Stem Cell Therapy Doctors for Knee Arthritis in Los Angeles: What to Look For

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Stem Cell Therapy Doctors for Knee Arthritis in Los Angeles: What to Look For

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most studied orthopedic uses for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). As a result, patients considering stem cell knee injection options in Los Angeles have a larger body of published research to reference when evaluating this treatment option. Recent MSC-based therapy research is encouraging, but stem-cell products are not FDA-approved for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, and these therapies remain investigational. Physician expertise, the specific product or procedure being offered, and patient selection are therefore especially important.

This guide breaks down what the evidence shows and what to look for in a provider. It profiles Los Angeles physicians who treat knee osteoarthritis with biologic injections, some working non-surgically and some alongside surgical options.

Evaluation Criteria

Los Angeles Physicians Offering Biologic Treatment for Knee Arthritis

Dr. Steve Yoon, MD

Dr. Steve Yoon is a Los Angeles physician who provides non-surgical stem cell treatment for orthopedic injuries and degenerative joint disease. A Castle Connolly Top Doctor and Los Angeles Super Doctor, he trained in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at NYU Medical Center and Hospital for Joint Diseases, completed fellowship training and board certification in Pain Medicine at UCLA Medical Center, and became one of the original partners of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic. He now serves as Director of Clinical Regenerative Medicine at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute.

As a sports medicine stem cell specialist, Dr. Yoon focuses on non-surgical alternative treatments that help patients avoid or delay orthopedic surgery, and provides guidance on what stem cell therapy can and cannot treat.

For patients hoping to avoid or delay knee replacement, Dr. Yoon’s practice focuses on non-surgical biologic treatment and provides information about several biologic options.

Quick Facts

• Notable Affiliations: Head Team Physician, Los Angeles Clippers; Team Physician, Los Angeles Angels; Former Director of Clinical Regenerative Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute
• Approach to Degenerative Knee Conditions: Non-surgical biologic treatment, oriented toward helping patients avoid or delay knee replacement
• Breadth of Biologic Options: Nine documented biologic treatments including bone marrow concentrate, microfragmented adipose tissue, and stem cell therapy
• Depth of Patient Education Resources: A dedicated page for each biologic treatment plus condition pages by joint

Dr. Kristofer Jones, MD

Dr. Kristofer Jones is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon and Associate Professor at UCLA who specializes in knee preservation, cartilage restoration, and sports-related knee injuries. While he performs advanced reconstructive procedures, he also incorporates biologic treatments, including PRP, BMAC, and other novel MSC approaches.

His clinical practice is supported by an active research program focused on biologic augmentation and cartilage repair, making him academically involved in regenerative orthopedics in Los Angeles.

For patients drawn to an academic medical center, or those who want a surgeon evaluating biologic and surgical options for the same knee, a university practice is a natural starting point. Biologics sit alongside cartilage restoration and reconstructive surgery here rather than at the center of the practice.

Quick Facts

• Notable Affiliations: Head Team Physician and Director of Orthopaedic Surgery, LA Lakers; Head Team Physician, USA Basketball; Team Physician, UCLA Bruins
• Approach to Degenerative Knee Conditions: Biologic treatment alongside cartilage restoration, transplantation, and reconstructive knee surgery
• Breadth of Biologic Options: PRP and bone marrow concentrate alongside cartilage restoration procedures
• Depth of Patient Education Resources: Condition and procedure pages within UCLA Health

Dr. Marc Darrow, MD, JD

Dr. Marc Darrow has been practicing regenerative medicine for decades. His practice centers on PRP, prolotherapy, and BMAC procedures for knee osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint conditions.

He has authored numerous educational articles and books on regenerative medicine, has his own radio show, and is well known among patients seeking alternatives to joint replacement. Dr. Darrow’s practice places a strong emphasis on regenerative therapies as primary treatment options for chronic musculoskeletal pain.

For patients who want to read extensively before committing, the practice offers substantial published material on knee osteoarthritis outcomes. The treatments center on a patient’s own bone marrow and blood, offering a more specialized range of therapies compared with some other practices in this guide.

Quick Facts

• Notable Affiliations: Taught at UCLA; member, American Academy of Orthopedic Medicine
• Approach to Degenerative Knee Conditions: Non-surgical injection therapy using the patient’s own bone marrow and blood
• Breadth of Biologic Options: Bone marrow concentrate, PRP, and prolotherapy
• Depth of Patient Education Resources: Condition libraries by joint, published research section, and video archive

Dr. Arash Dini, MD

Dr. Arash Dini is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon whose independent practice combines traditional orthopedic care with regenerative medicine. His regenerative offering includes bone marrow derived stem cell treatment, alpha-2 macroglobulin therapy, and platelet-rich plasma for patients with knee osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

For patients who want a board-certified orthopedic surgeon able to offer biologic treatment and surgical options from a single independent practice, this may be a good fit. The regenerative offering runs to three treatments, and it sits within a broader surgical practice covering the shoulder, hip, ankle, and elbow.

Quick Facts

• Notable Affiliations: Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Arthroscopy Association of North America, and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
• Approach to Degenerative Knee Conditions: Biologic treatment alongside arthroscopic and reconstructive surgical options
• Breadth of Biologic Options: Bone marrow derived stem cell treatment, alpha-2 macroglobulin therapy, and PRP
• Depth of Patient Education Resources: Condition pages by joint including a dedicated knee osteoarthritis page

Dr. Thomas Grove, DO

Dr. Thomas Grove practices regenerative medicine at Joint Rehab and Sports Medical Center. He completed his sports medicine fellowship at VCOM/Virginia Tech, where he served as assistant professor and team physician, and he brings a personal background as a collegiate linebacker and strength and conditioning coach who has trained athletes in more than 50 countries.

His training includes advanced diagnostic and interventional ultrasound-guided regenerative medicine injections, which he leverages to treat a number of conditions including arthritis.

For patients who want ultrasound-guided regenerative injection from a physician with a competitive athletics and strength-training background, this may be a good match. He practices at Joint Rehab and Sports Medical Center, so the biologic options and patient resources are the same ones described in the entry above.

Quick Facts

• Notable Affiliations: Team physician for NCAA Division I championships, ACC tournaments, Ironman, and Special Olympics
• Approach to Degenerative Knee Conditions: Ultrasound-guided regenerative injection for arthritis and degenerative joint disease
• Breadth of Biologic Options: Bone marrow concentrate, PRP, and prolotherapy
• Depth of Patient Education Resources: Shared practice library of condition guides by joint

What the Knee OA Data Shows

Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in 2024 and 2025 found that intra-articular MSC injections were associated with significant improvements in pain and physical function, including improvements in commonly used outcome measures such as WOMAC, VAS, and KOOS.1

A separate dose-focused meta-analysis of six randomized trials involving approximately 300 patients also found moderate to large improvements in WOMAC scores at 12 months.2

While additional research is still needed, the growing body of evidence suggests that stem cell therapy may continue to be a treatment option studied for carefully selected patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Closing Thoughts

Stem cell therapy for knee OA is one of the most actively studied applications of regenerative medicine, and the evidence is encouraging. At the same time, the current research does not support viewing it as a proven cure or guaranteed alternative to knee replacement.

For patients considering treatment, the physician’s expertise matters a great deal. It helps to look at a physician’s credentials including formal positions and affiliations, whether their practice treats knee osteoarthritis surgically, non-surgically, or both, how many biologic options are offered, and the educational knowledge and insight being offered on their website.

Ultimately, the goal is to find an experienced physician who provides guidance grounded in current evidence. For appropriately selected patients, research suggests that MSC-based therapies may offer improvements in pain and function, although these treatments remain investigational and are not FDA-approved for knee osteoarthritis.

FAQ

Does stem cell therapy work for knee arthritis?

Knee OA is one of the most studied orthopedic conditions for MSC-based therapies. Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in 2024 and 2025 found that intra-articular MSC injections improved pain and physical function in selected patients with knee OA, with improvements measured using validated outcomes such as WOMAC, VAS and KOOS.1

Is stem cell therapy safe?

Clinical trials of MSC-based injections for knee osteoarthritis have generally reported mostly short-term adverse events, but safety varies depending on the cell source, preparation, processing, and treatment protocol. These treatments are not FDA-approved for knee osteoarthritis, and patients should discuss potential risks and the regulatory status of the specific treatment with their physician.

What should I ask a physician about stem cell treatment for knee arthritis?

Ask whether or not stem cell treatments can help with your condition. If so, what type of stem cell therapy is recommended and what does the treatment protocol look like? In conjunction with stem cell treatment, are there any other interventions that can help improve pain and function? Understanding what to expect and having an open conversation with your physician regarding benefits, risks, and alternative treatments will help you make an informed decision.