Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Bill Johnson, MD — Founder & Medical Director · Updated October 2026
🏆 Named “Top Stem Cell Therapy Treatments Company” for 2025 and 2026 by Life Sciences Review
🦴 Clinical Focus: Outpatient treatment with your own fat-derived (adipose) cells for arthritis and injuries of the knee, hip and shoulder and of smaller joints such as the elbows, wrists, ankles, hands and feet, with the joints that need treatment covered by one flat fee. No new MRI required: we request your existing medical records, and Dr. Johnson performs a high-resolution ultrasound joint inspection on the day of treatment.
Out-of-Town Patient?
Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis: A Non-Surgical Option Before Joint Replacement
When chronic pain from knee osteoarthritis, hip degeneration, or rotator cuff issues limits your mobility, you don’t have to jump straight to joint replacement surgery. At Innovations Stem Cell Center’s Center for Non-Surgical Joint Preservation in Dallas, Texas, we offer a non-surgical option for patients across Dallas–Fort Worth: stem cell therapy for arthritis and joint pain using your own fat-derived cells. Many patients have more than one painful joint, so we treat the joints that need it (up to 4) in one visit for one flat fee. Learn more about stem cell therapy for knee pain in Dallas, stem cell therapy for hip pain, shoulder pain treatment, and back pain.
Rather than cutting away natural bone and tissue to install metal implants, our streamlined outpatient joint protocols harness your body’s own live cellular mechanisms to reduce joint inflammation, support tissue recovery, and preserve your natural joint architecture.
Under the direct care of Founder & Medical Director Dr. Bill Johnson, MD, your treatment is completed in a single 4-hour clinic visit. No new MRI is required: we request your existing medical records, and Dr. Johnson performs a real-time ultrasound inspection of your shoulder, knee, or hip during your pre-op assessment. Using high-resolution ultrasound guidance, he places your own fat-derived (adipose) cells, typically 100 million live cells or even more (counts may vary), into the affected joint. Every treatment also includes an IV dose and acoustic wave therapy (AWT).
Key Highlights of Our Joint Preservation Protocol
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Direct Care by Dr. Bill Johnson, MD: Your entire 4-hour procedure is personally managed and performed by our Founder & Medical Director, who has practiced regenerative medicine since late 2012 (nearly 14 years).
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No New MRI Required: We request your existing medical records, then inspect and map your joint structure using high-resolution ultrasound during your pre-op evaluation on the day of treatment.
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Drive Yourself Home, Little Downtime: Because treatment is minimally invasive and performed under local anesthesia, most patients do not need a designated driver and can drive themselves to and from the clinic, with little to no downtime.
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Early Relief for Many: In our clinic’s experience, many patients report initial relief from stiffness or swelling within about 36 hours, with further changes over weeks to months. Results vary.
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Your Own Fresh Cells: We collect and process your own fat-derived (adipose) cells on-site the same day, typically 100 million live cells or even more (counts may vary), rather than using an off-the-shelf donor product.
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One Flat Fee: $16,500 covers treatment of the joints that need it in one visit, always including an IV dose and acoustic wave therapy (AWT). Financing with 24- to 60-month options is available.
Why Choose Non-Surgical Joint Preservation Over Surgery?
While total joint replacement surgery involves cutting away bone, opening the joint capsule, and installing artificial metal or ceramic implants, non-surgical joint preservation works with your body, with the goal of reducing chronic inflammation, supporting joint function, and preserving your natural joint anatomy. It isn’t right for every joint, and results vary.
| Feature / Consideration | Traditional Joint Replacement Surgery | Non-Surgical Joint Preservation (Innovations) |
| Surgical Incisions & Trauma | Invasive cutting of muscle, tendon, and bone | Minimally invasive outpatient protocol |
| Time Commitments | Multi-day hospital stay & months of physical therapy | Single 4-hour office appointment |
| Driving & Downtime | Weeks to months of restricted driving & recovery | Drive yourself home with little to no downtime |
| Diagnostic Requirements | Imaging (often MRI or CT) and pre-op clearances are typically required | No new MRI: existing medical records review plus a day-of in-office ultrasound joint inspection |
| What to Expect After | Months of post-surgical rehabilitation | In our clinic, many patients report initial relief within about 36 hours; results vary |
| Cell Source | Not applicable (joint surfaces are replaced with implants) | Your own fat-derived (adipose) cells, typically 100 million live cells or even more (counts may vary) |
Key Advantages of Our 4-Hour Joint Preservation Protocol
Keep Your Natural Joint: Artificial implants can wear out or loosen over time, and some patients eventually need revision surgery. Joint preservation aims to calm inflammation and support the joint tissues you already have, and some patients choose it to try to put off joint replacement. It isn’t right for every joint, and results vary.
No New MRI Needed: You don’t need to wait weeks for a new MRI. We request your existing medical records, and Dr. Bill Johnson evaluates your shoulder, knee, or hip joint directly using high-resolution ultrasound during your pre-op assessment on the day of treatment.
Get Back to Your Routine: Because treatment uses local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance without surgical incisions, most patients don’t need a designated driver or extended time off work. Most patients drive themselves to and from our Dallas clinic and return to light daily activities within about a day.
Anti-Inflammatory Signaling: Research suggests mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) release growth factors and signaling molecules that can influence joint inflammation. In our clinic’s experience, many patients report less stiffness within about 36 hours; results vary.
Joint Conditions We Evaluate: Knee, Hip, Shoulder & Small-Joint Arthritis
Whether you are dealing with chronic cartilage wear, bone-on-bone arthritis, or old joint injuries, our ultrasound-guided protocol places your own fat-derived (adipose) cells directly into the affected joint space. Whether treatment is appropriate is decided case by case at your consultation.
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Knee Preservation (Osteoarthritis, Meniscus Tears & Cartilage Loss):
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The Challenge: Knee arthritis often leads to painful swelling, stiffness, and bone-on-bone friction when walking or climbing stairs.
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Our Approach: Dr. Johnson uses real-time ultrasound to map the knee joint, placing your own fat-derived (adipose) cells into the joint and around surrounding structures with the goal of calming chronic inflammation and supporting joint function. It’s an option some patients consider before knee replacement, though it isn’t right for every knee.
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Shoulder Preservation (Rotator Cuff Tears, Bursitis & Glenohumeral Arthritis):
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The Challenge: Shoulder pain from rotator cuff wear, labral fraying, or chronic bursitis restricts overhead reach, lifting, and restful sleep.
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Our Approach: Using ultrasound guidance, Dr. Johnson locates the irritated tendon or joint capsule and places your own fat-derived cells there, with the goal of calming inflammation and supporting shoulder function without rotator cuff surgery. Many patients report better reach and sleep; results vary.
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Hip Preservation (Labral Wear, Bursitis & Femoroacetabular Arthritis):
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The Challenge: Deep hip joint pain, groin stiffness, and trochanteric bursitis can make walking, standing, or driving excruciating.
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Our Approach: For patients who want to explore options before hip replacement surgery, our ultrasound-guided hip protocol targets the deep joint space and inflamed bursa tissue, with the goal of easing deep joint aching and improving mobility. Results vary.
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Small Joints (Elbows, Wrists, Ankles, Hands & Feet):
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The Challenge: Arthritis and old injuries in the smaller joints can make gripping, typing, opening jars, walking and standing painful.
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Our Approach: Dr. Johnson uses ultrasound guidance to place your own fat-derived cells into the affected small joint, with the goal of calming inflammation and supporting function. Small joints can be treated at the same visit as larger joints, under the same flat fee. Results vary.
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No New MRI Required: Records Review + In-Office Ultrasound Inspection
Instead of waiting weeks for a new MRI appointment, we streamline your care:
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Records Review + On-Site Ultrasound: Before your visit, we request your existing medical records. During your 4-hour clinic visit, Dr. Bill Johnson conducts a high-resolution ultrasound examination directly on your shoulder, knee, or hip.
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Real-Time Structural Mapping: We visually inspect joint space narrowing, inflammation, and soft tissue integrity right in the room.
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Guided Placement: Using that ultrasound image, Dr. Johnson guides the placement of your own fat-derived cells into the joint space.
Which Joints Can Be Treated in One Visit?
- Common combinations: both knees; both knees and a hip; a knee and a shoulder; or a hip and an ankle.
- Joints we evaluate: knees, hips and shoulders, plus smaller joints such as elbows, wrists, ankles, hands and feet. Dr. Johnson decides what is appropriate for you at your consultation.
- Follow-up treatments, if needed, are $10,000.
- Back and neck (spine) treatment is priced separately from the joint-treatment fee. See the Back & Spine card below.
Knees
Knee osteoarthritis, meniscus wear, and cartilage loss can make walking and stairs painful. See how we treat knee arthritis with your own fat-derived cells, what to expect, and patient stories.
Shoulders
Rotator cuff wear, bursitis, and shoulder arthritis can limit reaching, lifting, and sleep. Learn how ultrasound-guided treatment with your own cells works for the shoulder.
Hips
Hip arthritis, labral wear, and bursitis can make walking, standing, and driving painful. Learn about a non-surgical option some patients consider before hip replacement.
Back & Spine
Chronic low back and neck pain from disc and joint degeneration. Spine treatment is priced separately from the joint-treatment fee; see the back pain page for details.
Your Own Cells vs. Cortisone and Gel Injections
Many patients seeking relief for knee, hip, or shoulder pain have already tried cortisone shots or hyaluronic acid (“gel”) injections. These options can ease symptoms for a while, but their effects are usually temporary.
- Cortisone Injections (Temporary Relief): Cortisone is a steroid that temporarily reduces inflammation and pain. Some research suggests repeated cortisone injections may be associated with cartilage loss and tendon weakening over time.
- Hyaluronic Acid / Gel Shots (Lubrication): Gel injections act as a temporary lubricant inside the joint. They can ease friction and stiffness for a while, but they do not contain live cells.
- Your Own Fat-Derived Cells (Typically 100 Million+ Live Cells; Counts May Vary): Our protocol uses your own fat-derived (adipose) cells, collected and processed the same day. Adipose tissue is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells, with studies reporting higher yields than bone marrow (Fraser et al., Trends in Biotechnology, 2006).
Why Live Autologous Cells Matter for Joint Preservation
- Cell Count: Each treatment typically places 100 million live cells or even more (counts may vary) from your own fat tissue, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), into the joint.
- Cell Signaling: Research shows MSCs secrete growth factors (including VEGF and TGF-beta) that are studied for their roles in blood-vessel signaling and inflammation. How these effects translate into patient outcomes is still being studied.
- Your Own Cells, No Donor Tissue: Because the cells come from your own body during the same visit, no donor tissue or donor matching is involved. As with any procedure, there are some risks, such as soreness, bruising, or infection at the collection or injection site. Dr. Johnson reviews these with you at your consultation.
Patient Stories: Knee, Hip & Shoulder
Hear from patients who chose a non-surgical option for knee, hip, and shoulder pain. Individual experiences are shared with permission; results vary and no specific result is guaranteed.
Knee patient story
Hip: options before replacement
Shoulder: rotator cuff options
Cost: One Flat Fee for the Joints That Need Treatment + Financing
| Joint Preservation Package | Total Investment | Estimated Monthly Financing | What’s Included |
| Several Joints, One Visit | $16,500 flat | Financing available | Treatment of the joints that need it, fat collection and same-day cell processing, ultrasound-guided placement, IV dose, acoustic wave therapy (AWT), and follow-up visits/check-ins |
| Follow-Up Joint Treatment (only if needed) | $10,000 | Ask our team | A repeat treatment, if you and Dr. Johnson decide one is appropriate |
Flexible Financing Designed Around Your Budget
- Financing Available: Contact us directly and we’ll help you apply.
- Simple Application: Apply online in a few steps; approval and terms are set by the lender.
- One Flat Fee: $16,500 covers the joints that need treatment in one visit, including the IV dose and AWT, with no per-joint add-ons. Follow-up treatments, if needed, are $10,000.
Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis & Joint Pain: FAQs
Below are answers to common questions about our non-surgical knee, hip, and shoulder preservation protocols at Innovations Stem Cell Center in Dallas, TX.
- Q: How does stem cell therapy for arthritis work?
- A: We collect a small amount of your own fat tissue under local anesthesia, process it the same day to concentrate your fat-derived (adipose) cells, and place them into the affected joint with ultrasound guidance. Every treatment also includes an IV dose and acoustic wave therapy (AWT). Research suggests these cells release signals that can influence inflammation. Many patients report less pain and stiffness over time; results vary.
- Q: Do I need an MRI before treatment?
- A: No new MRI is required. We’ll request your existing medical records, and Dr. Johnson performs a high-resolution ultrasound inspection of your joint on the day of treatment.
- Q: What is recovery like? Can I drive myself home?
- A: Treatment is done under local anesthesia, so most patients drive themselves home and return to light daily activities within about a day. Some soreness or bruising at the collection and injection sites is common for a few days.
- Q: Is stem cell therapy for joints safe?
- A: Because the cells come from your own body, there is no donor tissue involved. As with any procedure, there are some risks, such as soreness, bruising, or infection at the collection or injection site. Dr. Johnson reviews your health history and these risks with you at your consultation.
- Q: How soon will I notice a difference?
- A: In our clinic’s experience, many patients report initial relief within about 36 hours, and changes often continue over the following weeks to months. Results vary, and no specific result is guaranteed.
- Q: How much does stem cell therapy for arthritis cost, and is financing available?
- A: $16,500 flat covers treatment of the joints that need it in one visit, always including an IV dose and acoustic wave therapy (AWT), plus follow-up visits. Follow-up treatments, if needed, are $10,000. Back and neck (spine) treatment is priced separately. Financing is available through a third-party lender, with 24- to 60-month options; approval and terms are set by the lender.
- Q: Can you treat multiple joints in one visit?
- A: Yes. We treat the joints that need it in a single visit for one flat fee of $16,500, for example both knees, a knee and a shoulder, or a wrist and an ankle. Dr. Johnson decides which joints are appropriate at your consultation.
- Q: Does stem cell therapy regrow cartilage?
- A: We don’t promise cartilage regrowth. Research on cartilage effects is ongoing. Our goal is to calm inflammation and support joint function, and many patients report less pain and better mobility; results vary.
- Q: Who is not a good candidate?
- A: Stem cell therapy isn’t right for everyone. Patients with severe joint deformity, active infection, certain cancers, or uncontrolled medical conditions may not be candidates, and some joints are better served by surgery. Dr. Johnson will tell you honestly at your consultation.
Travel Perks for Out-of-Town Patients
Because many patients look for a non-surgical joint option they can’t find close to home, over half of our patients travel to us from outside the Dallas–Fort Worth area. To make your trip simple and comfortable:
- Complimentary Hotel Stay: Out-of-town patients receive complimentary hotel accommodations near our Dallas clinic for themselves and a companion.
- Convenient Access: Our clinic is located just minutes from major Dallas-Fort Worth airports (DFW and Dallas Love Field), making travel straightforward for out-of-state guests.
- Short Stay: Because treatment is a minimally invasive 4-hour outpatient appointment, most out-of-town patients fly home the following day, and some fly home the same day.
Start Your Non-Surgical Joint Treatment in Dallas, Texas
If knee, hip, shoulder, or other joint pain is limiting your life, you have options before surgery. At Innovations Stem Cell Center, Dr. Bill Johnson, MD, has practiced regenerative medicine since late 2012 (nearly 14 years), helping patients with arthritis and joint pain explore treatment with their own cells.
Whether you live in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex or are traveling from out of state, your first step is a free consultation with transparent, flat pricing. Call or text (972) 893-9849.
Have questions about candidacy, travel, or pricing? Pick a time below to book your free consultation, or call or text (972) 893-9849.
Innovations Stem Cell Center
Dallas, Texas | Serving Nationwide & International Patients
Call or Text Us: (972) 893-9849
