Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis and cartilage repair: Current evidence and clinical applications
Published Year 2026
Read the study
Scroll
Miami's Pioneers in Stem Cell Therapy
Don't let knee pain decide what you can still do.
Stay active. Keep traveling. Keep playing. Keep living life on your terms.
0+
Years of Experience
0+
Cases Treated
One Goal.
Help You Keep Moving
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are part of the body's natural system for growth, repair, and renewal.
Before your body had bones, joints, muscles, or organs, it began with cells that could develop into specialized tissues and help shape the structures that make up the body. That is what makes stem cells so important in regenerative medicine.
When knee pain becomes chronic, the pain itself is only part of the picture. Changes may also be happening inside the joint involving cartilage, inflammation, surrounding tissue, and overall joint function.
Instead of only asking
"How do we make the pain go away?"
The better question is
"What's actually happening inside the joint, and can we do more than manage the symptoms?"
Clinical studies have reported improvements in outcomes patients care about most, including pain, stiffness, physical function, and quality of life.
Research & Evidence
For more than 17 years, Miami Stem Cell has followed the evolving science of regenerative medicine.
Explore selected research and clinical evidence. Click an image to view it larger, then use the button on each card to continue.
Intra-articular injection of umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells is safe and effective for moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis with synovitis: a double‑blinded and randomized controlled trial
Published Year 2025
Read the study
Functionalized exosomes as emerging therapeutics for osteoarthritis: Recent advances in their diverse cellular origins and effective targeted delivery
Published Year 2026
Read the study
Scalable Isolation of Human Umbilical Cord MSC-Derived Exosomes and Their Therapeutic Potential in Osteoarthritis
Published Year 2026
Read the study
Human Umbilical Cord MSC-Derived Exosomes and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Regenerative Approach to Joint Support
Published Year 2026
Read the study
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Published Year 2024
Read the study
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review of Clinical Efficacy and Future Directions
Published Year 2025
Read the study
Single vs triple injections of platelet-rich plasma in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective cohort study of 80 patients
Published Year 2025
Read the study
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of the Mechanisms, Preparation Protocols, and Clinical Evidence
Published Year 2025
Read the study
Long-term efficacy of platelet-rich plasma for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Published Year 2025
Read the study
Alpha-2-Macroglobulin Attenuates Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis Cartilage Damage by Inhibiting Inflammatory Pathways in a Modified Intra-Articular Drilling Yucatan Minipig Model
Published Year 2024
Read the study
Human birth tissue products as a non-opioid medicine to inhibit post-surgical pain
Published Year 2024
Read the study
Swipe on mobile/tablet or use the arrows to browse the research cards.
Reported Benefits in Clinical Studies
Less Knee Pain1,2
Reduced pain scores.
Better Function1,2
Improved movement and daily activity.
Less Stiffness1
Better WOMAC pain, stiffness, and function scores.
Stay More Active3
Improved activity and sports-related function.
Reported across clinical studies of certain mesenchymal stem cell treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Individual results vary.
The Miami Stem Cell Difference
Experience. Transparency. Care that feels personal.
Start the Conversation-
17+ Years of Experience
Long-standing experience in regenerative medicine.
-
8,500+ Cases
Thousands of patients treated across regenerative and pain-focused care.
-
Physician-Led
Medical decisions guided by experienced providers, not a sales script.
-
Research-Informed
Treatment conversations grounded in evolving clinical evidence.
-
Personalized Care
Your condition, goals, lifestyle, and health history all matter.
-
Clear, Honest Guidance
No hype. No unrealistic promises. Just transparent conversations about what may be appropriate for you.
-
Patient First
Because the goal is not simply to treat a knee. It is to help you keep living the life that matters to you.
What our patients are saying.
4.5 out of 5 · 204 Google reviews
"I received stem cell injections in February and for the first time in 30 years I'm pain free still. It's strengthening muscles, repairing old injuries... Thank God for them."
ET
Eric Tessier
Google review · 5 reviews
"I came in just to see if I wanted treatment for my severe arthritis... I can not believe that I am already without pain. I feel like five years ago. I'd rather do non-invasive treatment [than] cuts from knee replacements."
JS
Joanne Swager
Google review · 12 reviews
"I did my research, Miami Stem Cell is excellent as advertised. Super competent and caring staff. Dr. Serpa was fantastic. I'm confident my treatment will yield significant improvement."
KB
Keith Bocchicchio
Google review · Local Guide, 17 reviews
"Excellent experience at Miami Stem Cell. The entire staff was incredibly nice and professional. From start to finish, everyone made me feel comfortable and well cared for."
OA
Oigres A.
Google review · Local Guide, 15 reviews
"I had an exceptional experience with Miami Stem Cell. From the initial consultation, the medical team was incredibly thorough, taking the time to explain the science... and setting realistic expectations."
OG
Ottoniel Gonzalez
Google review · 5 reviews
"Thank you Miami Stem Cell for always having my best interest in mind. This process has been rewarding and revitalizing... Thank you Claudia for being so professional and welcoming each visit."
LR
Lorena D. Rodriguez
Google review · 11 reviews
Stephen Haggarty
Miriam
Julius I.
Jennifer
Datris Scott
Meet Our Core Medical Team
Founding Physician
JS
Dr. John A. Serpa, M.D.
Double-Board Certified Anesthesiologist & Pain Medicine Specialist
35+ Years in Pain Management · Cornell Fellowship-Trained · Regenerative
Medicine Experience
"Dr. Serpa brings decades of pain-management experience to every patient evaluation, combining interventional medicine with regenerative approaches for chronic joint and spine conditions."
Sports Medicine
Dr. Gavin Ajami, M.D.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · Sports Medicine Focus
Orthopedic Research · Musculoskeletal Medicine · Active-Lifestyle Care
"Dr. Ajami's background in rehabilitation, sports medicine, and orthopedic research gives him a strong understanding of how pain and joint problems affect movement, performance, and quality of life."
Nurse Practitioner
NP
Nurse Practitioner
Patient Care & Treatment Coordination
Bio & headshot to be added
Add this team member's credentials and a short line about their role in patient care.
Nurse Practitioner
NP
Nurse Practitioner
Patient Care & Treatment Coordination
Bio & headshot to be added
Add this team member's credentials and a short line about their role in patient care.
Miami Stem Cell is a place of hope.
Hope for the person who is tired of living around their pain. Hope for someone who wants to stay active, travel, play with their grandchildren, or simply keep doing the things that make their life theirs.
That is what drew me to regenerative medicine in the first place: the possibility of making a real difference in someone's quality of life.
But hope has to come with responsibility. It has to come with honesty, experience, quality, and a clear understanding of what is realistically possible for each patient.
That is what Miami Stem Cell is: a place for people who want to feel better, stay active, and keep living life on their terms, without pain becoming the thing that defines what they can and cannot do.
Gracie Murphy
Founder, Miami Stem Cell
Frequently Asked Questions
Honest answers to the questions we hear most, before you ever step into the office.
Depending on the treatment being considered, options may involve cells from your own body, such as bone marrow, or biologic material derived from donated umbilical cord tissue. Your physician should explain exactly what is being used and why.
That depends on your diagnosis, severity of joint changes, overall health, what you have already tried, and what you want to get back to doing. The physician evaluates those factors before making a recommendation.
Patients commonly seek evaluation for knee osteoarthritis, chronic knee pain, cartilage wear, degenerative joint changes, and symptoms that have continued despite conservative treatment.
It varies from patient to patient. Both published research and our experience with patients show that improvements can continue for months after treatment, with some studies reporting benefits through 12 months and beyond.
Many of our patients return to everyday activity relatively quickly, while golf, pickleball, running, or more demanding exercise may require a more gradual return. Your physician will guide you based on your knee and the treatment performed.
Some of our patients are treated once, while others may benefit from additional care over time. It depends on the condition of your knee, how you respond, and what your physician recommends.
Stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis is considered an emerging area of medicine and is not currently FDA-approved specifically for this use.
At Miami Stem Cell, we believe patients deserve a clear understanding of both the science and the regulatory status of the treatments they're considering, without hype, pressure, or unrealistic promises.
Our role is to help you understand what the research shows, what options may be appropriate for your knee, and what you can realistically expect.
For some patients, regenerative medicine may be worth exploring before moving forward with knee replacement.
In published research and in our clinical experience, some patients have seen meaningful improvements in pain and function without immediately progressing to surgery.
Whether that is realistic for you depends on the condition of your knee, how advanced the joint changes are, your overall health, and your goals.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you feel ready to explore treatment, meet directly with a physician to discuss your knee, your goals, and whether regenerative medicine may be appropriate for you.
Reserve a Physician ConsultationConsultation deposit required.
Want to Talk It Through First?
If you'd like more clarity around the treatment, cost, financing, or what to expect, start with a conversation with our team.
Speak With Our Team- 1 Cao M, Ou Z, Sheng R, et al. "Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 2025;16:122.
- 2 Tian X, Qu Z, Cao Y, Zhang B. "Relative efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells for osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2024;15:1366297.
- 3 Ruane JJ, Ross A, Zigmont V, McClure D, Gascon G. "A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee with Active Control." PMC8372416.
Scroll
Miami's Pioneers in Stem Cell Therapy
Don't let knee pain decide what you can still do.
Stay active. Keep traveling. Keep playing. Keep living life on your terms.
0+
Years of Experience
0+
Cases Treated
One Goal.
Help You Keep Moving
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are part of the body's natural system for growth, repair, and renewal.
Before your body had bones, joints, muscles, or organs, it began with cells that could develop into specialized tissues and help shape the structures that make up the body. That is what makes stem cells so important in regenerative medicine.
When knee pain becomes chronic, the pain itself is only part of the picture. Changes may also be happening inside the joint involving cartilage, inflammation, surrounding tissue, and overall joint function.
Instead of only asking
"How do we make the pain go away?"
The better question is
"What's actually happening inside the joint, and can we do more than manage the symptoms?"
Clinical studies have reported improvements in outcomes patients care about most, including pain, stiffness, physical function, and quality of life.
For more than 17 years, Miami Stem Cell has followed the evolving science of regenerative medicine.
Umbilical cord-derived MSCs for moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis
Patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis who received umbilical cord-derived MSCs showed improvements in pain, physical function, and quality-of-life scores over six months.
Published 2025
Read the study
Growing support for improved patient-reported outcomes
Found growing support for improved patient-reported outcomes and promising findings related to cartilage repair in knee osteoarthritis.
Published 2026
View the research
Exosome-derived improvements across knee OA outcome measures
"Patients also showed improvements in pain, stiffness, physical function, and total WOMAC scores..." Early human research on umbilical cord MSC-derived exosomes reported encouraging improvements across several knee osteoarthritis outcome measures.
Published 2025
View the research
Reported Benefits in Clinical Studies
Less Knee Pain1,2
Reduced pain scores.
Better Function1,2
Improved movement and daily activity.
Less Stiffness1
Better WOMAC pain, stiffness, and function scores.
Stay More Active3
Improved activity and sports-related function.
Reported across clinical studies of certain mesenchymal stem cell treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Individual results vary.
The Miami Stem Cell Difference
Experience. Transparency. Care that feels personal.
Start the Conversation-
17+ Years of Experience
Long-standing experience in regenerative medicine.
-
8,500+ Cases
Thousands of patients treated across regenerative and pain-focused care.
-
Physician-Led
Medical decisions guided by experienced providers, not a sales script.
-
Research-Informed
Treatment conversations grounded in evolving clinical evidence.
-
Personalized Care
Your condition, goals, lifestyle, and health history all matter.
-
Clear, Honest Guidance
No hype. No unrealistic promises. Just transparent conversations about what may be appropriate for you.
-
Patient First
Because the goal is not simply to treat a knee. It is to help you keep living the life that matters to you.
What our patients are saying.
4.5 out of 5 · 204 Google reviews
"I received stem cell injections in February and for the first time in 30 years I'm pain free still. It's strengthening muscles, repairing old injuries... Thank God for them."
ET
Eric Tessier
Google review · 5 reviews
"I came in just to see if I wanted treatment for my severe arthritis... I can not believe that I am already without pain. I feel like five years ago. I'd rather do non-invasive treatment [than] cuts from knee replacements."
JS
Joanne Swager
Google review · 12 reviews
"I did my research, Miami Stem Cell is excellent as advertised. Super competent and caring staff. Dr. Serpa was fantastic. I'm confident my treatment will yield significant improvement."
KB
Keith Bocchicchio
Google review · Local Guide, 17 reviews
"Excellent experience at Miami Stem Cell. The entire staff was incredibly nice and professional. From start to finish, everyone made me feel comfortable and well cared for."
OA
Oigres A.
Google review · Local Guide, 15 reviews
"I had an exceptional experience with Miami Stem Cell. From the initial consultation, the medical team was incredibly thorough, taking the time to explain the science... and setting realistic expectations."
OG
Ottoniel Gonzalez
Google review · 5 reviews
"Thank you Miami Stem Cell for always having my best interest in mind. This process has been rewarding and revitalizing... Thank you Claudia for being so professional and welcoming each visit."
LR
Lorena D. Rodriguez
Google review · 11 reviews
Stephen Haggarty
Miriam
Julius I.
Jennifer
Datris Scott
Meet Our Core Medical Team
Founding Physician
JS
Dr. John A. Serpa, M.D.
Double-Board Certified Anesthesiologist & Pain Medicine Specialist
35+ Years in Pain Management · Cornell Fellowship-Trained · Regenerative
Medicine Experience
"Dr. Serpa brings decades of pain-management experience to every patient evaluation, combining interventional medicine with regenerative approaches for chronic joint and spine conditions."
Sports Medicine
Dr. Gavin Ajami, M.D.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · Sports Medicine Focus
Orthopedic Research · Musculoskeletal Medicine · Active-Lifestyle Care
"Dr. Ajami's background in rehabilitation, sports medicine, and orthopedic research gives him a strong understanding of how pain and joint problems affect movement, performance, and quality of life."
Nurse Practitioner
NP
Nurse Practitioner
Patient Care & Treatment Coordination
Bio & headshot to be added
Add this team member's credentials and a short line about their role in patient care.
Nurse Practitioner
NP
Nurse Practitioner
Patient Care & Treatment Coordination
Bio & headshot to be added
Add this team member's credentials and a short line about their role in patient care.
Miami Stem Cell is a place of hope.
Hope for the person who is tired of living around their pain. Hope for someone who wants to stay active, travel, play with their grandchildren, or simply keep doing the things that make their life theirs.
That is what drew me to regenerative medicine in the first place: the possibility of making a real difference in someone's quality of life.
But hope has to come with responsibility. It has to come with honesty, experience, quality, and a clear understanding of what is realistically possible for each patient.
That is what Miami Stem Cell is: a place for people who want to feel better, stay active, and keep living life on their terms, without pain becoming the thing that defines what they can and cannot do.
Gracie Murphy
Founder, Miami Stem Cell
Frequently Asked Questions
Honest answers to the questions we hear most, before you ever step into the office.
Depending on the treatment being considered, options may involve cells from your own body, such as bone marrow, or biologic material derived from donated umbilical cord tissue. Your physician should explain exactly what is being used and why.
That depends on your diagnosis, severity of joint changes, overall health, what you have already tried, and what you want to get back to doing. The physician evaluates those factors before making a recommendation.
Patients commonly seek evaluation for knee osteoarthritis, chronic knee pain, cartilage wear, degenerative joint changes, and symptoms that have continued despite conservative treatment.
It varies from patient to patient. Both published research and our experience with patients show that improvements can continue for months after treatment, with some studies reporting benefits through 12 months and beyond.
Many of our patients return to everyday activity relatively quickly, while golf, pickleball, running, or more demanding exercise may require a more gradual return. Your physician will guide you based on your knee and the treatment performed.
Some of our patients are treated once, while others may benefit from additional care over time. It depends on the condition of your knee, how you respond, and what your physician recommends.
Stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis is considered an emerging area of medicine and is not currently FDA-approved specifically for this use.
At Miami Stem Cell, we believe patients deserve a clear understanding of both the science and the regulatory status of the treatments they're considering, without hype, pressure, or unrealistic promises.
Our role is to help you understand what the research shows, what options may be appropriate for your knee, and what you can realistically expect.
For some patients, regenerative medicine may be worth exploring before moving forward with knee replacement.
In published research and in our clinical experience, some patients have seen meaningful improvements in pain and function without immediately progressing to surgery.
Whether that is realistic for you depends on the condition of your knee, how advanced the joint changes are, your overall health, and your goals.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you feel ready to explore treatment, meet directly with a physician to discuss your knee, your goals, and whether regenerative medicine may be appropriate for you.
Reserve a Physician ConsultationConsultation deposit required.
Want to Talk It Through First?
If you'd like more clarity around the treatment, cost, financing, or what to expect, start with a conversation with our team.
Speak With Our Team- 1 Cao M, Ou Z, Sheng R, et al. "Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 2025;16:122.
- 2 Tian X, Qu Z, Cao Y, Zhang B. "Relative efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells for osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2024;15:1366297.
- 3 Ruane JJ, Ross A, Zigmont V, McClure D, Gascon G. "A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee with Active Control." PMC8372416.