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Cell Therapy
UNDERSTANDING THE SCIENCE
What is Cellular therapy?
Orthobiologics can supercharge your recovery from musculoskeletal injuries by enhancing your body’s natural repair mechanisms, as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) affirms, That means less downtime, less pain, and better results.
overview
What Are Orthobiologics?
Think of cellular therapies as the body’s master repair crew. These dynamic, regenerative cells have a rare superpower: they can transform into many different types of tissue—bone, cartilage, muscle, and more. They also release growth factors and signaling molecules that reduce inflammation and speed up healing.
In the world of orthopedic and sports medicine, this makes stem cells a game-changer. Instead of enduring a lengthy recovery from surgery, patients can now tap into their own biology to restore function and fight pain naturally.


Mesenchymal cells (MSCs) are the MVPs of regenerative medicine. Found in bone marrow, fat tissue, and even umbilical cords, MSCs are multipotent, meaning they can morph into a variety of specialized cells—osteoblasts (bone), chondrocytes (cartilage), and myocytes (muscle), to name a few. They also act like microscopic medics, releasing proteins that calm inflammation, attract other healing cells, and support tissue regeneration.
A review in Cells International called MSCs “one of the most promising cell types for musculoskeletal repair,” with proven potential in treating orthopedic injuries, degenerative joint disease, and more.
When it comes to cellular therapy, not all options are created equal. Orthobiologics are not regulated by the FDA. Because of this, it’s the responsibility of the consumer (you) to know the origin and quality of the cells they’re receiving—and many clinics take advantage of this.
Clinics claim to offer cell injections, or infusions; however, the products they’re selling are actually derived from umbilical (fetal) tissue—these products often fall short in both safety and effectiveness. Not only is the quality of these cells poor, and unmatched with your own cells, but when tested, they often contain no actual living stem cells!

UNDERSTANDING THE SCIENCE
What is our approach?
At Compass, we only use autologous cells, or cells derived from your tissue. Using your own cells (autologous therapy) is the gold standard.
A 2021 analysis from the Journal of Translational Medicine confirmed that autologous cell therapies consistently outperform off-the-shelf alternatives in clinical results.
Maximum Safety
Your body recognizes its own cells, dramatically reducing any risk of immune rejection or adverse reactions. As noted by the FDA, autologous cell use involves fewer regulatory concerns.
Potency & Freshness
Cells harvested on-site are fresh, viable, and loaded with healing potential. In contrast, many off-the-shelf products are dead or contain few living cells.
Consistency You Can Trust
Donor-derived products vary wildly in quality. When we harvest your own cells at Compass, you get a custom-tailored treatment optimized for success.
Ethical Clarity
With autologous therapy, there are no gray areas—just your own biology helping you heal.
Applications
What Are Cells Used to Treat?
Chronic back pain is one of the most common and frustrating health issues in the world. Cellular therapy offers new hope for people with:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Facet joint arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
Injecting cells directly into the damaged area can reduce inflammation, regenerate soft tissue, and stabilize the spine. A study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine showed that stem cell treatment for discogenic low back pain produced lasting relief up to two years post-treatment.

From weekend warriors to seasoned pros, joint pain affects just about everyone at some point. Cell injections are a powerful option for:
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Hip pain
- Shoulder labral tears
- Ankle sprains and instability
Cells promote cartilage regeneration, reduce friction and swelling, and restore joint fluidity. According to a study inCells Translational Medicine, patients with knee arthritis saw dramatic improvements in mobility and pain levels within months of treatment.

Tendon and ligament injuries are notorious for healing slowly—and for flaring up again and again. Cell therapy tackles the root of the problem by accelerating true tissue repair. Conditions we treat include:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Achilles tendonitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis/golfer’s elbow
Combining cells with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can create a potent healing cocktail. The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine reports excellent outcomes when cells are used to treat chronic tendon and ligament injuries.

Advantages
A Better Approach Than Surgery
No Scalpels, No Stitches
Say goodbye to incisions and hello to same-day treatments.
Less Risk, Less Downtime
Cell-based therapy has a lower risk of infection and fewer complications than traditional surgery.
Rapid Recovery
Most patients resume their normal activities in days—not weeks or months.
Natural Healing
Why cut and remove when you can repair and regenerate?
Lower Long-Term Costs
Avoid surgical bills, hospital stays, and months of physical therapy. A 2020 study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found that cellular injections often yield similar or superior outcomes to surgery at a fraction of the cost.
Testimonials
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results
What to Expect

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frequently asked questions
How does Regenerative Medicine work?
Regenerative medicine is designed to trigger the body’s natural healing process to repair and remodel damaged tissue, joint, tendon, ligament, disc and even bone. By injecting healing messenger cells and concentrated platelets, we send signals to the body to begin its natural healing process at a cellular level.
How long does it take to recover from a procedure?
Regenerative treatments are non-surgical alternatives to traditional orthopedic care, which means the downtime is significantly shorter than surgery. Patients often return to normal activities within days or a few weeks. Improvements from cell therapy or PRP injections are typically noticed within a week, but a full healing cycle may take up to two months as the body continues to heals. Our team will provide you with a personalized recovery plan to help maximize results.
What kind of guarantee can you provide that my procedure will be effective?
While regenerative medicine shows promising results in several areas, no medical procedure can be guaranteed. Outcomes depend on your age, health, and the severity of your condition. At Compass, we focus on transparent, evidence-based care — we only recommend regenerative treatments when there is legitimate research to support them. Nothing is guaranteed.
Can I still get surgery if my procedure is not effective?
Yes. Regenerative medicine does not interfere with the ability to pursue other treatment options, including surgery, later. Many patients choose regenerative medicine first because it offers a safe, conservative approach that may help them avoid surgery or reduce reliance on long-term medications.
Can I repeat my procedure?
Yes. In some cases, repeating a PRP or cell-based treatment may be recommended, especially if you had partial improvement or your condition progresses over time. Our providers will review your case individually to determine whether a repeat regenerative procedure is the best next step.
My injury is old, can Regenerative Medicine still help me?
When the body is injured, it starts a natural healing cycle that typically lasts 12 weeks. After this cycle, the body considers the job complete, even though you may still be experiencing pain or loss of function. Orthobiologics re-starts this healing cycle, giving you subsequent attempts to continue repairing the body. While outcomes may improve with earlier intervention, Regenerative Medicine is often effective for old injuries or degeneration that’s existed for decades.
What is the average cost of a procedure?
The cost of regenerative medicine varies depending on the biologic agent received and the scope of orthopedic issue being treated. A PRP joint injection will cost roughly $1,000, while a complex cell-based spine procedure may cost up to $8,000. The typical range for procedures is $3-5,000. In all cases, we provide clear pricing upfront and can discuss options to make care accessible.
What are the most important questions to ask a clinic before getting Regenerative Medicine?
- What type of biologics are you using and are they FDA-compliant?
- If the cells are not autologous (meaning from another donor) what third-party testing do you do to ensure their quality and known origin?
- Do you use a cell counter to ensure the viability of my injection?
- What kit will be used to process my biologic injection and how do you assess its quality?
- Who is performing the procedure, and what are their credentials and experience in interventional orthopedics?
- What is your complication rate for orthobiologic procedures?
- Do you use ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance for accurate injections?
- How do you measure and track patient outcomes?
