Seoul · Musculoskeletal medicine
Yonsei Re Cell
BMAC, described on its Korean site as autologous bone marrow cell-regeneration treatment.
Patient concerns
Stem Cells for Knee Pain: Evidence & Treatment Options
A precise diagnosis matters more than a regenerative treatment label.
Clinics in this directory offer marrow- or fat-derived procedures for knee concerns. Start with an assessment of the cause of your pain and discuss the options suited to your diagnosis.
Understanding your treatment options
Do not treat all injections as equivalent. Ask whether the proposed intervention is BMAC, SVF, a named cell medicine or a platelet preparation. A product’s approval for a defined cartilage defect cannot be generalized to all joint pain.
What current evidence can tell you
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons describes the clinical evidence for orthopaedic cell procedures as limited and mixed. Improvement in pain does not automatically demonstrate that cartilage has regrown. The type of preparation, the patient population and the outcome being measured all matter. Read the AAOS explanation.
For your own decision, distinguish a symptom score, an imaging finding and a reduction in the need for further treatment. They answer different questions. Ask what the clinic would consider a meaningful benefit, and when it would assess it.
Compare with the established care pathway
NIAMS describes osteoarthritis care as including education, appropriate exercise, weight management where relevant, symptom-relieving medicines and, for selected patients with substantial damage, surgery. The suitable combination depends on your assessment. A cell procedure should be discussed in relation to that plan, not as a reason to abandon it. Review the NIAMS treatment overview.
Prepare for the consultation
Bring imaging and a treatment history. Ask the specialist to compare reasonable nonoperative and operative options, and explain the intended benefit, limitations and rehabilitation plan.
Ask for the exact product, processing method, route and approval status in writing. The same diagnosis can be approached with very different products; a shared treatment name does not make their evidence interchangeable.
Explore the relevant preparation
Read our treatment approach guide before comparing providers. Use the consultation checklist to document unanswered questions.
Explore clinics with related services
A category describes a patient concern, not an approved indication. Explore the clinic profile for treatment details.
Sources and further reading
- MEDIPOST — Cartistem product information (manufacturer)Source checked 9 October 2026.
- AAOS OrthoInfo — Use of stem cells in orthopaedicsSource checked 9 October 2026.
- NIAMS — Osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatmentSource checked 9 October 2026.
Use this guide to prepare for a conversation with your doctor about your needs and treatment options.