# Stem Cell Therapy Source: https://jointregeneration.com/stem-cell-therapy/ Last updated: 2026-11-14 Learn how regenerative stem cell therapy for knee and joint pain works, who may qualify and what to expect. Claim a $0 New Patient Knee Consultation. Stem cell therapy is one of the most talked about areas of regenerative medicine, and one of the most confusing. At Joint Regeneration our providers explain it in plain language, tell you honestly what is known and what is not, and help you decide whether it belongs in your plan. We have spent 10 years building regenerative joint care around one idea: look for the source of the pain instead of only masking it. Your first step is a $0 New Patient Knee Consultation. ## A decade of regenerative care behind every recommendation Joint Regeneration is not a newcomer to regenerative medicine. For 10 years our team has built its work around nonsurgical care for knee pain, osteoarthritis and joint pain, and thousands of patients have come to us looking for an option that does not start with surgery. Today we care for patients at clinics across Georgia and Florida, and our community pages reach towns within about 50 miles of our clinics. That experience shows up in the exam room. Our clinical lead, James McGraw, PA, brings more than 27 years across rheumatology, orthopedic surgery, trauma, sports medicine and integrative care. He holds a Doctor of Medical Science degree and has held leadership roles in the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Our providers use ultrasound guided and fluoroscope guided injections, so treatments are placed where they are meant to go instead of guessed at. - 10 years of experience building care around regenerative joint treatment - More than 27 years of clinical experience in our lead provider - Three clinics and 62 community pages across Georgia and Florida - Thousands of patients with knee and joint pain have turned to our team - Image guided injections using ultrasound and fluoroscopy - A $0 New Patient Knee Consultation at every location ## What stem cells are, in plain language Stem cells are the body's raw material cells. They can develop into other kinds of cells, and they release signals that influence inflammation and tissue repair. Because joints heal slowly, researchers and clinicians have been studying whether adding cell based preparations to an injured or worn joint can support the body's own repair process. The key word is support. Stem cell therapy does not rebuild a joint overnight and it is not a guaranteed cure. For some people it may be one tool among several, and for others a different option fits better. Your provider reviews your history, your exam and your imaging, then explains which options, if any, make sense for you. ## How a stem cell visit works Every plan starts with a conversation, not a procedure. Here is the path most patients follow. - Start with a $0 New Patient Knee Consultation. A provider reviews your history, symptoms and any imaging, and examines the joint. - Talk through your options. If a cell based therapy may fit, your provider explains where the cells come from, how they are prepared and what is known about results. - Plan the treatment. We confirm the target, go over risks and costs, and answer every question before anything is scheduled. - Placement with image guidance. Injections are guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy so they reach the intended spot. - Aftercare and follow up. We tell you what to expect afterward, including any activity limits for the option you choose, and we adjust the plan as your joint responds. ## Conditions people ask us about A condition appearing on this list does not mean stem cell therapy is right for it. It means our providers can evaluate it and tell you honestly. - Knee osteoarthritis and bone on bone knee pain - Hip, shoulder, elbow and ankle joint pain - Tendon, ligament and cartilage injuries from sports or overuse - Chronic joint stiffness and swelling - Pain that has not improved with medication, rest or past injections - People who were told surgery is the only choice and want to explore other paths first ## Is stem cell therapy right for you? Good candidates are usually people with ongoing joint pain who want to explore nonsurgical care and who understand that results vary. Your provider also looks for reasons to hold off. An active infection, certain blood disorders or blood thinning medicines, cancer treatment and pregnancy can make an injection unsafe, so we ask about all of them. If a different option fits you better, such as platelet rich plasma (PRP), our hyaluronic acid based Nonsurgical Knee Pain Protocol, or surgery, we say so. We would rather earn your trust than sell you the wrong treatment. ## Straight talk about the science and the rules Stem cell therapy is a developing field. Research is ongoing, and the evidence is still growing for many joint conditions. Most cell based products used for joint problems are not approved by the FDA for treating osteoarthritis, and the FDA regulates how cell and tissue products may be made and marketed. Because of that, we ask you to be cautious with any clinic that promises a cure or guaranteed results. At Joint Regeneration your provider tells you what a product is, where it comes from, what its regulatory status is and what is and is not known about it. Results vary from person to person, and nothing on this page is a promise of a particular outcome. - Where do the cells come from, and how are they prepared? - What is the regulatory status of this product for my condition? - What does the evidence show, and what is still unknown? - What are the risks, and what happens if it does not help? - What will it cost, and what is not covered by insurance? ## How it fits with the rest of your care Cell based therapy is rarely the only piece of a plan. Our providers often discuss it alongside other tools, and you can combine them when it makes sense for your joint. - Platelet rich plasma (PRP), which uses growth factors from your own blood - The hyaluronic acid based Nonsurgical Knee Pain Protocol for lubrication and cushioning - Red light therapy to support comfort and circulation - Provider supervised weight loss to take load off painful knees and hips - Knee bracing and guided injections where they help - Physical therapy and activity guidance ## What it costs and what insurance covers Coverage varies by plan and by treatment, and many regenerative therapies are not covered by insurance. We explain the cost of any option and your payment choices before you decide on anything, and we verify your benefits at your first visit. ## Why patients choose Joint Regeneration - A team that has been doing regenerative joint care for 10 years - A clinical lead with more than 27 years of experience and national professional leadership - Imaging guidance, not guesswork - Honest answers, including when another option, or surgery, is the better path - Convenient clinics in Georgia and Florida with a $0 first visit - Patients who describe the team as caring, knowledgeable and easy to talk to ## Frequently asked questions ### What is stem cell therapy for joint pain? It is a regenerative approach that places cell based preparations in or near a painful joint to support the body's own repair and to influence inflammation. It is an evolving field, and your provider explains how it applies to your condition. ### Is stem cell therapy FDA approved? Most cell based products used for joint conditions are not FDA approved for treating osteoarthritis. The FDA regulates cell and tissue products, and your provider explains the status of any product we discuss before you decide. ### Where do the cells come from? Depending on the option, cells can come from your own body or from donated tissue. Your provider explains the source, how it is prepared and what is known about it for your situation. ### Will it work for me? Results vary from person to person, and some people do not benefit. We do not guarantee outcomes. At your consultation your provider explains realistic goals, such as reducing pain and improving movement. ### Does it hurt, and is there downtime? Comfort measures such as numbing medicine are available. Recovery depends on the option and the joint, and your provider gives you specific instructions about activity afterward. ### How long until I notice a difference? Healing is gradual. Some people notice changes over weeks and others over a few months, and some do not notice a change. Your provider explains what to expect for your joint. ### How is stem cell therapy different from PRP? PRP uses the platelets and growth factors from your own blood. Stem cell therapies use cells. They can be used for similar goals, and the right choice depends on your condition, your exam and your goals. Your provider explains the differences and the evidence for each. ### How much does it cost, and is it covered by insurance? Coverage varies by plan and by treatment, and many regenerative therapies are not covered. We explain the cost and your payment options before you decide, and we verify your benefits at your first visit. ### How do I get started? Request a $0 New Patient Knee Consultation online or call your nearest clinic. A member of our team will call to confirm your visit. The cell therapy options available can vary by clinic, so we confirm what your clinic offers when we call. Offer: $0 New Patient Knee Consultation for new patients at every location.