Cartistem Knee Injections cost between $25,000 – $35,000 (USD) & only approved regenerative medicine clinics in South Korea can currently offer it.
Typically, only major hospitals provide it because of the costs associated with Cartistem. Clinics themselves will only offer autologous stem cell treatments (treatments using your own cells.)
We’re working with a few approved Hospitals in South Korea who offer Cartistem Knee Injections, reach out to us here if you want to learn more.
What is Cartistem?
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.
Approval
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.
Composition
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.
Dosage
On average, each Cartistem treatment, patients receive between 7.5 and 10 million 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.
Availability
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.
Adoption
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.
Global Trials
It’s now in the final phases for approval in the US & Japan too. To read more about regulations in South Korea, check out our guide to Stem Cell Treatments in South Korea.
What do the studies say about Cartistem?
Does Cartistem have FDA Approval in the US?
No, right now Cartistem does not have FDA approval in the US, so you can’t get access to it through commercial routes.
- However, in February 2026, they did receive FDA approval to start recruiting for their Phase III trial across multiple sites in the US.
- They’re recruiting 300 patients to prove the treatment works well enough to get FDA Approval.
- You can read more about the study on their Clinical Trials Page.
How is Cartistem different from current Stem Cell Treatments in the US as of 2026?
Cartistem uses isolated, lab-expanded mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue, while most US treatments use minimally manipulated cells that are not expanded or standardized.
So with Cartistem, you’re getting isolated, lab-grown mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue that are standardized and tested. Commercial clinics in the US can’t currently offer these treatments.01
Lab-grown cells vs same-day processing
Cartistem uses real, living mesenchymal stem cells that are grown in a lab, so you get a consistent and reliable dose. Most US treatments are prepared the same day without growing the cells, so the number of active stem cells is often much lower and less predictable.
02
Known dose vs unclear dose
Cartistem delivers a defined number of cells (~2.5 million per cm²) directly into the damaged cartilage. Most US treatments don’t clearly define how many active stem cells you’re getting.
03
Placed exactly where the damage is vs injected into the joint
Cartistem is put directly into the damaged cartilage and stays there to help repair it. Most US treatments are injected into the joint, where the cells spread out and mainly help reduce inflammation rather than fix the damage.
04
Clinical-grade evidence vs limited data
Cartistem has large clinical trials with long-term follow-up, while many US treatments rely on smaller or less controlled studies.
Where can I get Cartistem Stem Cell Injections?
Right now, you can only get them in approved hospitals in South Korea, or in the clinical trials happening across the US.
Are Cartistem Injections Safe?
Yes, based on current research, Cartistem appears to be safe, with studies reporting no major complications or immune rejection.
01
Strong safety record in studies
Across multiple trials, including a 5-year study, there were no major safety issues and very few serious side effects reported.
02
No rejection despite donor cells
Even though the cells come from a donor, studies found no immune reactions or rejection, which is a key concern with this type of treatment.
03
Still limited long-term global data
Most data comes from South Korea and while results up to 5 years look good, we don’t yet have longer-term or large-scale global safety data.
Alt Treatment is a free, independent platform that helps you understand stem cell therapy & decide if it’s right for you.
We break down complex information into clear, honest guidance. When you’re ready, we can connect you with verified clinics that meet your needs, in the right location, and often with exclusive discounts.
There’s no charge to use our platform. No hidden fees. No pressure. Our main aim is to genuinely help you figure out if treatment is right & the best places to consider.
If you want to talk, fill out our form here & our personal concierge team will reach out.
– Colombia: $5,000 to $7,500 per Knee
– US: $800 to $10,000 per Knee
– Japan: $6,900 to $9,500 per Knee
– Thailand: $3,250 to $9,300 per Knee
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