PRP is a concentrate of platelets from your own blood. Stem cell therapy uses living cells; at our clinic, your own fat-derived (adipose) mesenchymal stem cells. Exosomes are tiny packets released by cells. Exosomes are not cells: they cannot divide or form new tissue.[7]
None of the three is FDA-approved for joint pain or the other conditions people usually ask about, and there are no FDA-approved exosome products.[9]
What we offer: Innovations Stem Cell Center offers your own same-day, fat-derived stem cells. We do not offer exosomes. We use PRP only for hearing loss and tinnitus.
New Patient Inquiries (Call or Text), Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM. Stem cell therapy is not FDA-approved for these uses and is not covered by insurance. Individual results vary.
These three treatments are often marketed together, but they are very different. Here is a plain comparison.
| Question | PRP (platelet-rich plasma) | Stem cells (our approach: your own fat) | Exosomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Your blood, spun down to concentrate platelets and their growth factors | Living mesenchymal stem cells collected from your own fat | Tiny vesicles that cells release, carrying proteins and genetic material |
| Contains living cells? | Platelets, but no stem cells | Yes | No. Exosomes are not cells |
| Whose biology? | Yours | Yours (autologous) | Usually from donor cells grown in a lab |
| How it is prepared | A blood draw and a centrifuge, in about an hour | A small liposuction under local anesthesia, prepared and given the same day | Manufactured off-site; methods vary widely |
| FDA status | Devices that prepare PRP are FDA-cleared; injecting PRP for joint pain is an off-label use[2] | Not FDA-approved for joint, nerve, autoimmune or lung conditions[10] | No FDA-approved exosome products[9] |
| Research stage | Many trials, with mixed results[1] | Early randomized trials; larger studies needed[6] | Mostly lab and animal research |
| Offered at our clinic? | Only as PRP ear injections for hearing loss and tinnitus; not for joints | Yes: your own fat-derived cells, used the same day | No |
This table is general information, not medical advice. Individual results vary.
PRP starts with a small blood draw. The blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets, which carry growth factors involved in clotting and tissue repair. The concentrate is then injected into the area being treated, such as a tendon or joint. PRP contains no stem cells.
There is no single standard recipe for PRP. Platelet counts, white blood cell content and the number of injections vary from clinic to clinic, which makes studies hard to compare.[2]
The evidence is mixed. In a 2021 randomized trial of 288 adults with knee osteoarthritis, PRP injections did not lead to a significant difference in knee pain or cartilage volume at 12 months compared with saline placebo injections.[1] Other studies, especially in tendon injuries, have reported benefits. PRP is simple and quick to prepare.
Many people try PRP for joint pain before considering other options. For what joint PRP involves and where it falls short, read PRP for joint pain: what to know.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult cells that can develop into bone, cartilage and fat cells in the lab and release signals that help regulate inflammation.[3] Fat (adipose) tissue is one of the richest sources of MSCs in adults.[4]
This is the treatment we offer. At our Dallas clinic, we collect a small amount of your fat under local anesthesia, prepare the cells in our office and give them back to you the same day. Our process yields about 100 million cells, and each patient’s cells are tested for count and viability. They are never frozen.
Research is still early. A small randomized trial in knee osteoarthritis reported less pain and better function at 12 months after adipose-derived MSC injections compared with usual care,[6] and a 2020 review found that MSCs given by IV have appeared safe in clinical trials.[5] Larger trials are needed.
Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle: a tiny, membrane-bound packet that cells release to carry proteins, fats and genetic material to other cells. Scientists now generally use the broader term “extracellular vesicles,” because it is hard to prove which kind of vesicle a product actually contains.[7][8]
Because exosomes are not cells, they cannot divide, multiply or become new tissue. Products sold as exosomes are usually made from donor cells, such as umbilical cord or placental cells, grown in a lab. Methods and contents vary widely, and international research guidelines call for careful testing and reporting that many commercial products do not provide.[7]
The FDA states there are currently no FDA-approved exosome products. In 2019 it warned of serious adverse events in patients in Nebraska who were treated with unapproved products marketed as containing exosomes, and it regulates exosomes used to treat disease as drugs and biological products.[9]
Researchers have also studied adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) combined with platelet-rich plasma, especially for bone regeneration. The idea is that PRP’s growth factors may support the cells’ growth and signaling. This section summarizes published research only. Innovations Stem Cell Center does not offer PRP combined with stem cells.
A 2015 lab and animal study reported that PRP increased ADSC growth and that the combination supported new bone formation.[11] The same research group published a step-by-step method for combining ADSCs and PRP for bone regeneration in 2018.[12] These findings have not been confirmed in patient trials.
A small 2013 study of patients with knee osteoarthritis who received fat pad-derived MSCs with PRP reported improvement in symptoms.[13] The study had no control group, so it cannot show whether the cells, the PRP or other factors made the difference.
Combination approaches remain investigational and are not FDA-approved. We do not offer them. Individual results vary.
Two short videos from our clinic. The second features Dr. Bill Johnson on whether PRP, exosomes or other add-ons should be combined with stem cell treatment.
We do not offer exosomes, and our only PRP treatment is for hearing loss and tinnitus. Stem cell therapy is not FDA-approved for these uses. Individual results vary.
The right choice depends on your condition, how long you have had it, what you have already tried, your budget and your goals. Questions worth asking any clinic:
Not sure where you fit? Read who may qualify for stem cell therapy, or browse our stem cell guide.
Innovations Stem Cell Center was named a “Top Stem Cell Therapy Treatments Company” by Life Sciences Review in 2025 and again in 2026 (2025 feature, 2026 feature). An award reflects the publication’s editorial review, not a prediction of any patient’s outcome.
Consultations are free, with no hidden or facility fees. Financing is available. Out-of-town patients receive a complimentary hotel stay for themselves and a companion. Looking for PRP ear injections for hearing loss or tinnitus? See our Hearing & Tinnitus Recovery Center.
PRP is a concentrate of platelets from your own blood and contains no stem cells. Stem cell therapy uses living cells; at our clinic, your own fat-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Exosomes are tiny vesicles released by cells and are not cells themselves. None is FDA-approved for joint pain, and there are no FDA-approved exosome products. Innovations Stem Cell Center offers your own fat-derived stem cells, does not offer exosomes, and uses PRP only for hearing loss and tinnitus.
No. Exosomes are small packets that cells release to carry proteins and genetic material. They contain no living cells and cannot divide or form new tissue. Products sold as exosomes are usually made from donor cells grown in a lab.
No. The FDA states there are currently no FDA-approved exosome products, and it has warned of serious adverse events in patients treated with unapproved products marketed as containing exosomes.
Research has not settled this. A large 2021 trial found PRP did no better than placebo for knee osteoarthritis pain at 12 months, while early trials of fat-derived stem cells have been small. We do not offer PRP for knees or other joints. Dr. Johnson can explain at a free consultation whether our stem cell treatment may be an option for your knee. Individual results vary.
Researchers have studied adipose-derived stem cells combined with PRP, mostly for bone regeneration in lab and animal studies, plus small early studies in knee osteoarthritis. These approaches remain investigational, and Innovations Stem Cell Center does not offer PRP combined with stem cells.
We use your own cells. The exception is our autism program for patients 15 and older, where a parent’s donated cells may be used in some cases. We do not offer exosomes.
We use PRP only as ear injections for hearing loss and tinnitus, starting with an in-office hearing test. We do not offer PRP for joints. Our stem cell treatment for joints is a flat $16,500 for up to 4 joints plus the IV dose, with acoustic wave therapy included. Spine treatment is $19,000, and a second treatment, if needed, is $10,000. Consultations are free.
Not for the conditions we treat. Our treatment is not FDA-approved for these uses, and our protocols are reviewed by an IRB (Institutional Review Board).
Tell us about your condition and what you have tried. We’ll explain how these options differ and let you know whether our stem cell treatment may be a fit for you.
Stem cell therapy and PRP are not FDA-approved for these uses. This page is for general information and is not medical advice. Individual results vary. Medically reviewed by Dr. Bill Johnson, a physician since 1983, October 2026.