, swelling, or reduced range of motion. The biggest surprise is that even after I felt like I was back to 100%, my left knee has continued to improve, and it now feels like my stronger knee. I'm contemplating having a PRP treatment done on the other knee!"
"Bone-on-Bone Osteoarthritis, Both Knees (20+ years of knee pain)"
"I have been struggling with knee pain for the past 20+ years. Diagnosis was bone on bone and osteo arthritis. Each time I went to the orthopedist I was told I was too young for surgery but they could shoot some cortisone in there and that should do the trick. WRONG! Cortisone just hurt and didn't change anything. My husband heard about PRP on the radio and urged me to get a consultation… I did and I had treatment done on both knees. I hiked the Trans-Catalina trail with my daughter, something I couldn't have done before, and am happy to say goodbye to knee pain and I only wish I knew of this procedure sooner. Life is much better with two, fully functioning, healthy knees — thank you Dr. Derrington."
"Severe Right Knee Degeneration (previously had full left knee replacement)"
"In 2019, I had a full knee replacement on my left leg, a scar of about 7–8 inches long and was on disability for 90 days. Needless to say, even though it gave me relief I just wished I would've known Dr. Derrington then as an alternative to surgery. I've been under his care since the beginning of 2022 treating me for my right knee. He has done stem cell therapy and PRP treatments and has helped me tremendously — thus avoiding another full knee replacement. I was on my feet two days after the procedures. I've been back to taking my dog for walks around the neighborhood, to the parks, and the beach."
*Individual results vary. Testimonials reflect patient experiences and are not a guarantee of specific outcomes. Consult with a physician to determine if treatment is appropriate for your condition.
Common Questions About Our Approach
Does insurance cover knee treatments like this?
Most of our injection therapies are not covered by insurance and are paid out of pocket — this is standard across regenerative orthopedic procedures nationwide. However, your initial in-office consultation can often be billed through Medicare or a PPO plan.
During your Free Candidacy Review, we walk you through typical pricing ranges for knee care so there are no surprises — and we discuss payment options proactively.
How does the cost compare to knee surgery?
A typical knee surgery — fusion, laminectomy, or disc replacement — carries a total cost of $5,000–$50,000+ when you factor in the procedure, anesthesia, hospital stay, and rehabilitation. Recovery often takes 3–6 months, with significant time away from work and daily activity. And for many patients, the surgery doesn’t fully resolve the pain.
If a non-surgical approach is appropriate for your condition, the timeline for returning to activity is typically weeks, not months. We’re not anti-surgery. But we believe you should have the full picture before you commit to it.
How much does a consultation cost?
Consultations are billed through Medicare or your PPO plan when applicable. If you don’t have coverage, our comprehensive in-office knee evaluation is $350.
This includes a full physical examination by Dr. Derrington or Dr. Worley, a thorough review of your MRI and imaging, a formal diagnosis of your specific knee condition, and a direct conversation about which non-surgical options are — and aren’t — appropriate for you. The Free Candidacy Review that precedes the consultation is always at no cost.
How is this different from a cortisone shot or steroid injection?
A cortisone shot is a type of steroid injection. It is designed to reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief, but it does not repair damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, or other knee structures. Our approach is different. We use advanced image-guided orthopedic procedures designed to support your body’s natural repair process. Instead of simply calming inflammation around the knee, Dr. Derrington uses real-time ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic guidance to target the specific structure causing pain.
For patients who have had repeated cortisone injections with less relief over time, this difference matters. The goal is not just short-term symptom control. The goal is to better understand the source of the problem and determine whether a regenerative, non-surgical treatment may help.
My orthopedic surgeon said surgery is my only option. Is that true?
That’s the most common thing we hear from knee patients. Knee surgeons are trained to operate — non-surgical interventional orthobiologic knee care is a completely different specialty with different tools, different training, and a different perspective on what’s possible.
Dr. Derrington and Dr. Worley aren’t anti-surgery. If surgery is genuinely the right call for your knee condition, they’ll tell you that. But they can evaluate whether there’s a non-surgical path first — and for many patients with knee issues, there is one. That evaluation is worth having before you go under the knife.
What should I expect from the Personalized Candidacy Review?
It’s a 10–15 minute phone call about your spine condition specifically. Our team will ask about your symptoms, what you’re missing out on, how long you’ve been dealing with it, what imaging you’ve had, and what treatments you’ve already tried. We explain how our non-surgical spine approach works in plain language and give you an honest read on whether an in-office evaluation makes sense for your specific situation.
No pressure. No pitch. If we’re not the right fit for your spine condition, we’ll tell you — and try to point you in the right direction.
If You're Considering Surgery, Make One Phone Call First.
The Personalized Candidacy Review takes 10–15 minutes. There's no cost, no pressure, and no obligation. Our team will ask about your condition, explain what non-surgical options may exist for your situation, and tell you honestly whether an evaluation with Dr. Derrington or Dr. Worley makes sense.
If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you — and try to point you in the right direction.
Evaluation appointments are limited each week to ensure every patient receives adequate time with the physician. If you're ready to move forward, scheduling sooner avoids a wait.
The Candidacy Review call is always free. If an in-office evaluation is appropriate, the fee is $350.
No pressure, no obligation. We'll explain your options, typical costs, and next steps so you can make an informed decision. Results vary by individual. Our treatments are not suitable for all conditions. A thorough evaluation is required to determine if you are a candidate for non-surgical treatment. Some conditions may require surgical intervention. All treatment plans are personalized based on your specific diagnosis and medical history. Individual results vary. Testimonials reflect patient experiences and are not a guarantee of specific outcomes. Consult with a physician to determine if treatment is appropriate for your condition.
Our Locations
Carlsbad Office
5806 Van Allen Way Suite 101
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Areas We Serve: Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, and nearby communities.
Laguna Hills Office
25411 Cabot Rd Ste 116
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Areas We Serve: Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Irvine, and South Orange County.