What Is the Success Rate of Stem Cell Therapy for Knees? From recent trials, roughly 60-80% of patients see results from Stem Cell Treatment. For Cartistem treatment, 97.7% of treated patients showed visible improvement in cartilage in a study following patients for 5 years. While results may vary based on the type of treatment and the specific condition being treated, the overall success rate is encouraging, particularly for those suffering from osteoarthritis and similar issues.
Knee Conditions Stem Cell Therapy Can Treat
Stem cell therapy is primarily used to treat degenerative conditions affecting the knee, such as:
Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) Stem Cell treatments:
By far the most common use, stem cell therapy can help reduce pain and improve mobility by regenerating damaged cartilage in the knee joint.
Stem Cell therapy for Knee Meniscal Tears:
Stem cells can aid in repairing torn menisci, which are the cartilage pads that cushion the knee joint.
Stem Cells for Knee Ligament Injuries:
Some studies suggest stem cells may help heal damaged ligaments, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Stem Cells for Cartilage Damage in the Knee:
For individuals with cartilage degeneration due to injury or wear and tear, stem cell therapy can offer a solution for regenerating this tissue.
Stem Cells for Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee):
One clinical study showed that stem cell therapy significantly improved tendon healing & eliminated pain. It also restored strength in patients with chronic patellar tendonitis that hadn’t responded to rehab.
How Do Stem Cells Help with Knee Pain?
If you look at actual recent data, stem cells help with knee pain by reducing inflammation and supporting the body’s natural healing process, rather than differentiating into cartilage cells.
Arthritis and knee injuries often break down the cartilage that cushions your joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Traditional treatments, like painkillers, physical therapy, or steroid shots mainly manage symptoms. Stem cell therapy offers a different approach by improving the joint environment.
Here’s how stem cells make a difference:
- Reduce Inflammation: Stem cells release healing signals that calm inflammation, easing pain and swelling.
- Support Tissue Stability: While they don’t regrow cartilage directly, stem cells may help slow down further joint damage.
- Improve Joint Function: Patients often report better movement, less stiffness, and improved daily function after treatment.
- Enhance Recovery Signals: These cells create a regenerative environment that may help the body repair itself more effectively over time.
- Differentiating into Cartilage Cells: In theory, stem cells can turn into cartilage cells, but real-world studies show little evidence that this actually happens after injections.
If you’re curios about how Stem Cells can treat other conditions, check out our article on What conditions Can Stem Cell Therapy treat.
What does the Stem Cell treatment for process for knees look like?
Stem Cell Therapy for knees might sound high-tech, but the process is surprisingly simple. Here’s what happens:
- Stem Cell Collection:
- If the stem cells are coming from your own body, they’re taken from either your bone marrow (usually from your hip) or fat tissue through a quick, minimally invasive procedure.
- If donor cells are used, typically from umbilical cord tissue, they’re sourced from a certified lab, ready to go.
- Processing the Stem Cells:
Once collected, the stem cells are processed in a lab to isolate and concentrate them. This step ensures you’re getting the best quality cells to do the job. - Precise Injection:
Using ultrasound or similar imaging tools, the doctor injects the stem cells directly into the damaged part of your knee. This ensures they’re delivered exactly where they’re needed. - Recovery and Aftercare:
After the procedure, you’ll likely need to take it easy for a few days. Light activity and possibly some physical therapy can help you get the most out of the treatment.
This quick and minimally invasive process activates your body’s natural healing powers, reducing pain, improving joint function, and potentially repairing cartilage. All without the need for major surgery or a long recovery period.
Best Stem Cell Therapy clinics for Knee Pain
We don’t let any clinic just sign up or pay to be listed.
We speak to every clinic directly and review their medical team, the treatments they offer, how their stem cells are sourced and how they follow up with patients after treatment.
We also review licensing documents to confirm they meet the legal and medical standards of the country they operate in. For example, whether cells are processed in a GMP-certified facility or if they provide documentation on stem cell quality.
Clinics must also agree to let us collect and publish independent patient reviews. Both positive and negative.
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Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in the UK for Knee Pain
Regenesis is a leading UK specialist in Stem Cell Therapy for musculoskeletal & sports injuries. Their team includes some of the UK’s leading orthopedic and pain medicine experts. They’ve got decades of experience in sports medicine and regenerative therapies.
View Full ProfileTop Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Japan & South Korea for Knee Pain
We’re working with a number of approved clinics in Japan & South Korea for Knee Pain. We’re in the process of designing profile pages, but fill out our form to learn more about them.
Discuss Japanese or Korean ClinicsTop Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Colombia for Knee Pain
Alevy specializes in stem cell and exosome therapy, using umbilical cord-derived MSCs to treat a wide variety of conditions, from Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis to Osteoarthritis & Orthopaedic injuries. Their medical team brings over 15 years of experience in pain management, tissue regeneration, and immune system modulation. With three world-class clinics in Medellín, Bogotá, and Pereira, you have options on where you want treatment!
View Full Profile
Kyron Stem Cells is a Stem Cell Therapy clinic that focuses on a variety of treatments, including joint pain, chronic fatigue, autoimmune issues, and overall wellness. The clinic is led by Dr. Carlos Rojas, who has been working with stem cells since 1991 and has over a decade of experience in functional and hormone-based medicine. He is known for creating treatment plans that are genuinely personalized, based on each patient’s biology and lab results.
View Full ProfileTop Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Dubai for Knee Pain
Excellency Center is a specialized clinic focused on orthopaedic and sports medicine, helping people recover from pain, injuries, and movement issues that affect their everyday life. They offer both autologous stem cells (from your own body) and allogenic stem cells (donor-based), depending on what’s best for your condition. All treatments come with full certifications of quality and safety.
View Full ProfileSuccess Rate of Stem Cell Therapy for Knees
Stem cell therapy for knees has a success rate of around 60–80% for reducing pain and improving function, based on 12 clinical studies and reviews. While most patients see relief, cartilage regrowth is inconsistent and results can vary by treatment type and quality.
However, Cartistem’s success rate for cartilage healing is close to 98%, with long-term pain relief and mobility improvements lasting up to 5 years according to one study. It consistently outperforms standard treatments and works across diverse patient types with minimal side effects. Our section on Cartistem Research breaks down all the latest research related to Cartistem.
Although stem cell therapy is still considered somewhat experimental, the success rate for treating knee conditions, particularly osteoarthritis, shows promise. Here are some of the findings:
- Osteoarthritis: Studies have shown that about 60-80% of patients with knee osteoarthritis report significant pain relief and improved mobility following stem cell therapy. In a South Korean trial, patients who received adipose-derived stem cell injections showed significantly less pain and better knee function after six months.
- Meniscal Tears and Cartilage Repair: Early research shows stem cell therapy might help with meniscal tears and slow down cartilage damage. Results can vary depending on how bad the injury is, and while many patients feel better, true cartilage regrowth hasn’t been consistently proven yet.
- MEDIPOST has completed Phase 3 treatment administration in Japan for CARTISTEM®. An allogeneic stem cell therapy derived from umbilical cord blood to treat moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis and is now gearing up to launch a Phase 3 trial in the U.S. with an upcoming IND submission. The results from this were super exciting, you can read more on it here.
While Stem Cell Therapy for knees is not a guaranteed fix, it does offer a less invasive alternative to surgery. With some patients even delaying or avoiding knee replacement surgeries as a result of the treatment. To look at some recent studies in this area, check out this article.
Cartistem: What is it & what’s the price?
Cartistem is a stem cell product developed by South Korea’s Medipost & it’s the world’s first approved stem cell therapy using umbilical cord-derived stem cells to treat knee cartilage damage. It costs between $25,000 – $35,000 & only approved facilities can offer it. We’re working with a few approved hospitals in South Korea, reach out to us here if you want to learn more.
Approved by South Korea’s regulatory body in 2012, Cartistem is not something patients buy over the counter. Instead, it’s a prescription only treatment that licensed hospitals purchase and administer as part of a surgical procedure.
The product combines donor derived mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood with hyaluronic acid, which helps anchor the cells in place inside the joint.
Each Cartistem injection contains about 2.5 million stem cells. The exact amount used varies based on how much cartilage is damaged, with the dose carefully adjusted to match the size of the affected area.
Unlike other stem cell treatments like PRP or BMAC that require extracting and processing the patient’s own cells. Cartistem arrives ready-to-use and doesn’t require any cell harvesting, making the process more standardized and accessible.
It’s been gaining tons of popularity in Korea. In 2024 in one of their articles, KoreaBiomed reported over 30,000 people had now been treated with CartiStem.
It’s now in the final phases for approval in the US & Japan too. We’ve got more data on the actual research & other’s on our article breaking down studies on Stem Cells treating knee pain.
How much does Stem Cell Therapy for Knee’s Cost?
Stem Cell treatment costs for your knee pain (regarding conditions like osteoarthritis, tendonitis etc) vary between $3,500 to $15,000 per knee. We’ve gathered our pricing data in a few different ways & we’re always updating it! Here’s more of a breakdown by country:
- Colombia: $5,000 per knee (View Colombia Country & Cost Guide)
- Mexico: $3,500 – $5,000 per knee
- US: $7,000 – $10,000 per knee. This is mainly for autologous stem cells which haven’t been cultured or grown. Unless you’re in Florida or Utah! (View full USA Country & Cost Guide)
- Japan: $9,000 – $15,000 per knee. (View Full Japan Country & Cost Guide)
- South Korea: $8,000 – $12,000 per knee. (View Full South Korea Country & Cost Guide)
- UK: £8,000 – £15,000 per knee. (View Full UK Country & Cost Guide)
Knee pain can really slow you down. We’re not here to hype miracle cures. Our goal is to help you decide for yourself if its worth exploring and show you trusted clinics when your ready.
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Limitations and Risks of getting Stem Cells for your Knees
Though the results are encouraging, there are some caveats:
- Cost and Accessibility: Stem cell therapy can be expensive, and it’s not always covered by insurance. Making it less accessible to some patients.
- Limited Long-Term Data: While short-term success is promising, long-term effects of stem cell therapy for knees are not yet fully understood. Most studies follow patients for only a few years post-treatment, leaving some uncertainty about how long the benefits last.
- Varied Outcomes: Success rates can vary significantly based on factors like the patient’s age, severity of the condition, and overall health. Not everyone experiences the same degree of pain relief or cartilage regeneration.
- Immune Response: If donor cells are used, there’s a slight chance your immune system could see them as “foreign” and react.
- Infection: Since the procedure involves injections, there’s always a small risk of infection. Reputable clinics take strict precautions to minimize this.
- Pain or Swelling: After the injection, some patients experience mild pain, swelling, or stiffness in the treated area. This usually fades within a few days.
- Cartilage Regeneration Challenges: While Stem Cells have the potential to turn into cartilage cells, this hasn’t been backed up by recent data.
Is Stem Cell Therapy better than a knee replacement?
It really depends on where you are with your knee health and what you’re looking for. Stem cell therapy and knee replacement tackle the problem in completely different ways, so it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer.
Stem Cell Therapy: This is a less invasive option that focuses on reducing pain, improving how your knee works, and maybe even helping to regenerate cartilage. It’s great for people with mild to moderate knee arthritis or those hoping to avoid surgery for as long as possible. Recovery time is a day, if that. But it doesn’t guarantee the kind of structural repair a knee replacement offers.
Knee Replacement: This is the go-to option for people with severe arthritis. It’s a major surgery that replaces the damaged joint with an artificial one. The recovery time is longer, it’s much more invasive but it’s proven to relieve pain and get you moving again. If your knee is in really bad shape and other treatments like Stem Cell Therapy aren’t helping anymore, this might be the better choice.
Want to browse trusted knee pain clinics?
We’ve personally vetted stem cell clinics across Colombia, South Korea, Dubai and more so you don’t waste time chasing sketchy options. We’ve also built a continuous vetting process too.
Browse Verified Stem Cell ClinicsStem Cell Therapy vs. Other Knee Treatments
| Treatment Type | Cost | Effectiveness | Longevity | Risks |
| Stem Cell Therapy | $3,000–$20,000 | 60–70% of patients report pain relief and improved mobility. | 1–5 years (varies by patient and severity). | Minimal, though outcomes can vary; rare risks include infection or immune rejection with donor cells. |
| Cortisone Injections | $100–$500 per session | Effective for short-term pain relief but does not repair damage. | Weeks to month | Repeated use may weaken cartilage or cause joint damage over time. |
| PRP Therapy | $500–$2,500 | Shows moderate success in reducing pain and inflammation. | 6 months to 1 year. | Minimal; some swelling or discomfort at the injection site.s; not a long-term solution. |
| Hyaluronic Acid | $300–$1,000 per session | Provides lubrication to the joint, reducing friction and pain. | 6 months to 1 year. | Rare side effects include mild swelling or stiffness after injection. |
Stem Cell Therapy for Knees in the US
When it comes to Stem Cell Therapy, the US has strict regulations. While these ensure safety and quality, they also create some hurdles. For example, the US limits the number of stem cells that can be cultured and used in treatments, which means you won’t find the same high doses available in other countries like Japan or Colombia. That’s worth keeping in mind if you’re looking for a treatment that offers higher cell volumes.
Stem Cell Knee Treatments in the US typically range from $7,000 to $20,000, depending on the procedure
Are Knee Stem Cell Treatments Safe?
Yes, stem cell knee treatments are proven to be safe in the short to medium term, with no serious side effects reported in clinical trials & real word studies involving over 2,000 patients. Most side effects were mild and temporary, like joint swelling or stiffness.
But we don’t have enough data to know the safety rates after 10 years.
So, What is the Success Rate of Stem Cell Therapy for Knees & is it worth it?
Stem cell therapy for knee pain, especially osteoarthritis, can be worth considering for some patients, particularly when other treatments haven’t worked. Clinical trials and real-world data show that around 60–80% of patients experience meaningful pain relief and improved mobility after treatment. But Cartistem results have been much more positive.
However, it’s not a guaranteed solution. Most of the benefits come from reducing inflammation and supporting joint repair, not from fully regrowing cartilage. Success rates for Stem Cell Knee treatments vary based on the type of stem cells used, the severity of the knee damage, and how the therapy is delivered.
While stem cell therapy is still considered experimental in many countries, South Korea has already approved umbilical cord-derived stem cell treatments like CARTISTEM®, and Japan is in Phase 3 trials. With global research accelerating, stem cell therapy is moving closer to mainstream care, especially in Asia.
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Benefits often last 1–5 years, but this can vary. Some patients need repeat treatments for sustained relief.
Yes, Stem Cell injections can work for many people with knee pain. Stem Cell injections reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve joint function by promoting the body’s natural healing process. However, results can vary depending on factors like the severity of your condition, the type of stem cells used, and the clinic’s expertise. But it’s not always a guaranteed fix.
Stem cell therapy is not a guaranteed way to regrow knee cartilage, but it may help slow down damage and improve joint health. While mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can become cartilage cells in theory, real-world studies show they mainly work by sending out healing signals that reduce inflammation and support your body’s natural repair process. Some patients may see small areas of cartilage improvement on MRI, but full regeneration is still rare and unpredictable..
Most insurance providers do not cover stem cell therapy for knees because they still consider it experimental.
No. Stem cell treatment for knees is not available on the NHS. UNLESS it’s as part of clinical trials, most patients need to seek private clinics for this therapy in the UK.
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