Adult stem cells are found in bone marrow, fat, blood, joints, and many other tissues. These stem cells are also called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Treating osteoarthritis with stem cells is still experimental and is being studied. When they are injected into a joint, some studies show they may help relieve pain, swelling, and loss of movement.
Stem cells can also be used to make an artificial tissue in a laboratory. This lab-made tissue can then be put into a joint to help repair damaged bone, ligaments, and cartilage. However, no stem cell therapy has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is still monitoring the ongoing trials. Stem cell therapy typically costs $10,000 to $20,000 being the most frequently reported range for a single treatment. Also, insurance providers consider these orthobiologic treatments as “experimental” or “speculative."