Knee Stem Cell Therapy Cost and What to Expect

Medically reviewed by Dr. Gaurav Goswami, MD — prepared October 2026

Knee stem cell therapy cost varies widely, with published surveys reporting prices from about $1,150 to $12,000 per knee. A Journal of Knee Surgery survey of 65 U.S. centers found an average of about $5,156, and a 2025 study found a median near $3,500. Treatment typically involves an evaluation and imaging review, collection of your own cells from bone marrow or fat, same-day processing, and an image-guided injection, followed by a gradual recovery. Insurance and Medicare generally don’t cover it.

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How Much Does Knee Stem Cell Therapy Cost?

There is no standard price, but published research offers useful benchmarks. In a survey published in the Journal of Knee Surgery, researchers at Cleveland Clinic contacted U.S. stem cell centers about same-day stem cell injections for knee osteoarthritis. Of the 65 centers that quoted a price for a single knee, the average was $5,156, with a range of $1,150 to $12,000.

A 2025 pricing study found a median stem cell injection price of about $3,500 among the clinics that published one, compared with medians of roughly $875 to $1,000 for PRP. The authors described orthobiologic injections as an out-of-pocket market with variable pricing and transparency.

These figures are reference points, not quotes. Your cost depends on the specifics of your knee treatment plan.

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What Affects the Price of Knee Stem Cell Treatment?

Several factors explain the difference between one quote and another:

  • Cell source. Bone marrow and fat collection involve different procedures and processing.
  • Processing method. Some protocols concentrate cells on the same day, while others involve more extensive laboratory processing.
  • Image guidance. Ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance requires additional equipment and expertise.
  • One knee or both. Treating both knees typically costs more than treating one.
  • Combination treatments. Some plans pair stem cells with PRP or other therapies.
  • Number of sessions. Some plans use a single injection; others use a short series.
  • Follow-up care. Some quotes include follow-up visits, and others don't.

Why Doesn’t Insurance Cover Knee Stem Cell Therapy?

Insurers generally don’t pay for knee stem cell injections because they aren’t FDA-approved for treating knee arthritis. The FDA’s consumer alert on regenerative medicine products lists knee pain and osteoarthritis among the orthopedic conditions for which none of these products have been approved. Medicare’s stem cell coverage, as described on Medicare.gov, applies to transplants such as bone marrow transplants, not to regenerative joint injections.

That’s why most patients pay out of pocket, and why a written, itemized estimate matters so much.

What Happens Before Treatment?

The process starts with an evaluation. Your physician reviews your symptoms and history, examines the knee, and reviews imaging such as X-rays or MRI to confirm the diagnosis and the severity of any arthritis. Bring any prior imaging reports and a list of the treatments you’ve already tried. This is also when you’ll discuss whether stem cell therapy, PRP, or another approach fits best, and whether you are a candidate at all.

Before treatment day, your physician will review your medications, including blood thinners and anti-inflammatory drugs, and tell you whether any should be paused. You may also receive instructions about eating, clothing, and arranging a ride home.

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What Happens on Treatment Day?

Most knee stem cell treatments are completed in a single outpatient visit, in three main steps:

  • Collection. For a bone marrow–based treatment, a small amount of marrow is drawn, typically from the back of the pelvis, after the area is numbed. For a fat-based treatment, a small sample of fat is collected through a minor liposuction-style procedure.
  • Processing. The sample is processed, often in a centrifuge, to concentrate the cells.
  • Injection. The concentrate is injected into the knee using imaging guidance to confirm placement.

Imaging guidance matters: a 2024 meta-analysis of randomized trials found that ultrasound-guided joint injections produced better clinical outcomes than landmark-guided injections in knee, hip, and hand osteoarthritis.

What Does Recovery Look Like?

Expect some soreness. In a 2024 systematic review of 48 studies including 1,924 patients, the most common side effects were temporary pain and swelling at the injection site, and soreness at the collection site was also reported. Most reactions resolved within a week, and no serious complications were reported in the short term.

Your physician will give you specific activity guidance, which typically involves easing back into higher-impact activity gradually. Improvement, when it occurs, tends to build over weeks to months, and follow-up visits help track your progress. Some plans call for a single injection, while published studies have also used series of two to three injections spaced weeks to months apart.

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Is Knee Stem Cell Therapy Worth the Cost?

Value depends on what you’re comparing it to and what you hope to achieve. The 2025 Cochrane review found, based on low-certainty evidence, a small average improvement in knee pain and function compared with placebo. One randomized trial found that bone marrow aspirate concentrate and PRP produced equivalent results at one year, and PRP generally costs less.

For some patients, the chance of delaying surgery or getting back to an important activity justifies the cost. For others, PRP, physical therapy, or a different approach makes more sense. A physician who reviews your imaging can help you weigh the cost against a realistic expected benefit for your knee.

How Can You Compare Quotes Fairly?

Because packages differ so much, compare quotes on the same terms:

  • What exactly is included, from the evaluation through follow-up?
  • Is the price for one knee or both?
  • Who performs the procedure, and is image guidance used?
  • What is the cell source, and how is it processed?
  • What happens if a second treatment is recommended?

If you’re weighing regenerative care against surgery, our pages on an alternative to knee replacement and stem cell therapy versus invasive knee surgery walk through the trade-offs. For pain along the inside of the knee, see our page on inner knee pain treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does stem cell therapy for one knee cost?

Published data put most single-knee injections between about $1,150 and $12,000, with an average of about $5,156 in one survey of 65 U.S. centers and a median near $3,500 in a 2025 study. Your cost depends on your treatment plan.

Generally, no. Stem cell injections are not FDA-approved for knee osteoarthritis, and Medicare’s stem cell coverage applies to transplants such as bone marrow transplants.

Some treatment plans use a single injection, while published studies have also used series of two to three injections. Your physician will recommend a plan based on your evaluation.

Most people go home the same day. Temporary soreness and swelling are common and usually resolve within about a week, while any improvement in symptoms tends to build over weeks to months.

Possibly. Eligibility depends on federal rules for medical expenses and on your specific plan, so check with your plan administrator before treatment and keep an itemized receipt.

Usually, yes. A 2025 pricing study found median PRP prices of roughly $875 to $1,000, compared with about $3,500 for stem cell injections. Whether PRP or stem cells is the better fit depends on your condition.

Want a personalized estimate for your knee? Schedule a free phone consultation with our team.