Knee Pain in Murfreesboro, TN
Non-surgical relief for knee pain that may be coming from your spine — not your knee. Evaluated by specialists who treat the root cause, not just the symptom.
Chronic knee pain is sometimes caused by nerve compression in the spine rather than a problem in the knee itself, which is why it often doesn't respond to typical knee treatments. The Disc Doctor in Murfreesboro, TN evaluates the full nerve pathway to find the true source of knee pain and treats it non-surgically at its root.
What Is Nerve-Related Knee Pain?
The nerves that control sensation, strength, and stability in your knee originate in the lumbar spine — specifically at the L3, L4, and L5 nerve roots. When spinal discs at these levels become herniated, bulged, or degenerated, they can compress these nerve roots and produce pain, weakness, or instability that is felt in the knee — even though the knee itself is structurally sound.
This is one of the most commonly overlooked causes of chronic knee pain. Patients receive cortisone injections, physical therapy, and even knee surgery without improvement — because the source was never identified correctly.
At The Disc Doctor, every knee pain evaluation begins with a thorough spinal and neurological assessment. We determine whether the knee is the source or the symptom — and treat accordingly.
Symptoms of Nerve-Related Knee Pain
Knee pain with a spinal origin can mimic other knee conditions closely. These symptoms — especially when accompanied by lower back pain — suggest nerve involvement worth evaluating.
- Knee pain with no clear injury or trauma
- Pain that keeps returning after rest, injections, or therapy
- Aching or burning sensation in the knee or surrounding area
- Weakness in the leg — difficulty climbing stairs or standing from a chair
- Tingling or numbness traveling from the lower back into the leg or knee
- Knee instability or giving way when walking
- Pain that worsens when sitting for long periods
- Knee pain that occurs alongside lower back pain or stiffness
If you are experiencing radiating pain, tingling, or weakness that travels from your lower back into your knee or leg — a spinal evaluation is the essential first step before any knee procedure.
Common Causes of Knee Pain We Evaluate
Lumbar Disc Herniation
A herniated disc at L3–L4 or L4–L5 can compress the femoral or obturator nerve, sending pain, weakness, or tingling directly into the knee and thigh.
Degenerative Disc Disease
As lumbar discs lose height over time, nerve root space narrows. Chronic low-level compression at these levels can cause persistent knee symptoms without obvious lower back pain.
Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal can compress multiple nerve roots simultaneously, producing bilateral knee weakness, aching, or instability — especially with prolonged walking or standing.
Facet Joint Dysfunction
Inflamed or restricted lumbar facet joints can refer pain along nerve pathways into the hip, thigh, and knee — a pattern often mistaken for knee arthritis.
Piriformis Syndrome
Tightening of the piriformis muscle around the sciatic nerve in the buttock can produce radiating pain that travels through the back of the thigh and into the knee.
Structural Knee Conditions
Osteoarthritis, ligament strain, or meniscus damage may also be present. Our evaluation determines whether spinal, structural, or both factors are contributing to your symptoms.
How The Disc Doctor Treats Knee Pain
We treat the source — not just the symptom. If your knee pain originates from spinal nerve compression, treating the spine is the only way to achieve lasting relief.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
The KDT Neutral Flex decompression system gently reduces intradiscal pressure at the lumbar levels compressing the nerve roots that feed your knee. By restoring proper disc height and relieving nerve irritation, many patients experience significant reduction in knee symptoms without any surgical intervention.
Learn more →Chiropractic Adjustments
Targeted spinal adjustments restore proper segmental motion and alignment in the lumbar spine — reducing the chronic mechanical stress on the discs and facet joints irritating your knee-related nerve roots.
Learn more →StemWave™ Therapy
For knee pain with a structural soft-tissue component, StemWave™ extracorporeal pulse therapy accelerates tissue repair and reduces inflammation in the knee joint and surrounding structures.
Learn more →ActivPro LaserStim Therapy
The ActivPro LaserStim device delivers targeted photobiomodulation to reduce inflammation along the nerve pathway and within the knee joint — supporting faster recovery and pain relief without drugs or injections.
Learn more →Your First Visit at The Disc Doctor
Medical History & Symptom Review
Dr. Jacobs reviews your knee symptoms, lower back history, prior treatments, and any imaging you have available.
Spinal & Neurological Assessment
Orthopedic and neurological testing determines whether the L3, L4, or L5 nerve roots are involved — and to what degree they are contributing to your knee symptoms.
Imaging Review (if available)
Existing MRI or X-ray of the lumbar spine or knee is reviewed and correlated with your clinical findings.
Treatment Plan & Next Steps
You receive a clear, honest assessment of whether spinal decompression or conservative care is appropriate — with no pressure and no guesswork.
We do not begin treatment at the first visit. We evaluate first — and we will tell you honestly whether our approach is right for your case or whether a different path makes more sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can spinal problems really cause knee pain?
Yes — and it is more common than most patients are told. The nerves that supply sensation and motor control to the knee originate at the L3, L4, and L5 levels of the lumbar spine. When disc herniation, stenosis, or facet dysfunction compresses these nerve roots, the pain is felt in the knee even though the knee itself may be structurally normal.
How do I know if my knee pain is coming from my spine?
Several clues suggest spinal involvement: knee pain that accompanies lower back pain, tingling or numbness in the leg, weakness that is not explained by a knee injury, pain that does not respond to knee-focused treatment, and pain that worsens when sitting or with lumbar flexion. A clinical evaluation at The Disc Doctor is the most accurate way to determine the source.
What if I've already had knee treatment and it didn't work?
That history is actually important diagnostic information. If knee-focused treatment — injections, physical therapy, or surgery — did not produce lasting relief, spinal nerve compression should be evaluated as a contributing or primary cause. Many patients who come to us have already been through the knee treatment pathway without resolution.
Is spinal decompression safe for knee pain caused by the spine?
Yes. The KDT Neutral Flex decompression system targets the lumbar disc levels compressing your knee-related nerves. It is non-surgical, non-invasive, and does not require anesthesia. Prior to beginning any treatment, Dr. Jacobs conducts a thorough evaluation to confirm candidacy and rule out contraindications.
Do I need an MRI before my first visit?
No. We can conduct a full clinical evaluation without prior imaging. If you have existing MRI or X-ray results, bring them — they will be reviewed as part of your assessment. If imaging is indicated after your evaluation, Dr. Jacobs will advise accordingly.
Where is The Disc Doctor located?
We are located at 272 Heritage Park Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Call us at (615) 617-5550. Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am–1pm & 3–6pm · Tuesday 3–6pm · Friday 10am–1pm.
Find Out If Your Knee Pain Is Coming From Your Spine — Murfreesboro, TN
If you have been living with knee pain that has not responded to injections, physical therapy, or rest — and you have not had a thorough spinal evaluation — The Disc Doctor is the right next step.
Dr. Matthew T. Jacobs, DC and Dr. Krysten A. Jacobs, DC evaluate each patient individually before recommending any course of treatment. You will leave your first visit with a clear answer, not a guess.