FAQs

Mesenchymal stem cells are injected into or around the affected joint, tendon or disc, with ultrasound guidance for joints and tendons. They act mainly by signalling: they release factors that reduce inflammation and influence how nearby tissue repairs itself, rather than by rebuilding cartilage directly. Improvements in pain and function are reported for knee osteoarthritis; the evidence for other uses is earlier and less certain.

A physician does, after reviewing your medical history and imaging. At Stem Cell Medellin that review is done by Dr. Catalina Henao Grajales, Medical Doctor and Surgeon from Universidad CES (2008), with ISSCA certification in Point of Care Regenerative Medicine (2025, registration #8792), alongside Dr. Camilo Hernando Arango and Sebastian Botero. Not everyone qualifies, and the clinic says so when stem cell therapy is not the right option.

Yes, mainly from the United States and Canada. The typical stay is 5 to 7 days: consultation and imaging review, the procedure, and a follow-up before flying home. Case review starts remotely before travel, and the clinic coordinates local medical contacts for the days you are in Medellin.

The injection itself takes under an hour and is outpatient: there are no incisions and no hospital stay. Recovery is gradual rather than immediate. Some patients notice changes within a few weeks; for others improvement builds over roughly two to three months as inflammation settles. Anyone promising a fixed timeline is guessing.

Because surgery is not always the right first step, and regenerative injections do not burn that bridge: no incisions, no hospital stay, and joint replacement remains available later if it is needed. Treatment is priced by dose, from COP 7,500,000 for 10 million cells to COP 32,000,000 for 150 million, and the physician recommends the dose after reviewing the case. When the spine is unstable or a nerve is compressed, surgery is still the appropriate option.

The procedure itself is brief. What follows is gradual. Inside the body, the response unfolds quietly over time. Inflammation may begin to settle. Cellular signalling shifts. Tissue behaviour adjusts. This is not an overnight change, and it is not dramatic in the first few days.

At Stem Cell Medellin, patients are reminded that regeneration is a process, not an event. Some people notice early improvements in comfort or mobility. Others experience subtle progress that builds week by week. The body responds at its own pace.

That is why Stem Cell Medellin approaches treatment with realistic timelines. The goal is not immediate transformation. It is steady biological support that encourages improved function over time.

Knee pain stem cell therapy focuses specifically on damaged cartilage, inflammation, or degenerative changes inside the knee joint. Instead of removing tissue or replacing the joint, the treatment aims to support the existing structure.

Many patients seek this option because they want to delay knee replacement surgery or reduce chronic pain that has not responded to injections or physical therapy.

Joint pain stem cell therapy is used for hips, shoulders, ankles, and other weight-bearing joints. Over time, joints can wear down or become inflamed. This therapy is designed to calm that inflammation and support tissue recovery.

It is often considered when conservative treatments have not provided lasting relief.

Back pain stem cell therapy is typically used for disc degeneration, facet joint irritation, or chronic inflammation in the spine. The aim is to reduce pain at its source rather than simply manage symptoms.

Because the spine is complex, a proper evaluation is essential before deciding if regenerative treatment is appropriate.

When performed in a controlled medical setting with proper screening, stem cell therapy is generally considered safe. Most patients experience temporary soreness at the injection site, similar to other joint injections.

Safety always depends on medical assessment, which is why consultation and imaging review matter.

Healing does not happen overnight. Some patients notice changes within a few weeks. For others, improvements build slowly over two to three months as inflammation decreases and tissue repair continues.

Patience is part of the process.

The best candidates are individuals with chronic joint or spine pain who want to explore non-surgical options. Not everyone qualifies. A medical evaluation is required to determine if regenerative therapy is appropriate for your condition.

That step protects both safety and expectations.

In some cases, it may reduce the need for surgery or delay it. In others, surgery may still be the most appropriate option. The right answer depends on the severity of the damage and your overall health.

A responsible clinic will never promise that every case can avoid surgery.