An investigational, non-surgical option some adults explore for knee osteoarthritis, meniscus and ligament problems, or before deciding on a knee replacement. A physician decides whether it is appropriate after reviewing your history and imaging. Not FDA-approved; results vary.
An injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the knee, with exosomes in the Restore and Renew packages. It is not surgery.
Adults with knee osteoarthritis, meniscus or ligament problems, or who want to understand options before knee replacement.
Three packages from $3,744 to $12,444 USD, including hotel and ground transport.
Usually one night. You fly into San Diego; the clinic is in Tijuana.
Investigational and not FDA-approved. Offered at a COFEPRIS-licensed clinic in Mexico.
A physician, after reviewing your history and imaging. Not everyone qualifies.
Patients usually come to us after rest, exercise, physical therapy, medication, or injections have not helped as much as they hoped. Our physicians most often evaluate four situations:
Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, with pain, stiffness, or swelling that limits walking, stairs, or exercise. Most of the published research on stem cell injections for the knee has been done in osteoarthritis.
Wear of the meniscus, the cartilage cushion inside the knee, or some meniscus tears where surgery is not clearly the best choice. Research in this area is earlier and smaller than for osteoarthritis, so expectations should be modest.
Partial ligament sprains or long-standing ligament strain around the knee. A complete ligament tear that leaves the knee unstable, such as a fully torn ACL, is generally a question for an orthopedic surgeon, and an injection is not a substitute for reconstruction.
Adults who have been told a knee replacement may be in their future and want to understand non-surgical options first. Stem cell therapy may not change whether you eventually need surgery. See our guide to alternatives to knee replacement.
When it may not be appropriate. Our physicians may advise against treatment for advanced joint collapse or bone-on-bone arthritis that needs surgery, severe instability of the knee, an active infection in or around the knee, or certain uncontrolled medical conditions. A medical evaluation is always required first.
It is an injection, not surgery. A physician injects a preparation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the knee joint, usually during a single clinic visit. In the Restore and Renew packages, the preparation also includes exosomes, the tiny signaling particles that cells release.
What researchers think it does. MSCs are thought to act mainly by releasing signals that may help calm inflammation and support the joint’s own repair processes, rather than by turning into new cartilage. Whether injected cells rebuild cartilage in people has not been shown.
What studies measure. Clinical trials mostly measure pain and everyday function, often at 6 and 12 months. Some patients report less pain and easier movement, while others notice little change. Results vary and are not guaranteed.
Where the cells come from. Your physician will explain the source of the cells in your preparation and how they were screened and tested, and you can ask to see that documentation before treatment. For background, read what stem cells are and how exosomes are studied.
Stem cell therapy is one option among several. This is a general overview, not medical advice; your physician can explain which options fit your knee.
| Option | What it involves | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise & physical therapy | Strengthening, weight management, and movement work, often guided by a physical therapist. | Commonly recommended as a first step for knee osteoarthritis. It takes time and consistency. |
| Cortisone injection | An anti-inflammatory steroid injected into the knee. | May ease pain for a period of time. How often it can be repeated is a question for your doctor. |
| Hyaluronic acid or PRP | A lubricating gel, or platelet-rich plasma made from your own blood, injected into the knee. | Widely offered, with mixed research results. Often not covered by insurance. |
| Stem cell therapy (MSCs) | Mesenchymal stem cells, with or without exosomes, injected into the knee in a single visit. | Investigational and not FDA-approved. Studied mainly for pain and function; cartilage regrowth has not been shown. |
| Knee replacement | Surgery that replaces the worn joint surfaces with an implant. | An established surgery for advanced arthritis, with a longer recovery and rehabilitation period. |
Overview for education only. Results of every option vary from person to person.
Three published packages, priced as ranges in U.S. dollars. Every package includes premium hotel accommodation and airport and border transportation; you book your own flight to San Diego.
A focused starting protocol
25M–75M MSC$3,744–$5,544
Our recommended protocol
100M–125M MSC + exosomes$6,444–$7,544
Our most comprehensive protocol
150M–300M MSC + exosomes$8,444–$12,444
Prices are in U.S. dollars. Your final price depends on your physician’s evaluation, including the cell dose and the number of areas treated. Results vary from person to person, and no specific outcome is guaranteed. Stem cell and exosome therapies are investigational and not FDA-approved. MSC means mesenchymal stem cells; M means million cells.
Compare U.S. and Mexico costs and what drives price
Not sure whether this applies to your knee? Candidacy is determined by medical review of your history and imaging, not by a form. The consultation is complimentary.
See If You QualifyYou fly into San Diego and the clinic is in Tijuana, just across the border. Most patients stay one night.
Share your history and any recent X-ray or MRI. A physician reviews your case and, if you may be a candidate, you receive a personalized plan and price.
You book your own flight to San Diego. Bring a valid passport or passport card for the border crossing.
We pick you up and provide private transportation across the border to Tijuana.
Your physician confirms the plan in person and performs the injection at our COFEPRIS-licensed partner clinic.
Most patients stay one night in a premium hotel, included in every package.
We drive you back to San Diego for your flight home. Aftercare and follow-up continue after you return.
Exact inclusions and your schedule are confirmed during your consultation. For a step-by-step look at the visit, read what to expect.
Your case is reviewed by independent, licensed physicians in Tijuana who work with Gold Standard Regenerative.
Founder and Medical Director, Carabella Clinic, Tijuana
Mexican-licensed physician (Cédula Profesional on file) · Regenerative medicine
Dr. Chavira practices stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine, with extensive consultation experience for patients exploring options for joint-related concerns.
Meet Dr. Chavira
Mexican Board Certified Plastic Surgeon · ASPS & ISAPS Member · Regenerative medicine
Dr. Caloca brings stem cell therapy experience alongside his surgical practice and a commitment to individualized care.
Meet Dr. CalocaWe partner with a COFEPRIS-licensed clinic in Tijuana. COFEPRIS is Mexico’s federal health regulator. Gold Standard Regenerative coordinates your consultation, travel, and care; all medical services are provided by independent licensed physicians. Learn more about COFEPRIS and regenerative medicine regulation.
Questions worth asking any knee stem cell clinic, including us:
Regenerative treatment for knee osteoarthritis is investigational. It is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this use, and it is still being studied in clinical trials rather than settled in clinical practice. Anyone considering it deserves a clear account of where the research currently stands.
A 2022 systematic review in Stem Cells International pooled 28 randomised controlled trials covering 1,494 patients who received mesenchymal stem cell injections for osteoarthritis. It found no statistically significant difference in adverse events between the treatment and control groups, and reported no serious adverse events.
A 2026 meta-analysis of 28 randomised controlled trials in knee osteoarthritis found that temporary injection-site pain and joint swelling were more common after stem cell injections than after control injections, while serious complications such as infection were uncommon.
The 2022 authors described the overall body of evidence as generally low quality and said their findings should be generalised with caution. The trials differ in cell source, dose and protocol, which makes them difficult to compare, and follow-up beyond twelve months is limited. Published effect sizes for pain and function also vary considerably between reviews, and how much of the improvement is attributable to the cells themselves remains an open question in the literature. The 2026 review found no consistent improvement in joint structure on MRI.
What that means in practice: the safety signal so far is reassuring, but effectiveness is not established, and no honest account of this research can promise a result. Whether it is appropriate for you is a decision for a physician who has reviewed your history and imaging.
Sources: The Effectiveness and Safety of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 28 Randomized Controlled Trials, Stem Cells International, 2022. Contextual effects of mesenchymal stem cell injections for knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Frontiers in Medicine, 2025. Efficacy and safety of intra-articular mesenchymal stem cell–based therapies in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Awad et al., 2026.
All medical treatments involve potential risks and limitations. The side effects most often reported after knee stem cell injections are temporary pain and swelling in the knee. As with any joint injection, there is a small risk of infection.
Recovery. Because it is an injection, most patients travel home the day after treatment. Your physician will give you instructions on activity, exercise, and pain relief for the weeks that follow.
Expectations. Any change in symptoms, if it happens, is usually assessed over months rather than days. Stem cell therapy is still an evolving area of medicine, and results are not guaranteed. You can review regulatory information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Our packages range from $3,744 to $12,444 in U.S. dollars: Foundation ($3,744 to $5,544), Restore, our recommended package ($6,444 to $7,544), and Renew ($8,444 to $12,444). Your final price depends on your physician’s evaluation, including the cell dose and the number of areas treated. Results vary. See full package details.
Every package includes the physician evaluation, the procedure at our COFEPRIS-licensed partner clinic in Tijuana, premium hotel accommodation, airport and border transportation, and aftercare and follow-up. You book your own flight to San Diego. Exact inclusions are confirmed during your consultation.
Most patients stay one night. You fly into San Diego, we drive you across the border to Tijuana, and after your treatment and a night in the hotel we drive you back to San Diego for your flight home. Your exact schedule is confirmed during your consultation.
Often, yes, if your physician recommends it. Treating both knees counts as two areas, which usually falls under the Restore or Renew package. Your physician confirms the plan after reviewing your history and imaging.
It may not. Some patients explore stem cell therapy to see whether they can delay surgery, but it has not been shown to prevent or replace a knee replacement. For advanced, bone-on-bone arthritis, an orthopedic surgeon’s opinion is often the right next step. Read more about alternatives to knee replacement.
This has not been shown in people. Clinical studies mainly measure changes in pain and function, and MRI studies have not found consistent improvement in joint structure.
Studies to date suggest stem cell injections for knee osteoarthritis are generally well tolerated, and serious complications have been uncommon. The most commonly reported side effects are temporary pain and swelling in the knee. As with any joint injection, there is a small risk of infection. Your physician reviews the risks that apply to you.
No. Stem cell and exosome therapies for knee conditions are investigational and not FDA-approved. In Mexico, they are offered at clinics licensed by COFEPRIS, Mexico’s federal health regulator. Learn more about COFEPRIS regulation.
Most insurance plans do not cover regenerative cell therapies because they are considered investigational and are not FDA-approved. Whether HSA or FSA funds can be used depends on your plan; please confirm with your plan administrator.
Start with the free assessment. It is a few quick questions and takes about a minute, then a member of our team reaches out personally. A physician reviews your history and imaging before anything is recommended, and not everyone qualifies.
The same packages, physicians, and partner clinic apply to each area we treat. Each guide covers who it may suit, cost, the trip, and the research for that area.
If you are exploring options for knee pain, arthritis, a meniscus or ligament problem, or joint degeneration, the first step is finding out whether you qualify. It takes about a minute, and candidacy is always determined by a physician.
See If You Qualify →