Stem Cell Therapy
- utkuerdemozer
- May 8
- 8 min read
Stem cell therapy is one of the most innovative and promising approaches modern medicine has to offer. By activating the body’s natural healing mechanisms, it aims to repair and regenerate damaged tissues.
This method has become increasingly popular in orthopedic conditions—such as joint osteoarthritis, meniscus tears, and tendon injuries—as either an alternative or a complementary treatment to surgery. Stem cells harvested from the patient’s own fat tissue or bone marrow are processed and directly injected into the damaged area. This stimulates the body’s self-repair process and accelerates healing.
In this article, we will explore what stem cell therapy is, how it works, and in which conditions it is most commonly used.
What Are Stem Cells?
From the moment of conception, our bodies are composed of numerous stem cells that help form organs and tissues. During early childhood, these stem cells have a high regenerative potential.
Throughout life, our cells naturally die and are replaced. Stem cells within our own bodies transform into the types of cells that are lost, aiding in tissue repair. However, as we age, both the number of stem cells and their ability to heal diminish.
Stem cells are naturally found in the human body—primarily in bone marrow and adipose (fat) tissue. They possess a unique ability to differentiate into other types of cells such as cartilage or nerve cells.
For a cell to be considered a true stem cell, it must exhibit two key properties:
Self-Renewal: The ability to divide and grow while maintaining an undifferentiated state.
Potency: The potential to differentiate into other specialized cell types.
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that uses the body’s natural healing ability to treat various conditions. In regenerative medicine, stem cells are used to repair or regenerate diseased or damaged tissues. This therapy has shown promising results in treating a wide range of orthopedic, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and autoimmune conditions.
There are two main types of stem cell applications in clinical practice:
Adipose-derived stem cell therapy
Bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy
Stem cells can be harvested from various parts of the body, including bone marrow, fat tissue, and even umbilical cord blood. As multipotent cells, they have the unique ability to transform into different types of tissues. This makes them highly effective in processes such as cell transplantation and tissue repair.
Stem cell therapy continues to be explored in clinical trials and is emerging as a novel treatment option for many chronic diseases. Common uses include:
Regenerative medicine procedures
Bone marrow transplants
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy
Treatment of neurological and cardiac disorders
If you're also curious about platelet-rich plasma therapy, check out our article on PRP Treatment.
How Is Stem Cell Therapy Performed?
Stem cell therapy involves using either the patient’s own stem cells (autologous) or donor-derived stem cells (allogeneic). These stem cells are typically extracted from:
Adipose (fat) tissue
Bone marrow
What Is Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Therapy?
Fat tissue in the human body contains 100 to 500 times more stem cells than other similar tissues. Research shows that the regenerative capacity of fat-derived stem cells does not significantly decline with age.
Adipose-derived stem cells—or stromal vascular fraction (SVF)—are isolated from fat tissue and are rich in regenerative cells. These cells are collected into a syringe and injected directly into the affected area to promote healing and regeneration.
How Do Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Work?
Adipose-derived stem cells promote healing through two main mechanisms:
Cellular Repair: Fat tissue contains a high concentration of reparative stem cells that can support the regeneration and reconstruction of damaged or injured tissue.
Joint Cushioning: The injected material also provides mechanical support and cushioning to the joint or treated area.
How Are Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Collected?
Using either light general anesthesia or local anesthesia, fat tissue is gently harvested via liposuction—usually from a 10 cm² area of the abdominal region. The extracted fat is processed through a sterile filtration system to isolate the stem cells, which are then drawn into a syringe and injected into the target area under ultrasound guidance.
Conditions Treated with Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Therapy
Adipose-derived stem cell therapy is commonly used in the treatment of:
Knee osteoarthritis
Hip osteoarthritis
Ankle osteoarthritis
Muscle tears
Tendon injuries
Ligament sprains
Meniscus tears
What Is Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cell Therapy?
Also known as BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate), bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy has gained significant popularity in recent years for the treatment of orthopedic conditions.
In this procedure, stem cells are extracted from the patient’s own bone marrow, processed through a specialized filtration system, and collected into a syringe. The concentrated stem cells are then injected directly into the affected area.
Because harvesting bone marrow can be painful, the procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia. Patients may experience mild discomfort during the first 1–2 days after the procedure, but the pain is usually minimal and does not require strong painkillers.
How Is Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy Performed?
Stem cells are extracted using a special needle inserted into the pelvic bone. This is a minimally invasive procedure done under light anesthesia—it is not considered surgery.
The bone marrow aspirate is then centrifuged using a specialized machine to concentrate growth factors and healing agents. This preparation is referred to as BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate) and is effectively used in various clinical situations.
Conditions Treated with Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells
Bone marrow stem cell therapy is commonly used in the treatment of:
Tendinopathies (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, patellar tendinitis, Achilles tendinitis)
Ligament injuries
Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and ankle joints
Adjunct treatment in cartilage repair procedures such as:
Osteochondral allograft
Osteochondral autograft
Chondroplasty
How Long Does Stem Cell Therapy Take?
The duration of stem cell therapy depends on the area being treated and the technique used. In most cases, the procedure takes between 1 to 3 hours, and the recovery period may last several weeks.
It is important for patients to rest appropriately and follow their doctor’s post-procedure instructions. The body takes time to integrate the stem cells and initiate repair, so the healing process may vary from person to person.
The treatment typically lasts 1–3 hours.
Injected stem cells trigger the body’s natural tissue repair mechanisms.
Regular follow-up is essential to monitor recovery and outcomes.
Stem Cell Surgery
Stem cell surgery is a highly effective treatment method used to repair damaged tissues and promote regeneration. This technique involves utilizing the body’s own stem cells to enhance the natural healing process.
Stem cells are typically harvested from different parts of the body—most commonly from bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue.
Stem cell surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Prior to the procedure, stem cells are collected from the patient.
The source of the stem cells depends on the patient’s overall health and the condition being treated. However, stem cells are generally obtained from the following areas:
Bone marrow: Stem cells are collected through a needle inserted into the hip bone (iliac crest) via a procedure called bone marrow aspiration.
Adipose tissue: Fat is collected from the abdominal or thigh region through liposuction. Stem cells are then isolated from this tissue in a laboratory setting.
Umbilical cord blood: Collected after birth, cord blood contains a rich supply of stem cells used in certain specialized treatments.
Steps of Stem Cell Surgery
Anesthesia: General anesthesia is administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure.
Stem Cell Preparation: The collected stem cells are processed in a sterile lab environment and prepared for use.
Surgical Access: A small incision is made to access the damaged area.
Stem Cell Application: The processed stem cells are injected directly into the damaged tissue or joint during surgery.
Closure: The incision is closed with sutures.
Stem Cell Therapy as an Alternative to Knee Replacement Surgery
Stem cell therapy can be considered an alternative to knee replacement surgery, but its suitability depends on the degree of cartilage loss and the overall condition of the joint. By using the body’s own regenerative cells, stem cell therapy attempts to restore damaged cartilage tissue. However, it is not a replacement for surgery in every patient.
Benefits:
Non-surgical treatment
Activates the body’s natural healing mechanisms
Shorter recovery time
May delay or eliminate the need for knee replacement
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Patients with knee osteoarthritis or cartilage damage
Those without severe bone deformities
Individuals in early stages of joint degeneration
Stem Cell Injection
A stem cell injection is a highly effective treatment method used to relieve joint and muscle pain. In this approach, stem cells are directly injected into the affected area to stimulate healing.
Benefits of Stem Cell Injections:
Reduces pain
Improves mobility
Enhances joint function
Decreases dependence on medications
Cost of Stem Cell Therapy in 2025
In 2025, stem cell therapy tends to be more expensive than traditional treatments. The cost depends on several factors:
Factor | Impact on Cost |
Amount of stem cells used | Increases cost |
Number of sessions | Longer treatments are more expensive |
Rehabilitation | Adds to total treatment expenses |
Patient’s overall condition | Influences the treatment plan |
Rehabilitation and follow-up care are also part of the overall cost. Since this is a highly personalized treatment, we recommend contacting us directly for a detailed quote tailored to your needs.
Patient Testimonials
Mehmet K. (Knee Osteoarthritis):
"I had chronic knee pain for years and tried many treatments with no lasting relief. Dr. Utku Erdem Özer recommended stem cell therapy, and I’m glad I followed through. My pain significantly decreased, and my mobility improved."
Ayşe T. (Rheumatoid Arthritis):
"I had my doubts about stem cell therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, but after a detailed consultation with Dr. Özer, I felt confident to proceed. The care I received was excellent. I now feel better and manage daily tasks more easily."
Burak Y. (Chronic Tendon Injuries):
"As a professional athlete, chronic tendon injuries were putting my career at risk. Thanks to stem cell therapy by Dr. Özer, my recovery sped up, and I was able to return to training. Thank you for the professionalism and support."
Ali M. (Knee Ligament Injury after Car Accident):
"After a severe ligament injury from a car accident, traditional treatments weren’t enough. I tried stem cell therapy under Dr. Özer’s care and saw faster recovery. I can now use my knee with confidence again."
Stem Cell Therapy for Knees: Patient Feedback
Many patients who underwent stem cell therapy for knee issues report significant improvements in pain and mobility. Mesenchymal stem cells injected into the knee joint help with cartilage regeneration, improving function and quality of life.
Testimonials:
Ayşe T.: "I had difficulty walking due to knee pain. After the treatment, the pain subsided, and I can walk freely again."
Mehmet K.: "I suffered from cartilage damage. After therapy, my mobility returned, and the pain is gone."
Zeynep A.: "Stem cell treatment reduced the inflammation in my knee. I’m back to exercising comfortably."
Ali V.: "The procedure was quick and painless. My knee feels significantly better now."
Zehra A.: "I had severe pain due to a lumbar herniation. After stem cell therapy, the pain decreased dramatically, and I regained mobility."
Hospitals Offering Stem Cell Therapy
We proudly offer stem cell therapy under the care of Dr. Utku Erdem Özer, providing innovative and effective regenerative treatments to improve patient health and quality of life.
How Are Stem Cells Collected?
Stem cells are usually harvested from the patient’s own body:
Method | Description |
Bone Marrow | Collected from the hip bone using local anesthesia |
Fat Tissue | Extracted via liposuction from abdomen or thigh |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does stem cell therapy last?
The effects vary by condition and individual health but can last for several years. Regular follow-ups are recommended.
Is stem cell therapy safe?
Generally, yes. However, ethical considerations and potential side effects should be discussed with your physician.
Does insurance cover stem cell therapy?
Currently, most public health systems (e.g., SGK in Turkey) do not cover it. Some private insurance providers may offer partial coverage.
Is there an age limit for stem cell therapy?
It’s usually performed on individuals aged 18 and older, though certain pediatric cases may be considered under special circumstances.
Conclusion
Stem cell therapy is a powerful form of regenerative medicine that harnesses the body’s own healing capabilities to treat a variety of conditions. It can be administered via injection or surgery, depending on the clinical need.
For more information and a personalized consultation, we invite you to contact our clinic directly.
Thank you for reading. To learn more about our services, visit our homepage at utkuerdemozer.com.
