For knee osteoarthritis, 100 million autologous adipose-derived stem cells are administered by intra-articular injection. Another treatment option to consider before knee replacement surgery.

This regenerative medicine treatment is provided under a duly notified treatment plan, and in 2026, the Clinic Director published a case report on this treatment in an international academic journal.

This is a “non-surgical” regenerative medicine treatment for knee osteoarthritis and meniscal injuries, aimed at reducing pain and promoting tissue repair while seeking to avoid joint replacement surgery.

Autologous adipose-derived stem cells, cultured from the patient’s own abdominal adipose tissue, are administered directly into the knee joint (Class II Regenerative Medicine Provision Plans: Knee Joint Disorders, PB5260009 / Osteoarthritis, PB5240090), with the goal of reducing inflammation and exploring the potential for cartilage regeneration.

A key feature of our approach is that we provide three treatment options at a single clinic: stem cell therapy, stem cell culture supernatant therapy (exosomes), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Based on X-ray and MRI findings together with the clinical examination, an individualized treatment plan can be designed using the most appropriate option or combination of treatments.

To help manage pain while waiting for stem cell culture, exosome therapy and PRP therapy, which do not require cell harvesting and can be administered on the same day, may be combined with stem cell treatment. This allows treatment to proceed even for international patients with a limited stay in Japan.
(Knee PRP: Provision Plan No. PB5250010)

Treatment is supervised by Yuichi Wakabayashi, MD, PhD, Medical Director of the clinic, who holds certification from the American Board of Regenerative Medicine (ABRM) and has experience with more than 3,000 cases of autologous adipose-derived stem cell therapy.

In 2026, Dr. Wakabayashi served as the lead author of a case report published in Cureus describing intra-articular administration of autologous cultured adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in a patient with Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) Grade 3 knee osteoarthritis. Over a one-year follow-up period, the patient’s pain VAS score improved from 8 to 0, and the JOA score improved from 55 to 95.

As a specialist in diagnostic radiology, Dr. Wakabayashi personally reviews the patient’s imaging studies and proposes a treatment strategy according to the severity and progression of the condition.

Program details

【Treatment Schedule】

【Day 1 – First Visit to Japan: Approximately 60–90 minutes】
Initial consultation and counseling, including a review of symptoms, previous treatments, and lifestyle habits. The severity of knee osteoarthritis will be assessed by X-ray and MRI to determine treatment eligibility. The physician will also explain the recommended treatment method, number of treatments, costs, expected benefits, and limitations.
The following procedures can be performed on the same day:
・Stem Cell Therapy: Approximately 5 g of adipose tissue is harvested from the abdomen under local anesthesia (approximately 30 minutes / incision of only a few millimeters / showering is permitted from the same day).
・Stem Cell Culture Supernatant (Exosome) Therapy: No tissue or cell harvesting is required. The treatment can be administered directly into the knee joint on the day of consultation.
・PRP Therapy: Approximately 20 mL of blood is drawn from the arm, and the platelets are concentrated at the clinic.
The prepared PRP is then injected into the knee joint on the same day (approximately 60 minutes including blood collection).

【Cell Culture Period: Approximately 7 Weeks – for Stem Cell Therapy】
Before the cultured cells are released for administration, testing is performed for cell viability, sterility, endotoxins, and mycoplasma.
During the waiting period, exosome therapy and/or PRP therapy may be discussed as options for pain management.

【Day of Stem Cell Administration – Second Visit to Japan: Approximately 30 minutes】
The cultured stem cells are administered by injection directly into the knee joint. As the procedure is performed under anesthesia, discomfort is generally mild.
After administration, the patient will be monitored at the clinic for approximately 15–30 minutes. Hospitalization is not required, and the patient may return to their accommodation or travel on the same day.

【After Treatment】
Mild discomfort or a feeling of heaviness around the injection site may occur for 2–3 days. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for approximately one week.
Follow-up assessments are conducted at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment and may also be performed online.
If you choose PRP therapy or exosome therapy only, the treatment can be completed during a single visit to Japan within one day.

【Program Introduction Videos and Information】
・Clinic Introduction in 2 Minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ru9Y3TQ5E0
・Detailed Information on Regenerative Medicine for the Knee:
https://cellgrandclinic.com/knee/
・English Information on Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis and Knee Pain:
https://cellgrandclinic.com/column_en/stem-cell-therapy-knee-osteoarthritis-knee-pain-regenerative-medicine-en

Providing Medical Institution

CELL GRAND CLINIC

〒542-0086
2-3-2 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Midosuji Minami Building 4F Osaka

https://cellgrandclinic.com/en/

Eligibility Criteria/Exclusions for Treatment

・For patients with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence [KL] Grades 1–4), meniscal injuries, or chronic knee pain.
・Providing X-ray or MRI images (DICOM data recommended) and a medical referral letter/clinical summary before traveling to Japan will allow for a more accurate pre-treatment assessment.
・Patients using a wheelchair or walking cane are welcome. The clinic is located on the 4th floor, and an elevator is available in the building.
・Patients who have previously received treatments such as hyaluronic acid injections or PRP therapy may also be treated after the physician evaluates their suitability.
・Patients must be 15 years of age or older. There is no upper age limit; eligibility is determined individually by the physician based on the patient’s overall health condition.
・Stem cell therapy requires two visits to Japan. For patients who prefer to complete treatment during a single stay in Japan, PRP therapy or exosome therapy may be offered.
・If the patient has difficulty understanding medical explanations or informed consent procedures in Japanese, in-clinic support in English or Chinese, or the presence of a medical interpreter, is required.

Remarks

【Eligible Conditions】
Joint, muscle, and musculoskeletal disorders; trauma and injuries; knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence [KL] Grades 1–4); meniscal injuries; chronic knee joint pain; osteoarthritis of other joints (including the hip and shoulder); and joint pain following sports injuries.

【Treatments and Procedures】
Comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, outpatient care, and stem cell-based regenerative medicine

Intra-articular injection of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into the knee joint
Intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Intra-articular injection of stem cell culture supernatant (exosomes)
Diagnostic imaging and assessment using X-ray and MRI

Precautions / Contraindications

・Patients who are HIV-positive are not eligible for this treatment, as cell culture cannot be performed.
・Patients who test positive for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HTLV-1 will incur additional costs for cell culture.
・Treatment may not be available for patients with serious hematologic disorders or active infections. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult the physician in advance.
・After adipose tissue has been harvested, cell isolation and culture begin immediately. Therefore, cancellation after adipose tissue harvesting will incur 100% of the treatment fee. For cancellations before harvesting, patients will be charged only for services already provided, such as consultation and pre-procedure blood tests.
・On the day of adipose tissue harvesting, please avoid alcohol consumption and strenuous exercise. Fatigue or other symptoms may occur for 2–3 days after administration, and strenuous exercise should be avoided for approximately one week.
・After treatment of the face (wrinkles and skin laxity) or scalp for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), redness, swelling, or bruising may persist for several days. We recommend scheduling treatment so that it does not take place on the day before your return flight or an important event. On the day of treatment, please avoid makeup, prolonged bathing, saunas, and alcohol consumption.
・After treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) involving penile administration, please avoid sexual intercourse and activities that place pressure on the treated area, such as cycling, for approximately 48 hours.
・As this treatment is provided as private, self-pay medical care, it is not covered by Japanese public health insurance. Treatment outcomes vary among individuals, and a complete cure of the underlying disease cannot be guaranteed.
・We recommend avoiding treatment immediately after a long-haul flight and scheduling your appointment for the day after arrival in Japan or later.