Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Pain in Dallas: An Alternative to Knee Replacement
Innovations Stem Cell Center was named Top Stem Cell Treatment Center In The USA by Life Sciences Review Magazine (2025 and 2026).
If knee pain from arthritis, a worn meniscus or an old injury is cutting into your walks, golf, pickleball, travel or time with the grandkids, and you’ve been told knee replacement is the next step, you may have another option first. Our Dallas clinic treats active adults 50+ with their own fat-derived stem cells, injected into the knee, plus an IV dose and acoustic wave therapy (AWT), in an outpatient treatment day that averages about 4 hours under local anesthesia. Dr. Bill Johnson does the fat harvest and the ultrasound-guided knee injection himself, and his medical staff deliver the AWT. The first treatment is $16,500, AWT included. One flat fee covers up to 4 joints that need treatment, such as both knees, or a knee plus a hip, with the IV dose included. We only inject joints that have a real problem; we don’t inject a healthy joint just because the fee would allow it. Many patients report improvement. Individual results vary.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of adult stem cells/SVF for any disorder, including knee osteoarthritis.
Watch Dr. Bill Johnson on Good Morning Texas explain how stem cell therapy for knee pain works.
Is It Time for a Knee Replacement, or Is There Another Step First?
It may be getting harder to walk, climb stairs or get out of a chair, and pain medications, anti-inflammatories and steroid shots may have helped only for a while. Knee replacement can help many people, but it’s major surgery: it removes bone, uses an artificial implant, carries risks such as infection and blood clots, and usually means weeks to months of rehab. Implants can also wear out over time, which may mean another surgery later, especially if you have the first one in your 50s. Many of our patients want to try a less invasive option first, especially if they’re otherwise healthy and active. Stem cell therapy may help some patients delay knee replacement. We can’t promise that, and we’ll tell you honestly at your consult if your knee is better suited to surgery.
Knee Conditions We Treat
Knee pain can come from a variety of conditions affecting the joint, cartilage, ligaments, and surrounding tissues. Stem cell therapy is often considered for patients with chronic or degenerative knee conditions.
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Meniscus tears (see our page on stem cell therapy for meniscus tears, including cost)
- Cartilage damage
- Chronic knee inflammation
- ACL and MCL injuries
- Degenerative joint disease
- “Bone-on-bone” knees
- Overuse and wear-and-tear conditions
Knee Osteoarthritis
A common cause of chronic knee pain involving cartilage breakdown and inflammation.
Meniscus Tears
Damage to the cartilage that cushions the knee joint, often causing pain, swelling, and limited movement.
Ligament Injuries
Injuries to stabilizing structures like the ACL or MCL that can lead to instability and pain.
Cartilage Damage
Wear or injury to joint surfaces that can contribute to long-term discomfort and reduced mobility.
Stem Cell Therapy vs. Knee Replacement vs. Steroid Injections
Many patients considering stem cell therapy for knee pain have been told they may need knee replacement surgery. While surgery is sometimes necessary, others explore less invasive options first.
Understanding the differences can help you make a more informed decision.
- Knee replacement surgery: major surgery · hospital or surgery-center stay · weeks to months of rehab · artificial joint implant · surgical risks such as infection and blood clots · usually covered by insurance, minus your deductible
- Steroid injections: minimally invasive · short-term relief · do not repair tissue · repeated treatments often needed
- Stem cell therapy: minimally invasive, under local anesthesia · uses your own cells · aims to calm inflammation and support tissue repair · most patients resume normal activity within a day or two · $16,500 flat fee with AWT, not covered by insurance or Medicare
Other Non-Surgical Options to Discuss With Your Doctor
- Physical therapy and exercise: stronger muscles around the knee can improve stability and reduce pain.
- Weight management: less body weight means less stress on the knee.
- Medications: NSAIDs and other physician-recommended medications may help manage symptoms.
- Activity changes and supports: limiting high-impact activity and using braces or orthotics.
- Steroid injections: may give short-term relief.
- Hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation): aims to improve joint lubrication.
- PRP: concentrated platelets from your own blood. See PRP therapy for joint pain.
Results of these options vary from person to person. Surgery may still be the right choice when pain severely limits daily life, conservative care no longer helps, or structural damage is severe.
How Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Pain May Work
We use stem cells from your own adipose (fat) tissue, one of the body’s richest sources of mesenchymal stem cells. Research suggests these cells may help by calming inflammation, releasing growth factors and signaling molecules, and supporting tissue repair and healthier joint function. Unlike steroid injections, which mainly reduce pain and inflammation temporarily, stem cell therapy aims to support the body’s own healing environment. These effects are still being studied, and individual results vary.
Why We Use Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
Our adipose-derived process typically yields about 100 million cells per treatment, compared with roughly 100,000 typically obtained from bone marrow. We count the cells for every patient.
One Flat Fee for Up to 4 Joints
Many adults with knee arthritis have more than one sore joint. Our $16,500 flat fee, AWT included, covers up to 4 joints in the same visit, such as both knees, or a knee plus a hip, along with an IV dose. It covers only joints that actually need treatment: Dr. Johnson examines each joint, and we don’t inject a joint that has no problem. The IV portion delivers cells throughout the body. Individual results vary. A second treatment, if needed, is $10,000, including AWT. Hip hurting too? See stem cell therapy for hip pain.
Your Knee Treatment, Step by Step
Everything happens in our Dallas office under local anesthesia. You’re awake the whole time. The treatment day averages about 4 hours.
- Step 1, Consultation and evaluation: Dr. Bill Johnson reviews your knee pain, history, imaging and prior treatments and tells you honestly whether you’re a good candidate. Virtual consults are available before you travel.
- Step 2, Fat harvest: Dr. Johnson collects a small amount of fat from your abdomen or flank with a mini-liposuction technique under local anesthesia.
- Step 3, Processing: your fat is processed in our on-site lab to concentrate the cells (the stromal vascular fraction) while you relax.
- Step 4, Knee injection + IV: Dr. Johnson injects the cells into your knee joint himself, using ultrasound imaging to guide the needle, and part of the dose is given by IV. If other joints need treatment (up to 4 in total), he injects those the same day.
- Step 5, Acoustic wave therapy (AWT): Dr. Johnson’s medical staff deliver non-surgical AWT to the treated area. Innovations brought AWT to the USA from Switzerland in 2005.
- Scheduling: local patients can split AWT sessions over several days, and out-of-town patients get everything in one day and travel home the next morning.
Recovery After Knee Stem Cell Therapy
- No general anesthesia and no hospital stay
- Mild soreness at the harvest and injection sites for a few days
- Most patients resume normal activities within a day or two; we recommend skipping vigorous exercise for a few days
- Any changes build gradually over weeks to months
Liposuction and injections are minimally invasive, but they carry risks such as bruising, swelling, soreness and infection. We’ll go over these with you.
What Results Can You Expect?
Many patients report improvement: less knee pain, better mobility and an easier time staying active. Some notice a change within days as inflammation settles; others improve gradually over several months, and some choose a second treatment 6–12 months later. Not everyone improves. Individual results vary. Our goal is to help patients delay more invasive procedures when that’s a reasonable choice.
Still have questions about your knee pain?
Every patient is different. The best way to find out if stem cell therapy is right for you is through a personalized consultation.
Is Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Pain Right for You?
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Have chronic knee pain or arthritis that hasn’t responded well to other treatments, or you have early symptoms and want to act now
- Want to delay or avoid partial or total knee replacement
- Are medically stable enough for a minor procedure under local anesthesia (for some chronically ill patients we may ask your doctor for surgical clearance)
- Are not taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), or can stop them for two to four days around the procedure; when necessary, some can be continued. Discuss this with Dr. Johnson before your procedure.
- Have had inadequate relief, or unwanted side effects, from knee medications
Stem cell therapy isn’t right for everyone. Severe, bone-on-bone knees may respond less, and Dr. Johnson will discuss that with you openly.
What Causes Knee Pain?
Knee pain occurs when an injury or chronic condition impacts the ligaments, tendons, fluid sacs (bursae), bones, joints, and cartilage around the knee. Your knees play an important role in your day-to-day activities. So, when something isn’t quite right, you’re almost certain to notice. The most common causes include:
- Ligament injuries — including ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), MCL (medial collateral ligament), and PCL (posterior cruciate ligament)
- Fractures
- Torn, damaged, or worn meniscus (the cartilage pad in your knee)
- Knee bursitis (inflammation of the soft tissues around the knee)
- Patellar (knee cap) tendinitis
- Arthritis and other chronic conditions
Knee Pain Treatment Options
While some knee pain can be eased with rest, ice, compression, and elevation, more severe conditions may require minor or major surgery. At least, that used to be the only two options. Now stem cells are being used as an alternative (to some knee surgeries). This includes surgeries up to partial and total knee replacement surgeries.
Cost of Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Pain
$16,500 for the first treatment, AWT included. One flat fee covers up to 4 joints that need treatment, such as both knees, or a knee plus a hip, with the IV dose included. We only inject joints that have a real problem; we don’t inject a healthy joint just because the fee would allow it.
Your investment includes: ✅ Complete medical evaluation ✅ Stem cell harvest & processing (about 100 million cells) ✅ Ultrasound-guided knee injection by Dr. Johnson + IV dose ✅ Up to 4 joints that need treatment ✅ AWT by his medical staff ✅ Follow-up care
Second treatment (if needed, often 6–12 months later): $10,000, including AWT. Stem cell therapy is not covered by insurance, including Medicare. Financing is available. Contact us directly and we’ll help you apply. See full pricing.
Flexible Payment Plan Options
Financing is available. Contact us directly and we’ll help you apply.
✅ Financing is available for all credit types
Our team will guide you through the financing process to make treatment easy and stress-free.
Patient Story
This patient came to us after being told they needed a knee replacement and shares their experience in the video below. Every patient’s experience is different. Individual results vary.
Meet Dr. Bill Johnson
Dr. Bill Johnson has been a physician since 1983 and is board-certified in internal medicine. He has offered stem cell therapy at Innovations since late 2012 (nearly 14 years) and personally performs the fat harvest and the ultrasound-guided knee injection. His medical staff deliver the AWT. Dr. Johnson has appeared on Good Morning Texas and The Doctors. Read Dr. Johnson’s bio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stem cells help knee arthritis?
Many patients report less pain and better mobility after treatment, but results vary, and research on fat-derived cells for knee arthritis is still developing. At your consult, Dr. Johnson will tell you honestly whether you’re a good candidate. Individual results vary.
Can stem cell therapy help me avoid knee replacement?
It may help some patients delay or avoid surgery, but we can’t promise that. If your knee is better suited to replacement, we’ll tell you.
How much does it cost?
$16,500 for the first treatment, AWT included. The flat fee covers up to 4 joints that need treatment, such as both knees or a knee plus a hip, plus an IV dose. We don’t inject a joint that has no problem. A second treatment, if needed, is $10,000, including AWT. Financing is available. Contact us directly and we’ll help you apply.
Does Medicare or insurance cover it?
No. Stem cell therapy is not covered by insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid; it’s a cash-pay service.
Does it work for bone-on-bone knees?
Some patients with advanced arthritis report improvement, but severe, bone-on-bone knees may respond less. Dr. Johnson will review your imaging and discuss what’s realistic for you. Individual results vary.
How long does the treatment take, and how many visits will I need?
The treatment day averages about 4 hours. Local patients can split AWT sessions over several days, and out-of-town patients get everything in one day and travel home the next morning. Some patients choose a second treatment 6–12 months later.
Who performs the treatment, and is AWT included?
Dr. Bill Johnson performs the fat harvest and the knee injection himself, using ultrasound imaging. His medical staff deliver the acoustic wave therapy (AWT), which is included in the $16,500.
Is the procedure painful?
Most patients report mild discomfort. We use local anesthesia for the fat harvest and the knee injection, and you’re awake the whole time.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If knee pain is limiting you and you’d like to try a non-surgical option first, schedule your consultation today. We’ll review your symptoms, walk you through the treatment process, answer your questions, and help with financing if needed. There’s no obligation.
📞 Call us at 972-893-9849 or request a consultation online. Appointments are available Monday through Friday at our Dallas location.
Related pages: Meniscus tears · Hip pain · Arthritis · Cost & financing
