Knee pain isn’t just uncomfortable—it can stop you from doing the things you love. Whether it’s walking your dog, hiking, or simply getting up from a chair without wincing, everyday movement becomes a challenge. Thankfully, regenerative knee therapy is changing how we treat pain, offering a less invasive and more natural approach to healing than traditional options.
At PointHealth, especially at our Encino location, we specialize in stem cell therapy that supports the body’s natural ability to repair damaged tissues—including the knee joint. In this guide, we’ll break down what regenerative therapy is, how it works, and whether it could be the right fit for your healing journey.
What Is Regenerative Knee Therapy?
Regenerative knee therapy involves using stem cell treatments to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and encourage the body to restore healthy cartilage within the knee. Regenerative medicine aims to stimulate the body’s natural healing ability and promote the repair of damaged tissues, offering new hope for treating conditions like knee pain and osteoarthritis. These therapies fall under the umbrella of regenerative medicine, a field focused on repairing knee cartilage and reversing damage at the cellular level.
Instead of simply masking symptoms, regenerative treatment goes deeper to repair damaged tissues and regrow cartilage—especially beneficial for those experiencing:
Knee osteoarthritis
Meniscus tears
Cartilage defects
Post-surgical or chronic pain
Early-stage degenerative conditions
Understanding the Knee Joint
The knee joint is a complex and vital part of the human body, providing support and facilitating movement. It is composed of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, all working together to enable us to walk, run, and engage in various activities.
The knee joint is prone to injuries and degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis, which can cause chronic pain and limit mobility. Regenerative medicine, including stem cell therapy, has emerged as a promising treatment option for knee-related issues, aiming to repair and regenerate damaged tissues, and alleviate pain.
How Stem Cell Therapy Works for Knee Pain
At PointHealth Encino, we use mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from sources like adipose tissue (fat) or bone marrow. These adult stem cells are widely used in orthopedic medicine because of their ability to promote tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation naturally. Cell therapy work, particularly with MSCs, offers a revolutionary and minimally invasive alternative to conventional treatments, emphasizing their potential in cartilage regeneration and inflammation reduction to improve joint function.
Here’s how the process works:
Stem cells are harvested from fat tissue or bone marrow.
They’re processed into a concentrated form using advanced clinical methods.
The stem cell injections are administered into the knee joint, targeting areas of inflammation or damaged cartilage.
Once in place, the cells release growth factors that stimulate tissue repair and promote the development of healthy tissue.
Stem cell therapy work specifically for treating knee pain and osteoarthritis highlights the role of MSCs in cartilage regeneration. This innovative and minimally invasive therapy focuses on its potential benefits for pain alleviation and improving joint function.
Different cell types, such as mesenchymal and adipose-derived stem cells, play crucial roles in regenerative medicine, offering therapeutic benefits for knee conditions.
This is a minimally invasive procedure—most patients walk out the same day and resume light activities shortly after.
Knee Cartilage Regeneration
Knee cartilage regeneration is a key area of focus in regenerative medicine, as cartilage damage is a common cause of knee pain and limited mobility. Cartilage cells, also known as chondrocytes, play a crucial role in maintaining healthy cartilage.
Stem cell therapy, including the use of mesenchymal stem cells, has shown promise in promoting cartilage regeneration and reducing inflammation. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which involves injecting platelet-rich plasma into the affected area, has also been used to stimulate tissue repair and promote healing. Clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of these regenerative treatments in improving knee function and reducing pain.
Why Stem Cell Therapy Is Better Than PRP for Knee Relief
You may have heard of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a treatment for knee pain. While PRP has its uses, stem cell therapy consistently delivers better long-term outcomes, especially for those with advanced cartilage damage or degenerative conditions, as it can significantly reduce pain and enhance mobility.
Stem cells don’t just boost healing—they directly regenerate tissue, something PRP cannot do. In fact, many clinical trials and randomized controlled trials show greater pain reduction, improved mobility, and better patient outcomes with stem cell therapy versus PRP.
Key Benefits of Regenerative Knee Therapy
Here’s why regenerative medicine is a powerful alternative to knee replacement surgery and other more invasive interventions:
Unlike traditional treatments, which often include rest, medication, physical therapy, and surgery, regenerative knee therapy offers a less invasive option with potentially fewer side effects.
✅ 1. Pain Reduction
Most patients experience noticeable pain relief within weeks of treatment.
However, it is important to note that not all patients may achieve the same benefits due to varying factors such as the severity of knee damage and individual health responses.
✅ 2. Improved Mobility
As inflammation decreases and cartilage regenerates in the knee joints, you’ll likely notice better joint function and less stiffness.
✅ 3. Avoid or Delay Surgery
Total knee replacement is invasive and comes with long recovery times. Many patients choose regenerative treatment to postpone or avoid surgery altogether.
✅ 4. Minimal Downtime
This non-surgical treatment allows you to return to normal activities much faster than traditional knee surgery.
Additionally, advanced regenerative options, such as induced pluripotent stem cells, offer unique therapeutic benefits for optimal healing outcomes.
✅ 5. Supports Natural Healing
Regenerative therapy doesn’t rely on synthetic drugs or foreign materials. Instead, it encourages your body to heal itself. Pluripotent stem cells, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), offer a versatile option that mimics embryonic stem cells, enhancing regenerative medicine strategies.
Clinical Trials and Research
Numerous clinical trials and research studies have been conducted to investigate the safety and efficacy of regenerative medicine treatments, including stem cell therapy, for knee-related conditions. These studies have involved the use of stem cells, PRP, and other regenerative therapies to treat knee osteoarthritis, meniscus tears, and cartilage defects. The results of these studies have been promising, with many participants experiencing significant improvements in knee function and pain reduction. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential of regenerative medicine for knee-related conditions and to establish standardized treatment protocols.
Success Rates and Outcomes
The success rates and outcomes of regenerative medicine treatments for knee-related conditions vary depending on the specific treatment, the severity of the condition, and individual patient factors. However, many studies have reported positive outcomes, with significant improvements in knee function, pain reduction, and quality of life. For example, a randomized controlled trial involving the use of mesenchymal stem cells to treat knee osteoarthritis reported a significant reduction in pain and improvement in knee function at 12 months follow-up. Another study involving the use of PRP therapy to treat cartilage defects reported a significant improvement in knee function and reduction in pain at 6 months follow-up. While these results are promising, it is essential to note that regenerative medicine is not a guarantee of success, and individual results may vary. Consultation with an orthopedic surgeon or regenerative medicine specialist is necessary to determine the best course of treatment for each patient.
Who’s a Good Candidate?
You may benefit from regenerative knee therapy if:
You’ve been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis
You have chronic pain that hasn’t responded to physical therapy or medication
You’re not ready for knee replacement surgery
You’ve experienced meniscus tears or cartilage injuries
You want a minimally invasive alternative that works with your body’s natural healing process
Embryonic stem cells, which come from embryos formed during the blastocyst phase of development, are often highlighted for their unique characteristics in regenerative medicine.
Why Choose PointHealth in Encino?
Our Encino location offers leading-edge stem cell therapy in a supportive and welcoming environment. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all care. Every patient receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to their condition, lifestyle, and goals. Our commitment to innovation is demonstrated by our participation in a clinical trial to evaluate the safety of a novel gene therapy for treating arthritic knees.
Learn more about our Encino services here: 👉 Stem Cell Therapy in Encino, CA
And discover how we’re helping patients across multiple locations here: 👉 Stem Cell Therapy at PointHealth
We’re proud to bring innovative, science-backed therapies to our community—so you can get back to living, moving, and enjoying life without being held back by knee pain.
Take the Next Step Toward Pain Relief
Knee pain doesn’t have to define your life. With regenerative therapy, including advanced stem cell treatment, you have real, natural options to alleviate pain, support healing, and restore mobility.
👉 Visit pointhealthclinic.com or call us at (855) 263-1487 to schedule a consultation at our Encino clinic.
We’re here to help you move forward—stronger, pain-free, and with confidence.
