We receive patients each week at Forever Young Stem Cell in Cabo San Lucas who have tried all the conventional methods to treat knee pain, including cortisone injections that fade, physical therapy that can only do so much, and a recommendation of a surgeon that they are not yet ready to accept. Most people come with the same question in mind: Is there anything that can correct this?
We provide advanced stem cell therapy specifically for knee osteoarthritis. With over a decade of clinical experience and more than 1,000 successful procedures, our team often sees patients who also seek relief for other joints, such as shoulder stem cell therapy in Cabo San Lucas, or those looking to complement their recovery with aesthetic treatments like Endolift laser therapy in Cabo San Lucas.
What is knee osteoarthritis and why is it so hard to treat?
Osteoarthritis, or OA, is the most prevalent joint disorder in the world. It occurs in the knee when the cartilage of the articulating surfaces (a smooth tissue that enables the bones to slide over each other) breaks down gradually. The protective cushion becomes thin with time, inflammation ensues, and bone rubs against bone. The result is pain, stiffness, and swelling that disrupts almost every part of your day: walking, climbing stairs, sleeping, and even sitting comfortably.
Most patients never hear this biological fact: cartilage has very little capacity to heal itself. Articular cartilage lacks a direct blood supply, as compared to muscle or skin. The body cannot send out the repair signals it needs to heal itself without that blood flow. Conventional therapy, NSAIDs, cortisone injections, and hyaluronic acid only manage your symptoms. None of these treatments addresses the loss of cartilage at the base. And our stem cell therapy targets that specific issue to help you recover your health and your mobility.
We frequently hear from patients whose doctors told them to wait until their knee condition worsened before considering surgery. We offer a real alternative now, before your options become limited.
How we use stem cells to treat knee osteoarthritis
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into specialized cell types, such as cartilage cells (chondrocytes). They also secrete potent signalling molecules known as growth factors and cytokines that decrease inflammation and cause repair of the surrounding tissue. The mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) is a type of stem cell that has been shown to be effective in orthopedic regenerative medicine in our clinic.
Some of the sources of stem cells we use are based on the protocol of the patient:
- Bone Marrow MSCs – These are harvested from the hip. These are self-cultured cells (yours), decades-old and familiar.
- Adipose MSCs – Obtained from your fat. Maximum cell yield and least invasive to harvest.
- Umbilical Cord MSCs – Wharton jelly-derived donor cells of high anti-inflammatory effect and youthful cell profile.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) – We typically use PRP to supplement the use of stem cells in order to increase the activity of growth factors and improve outcomes.
When injected accurately into the knee joint, these cells act in three significant ways: they inhibit the chronic inflammatory process to promote OA development, they induce the native cells of the body to promote tissue remodelling, and in most cases, they differentiate into chondrocyte-like cells, which repair cartilage matrix themselves.
Our treatment process, step by step
Every patient who visits us receives a custom treatment plan. Instead of standard protocols, we design your therapy specifically for your knee condition and long-term objectives.
- Free preliminary examination — Our specialists consider your X-rays, MRI, medical history, and lifestyle and make sure that you are a candidate and compose your own list of actions. No obligation necessary at this level.
- Pre-treatment preparation– We can ask you to get blood work, further imaging or offer lifestyle advice through our comprehensive medical services to ensure you are in peak condition for the procedure.
- Cell sourcing and processing – We harvest stem cells using your own body or using the ethically-sourced donor tissue, which is screened. Our sterile lab does all the processing to ensure as high concentration and viability of the cells as possible.
- Ultrasound-guided injection — Our team of experts injects the stem cells directly to the troubled compartments of your knee with the help of ultrasound imaging in real-time so that it is always accurate, safe, and as close as possible to the damaged tissue.
- Structured follow-up — We will monitor your progress, keep track of your symptoms improving, and evaluate your body’s response. The majority of our patients report the first changes in 4-8 weeks, and the progress is maintained in 3-6 months.
Furthermore, the entire procedure is outpatient and typically completed within an hour at our clinic in El Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas. No incisions. No general anesthesia. No hospital stay.
What our patients experience and what the evidence supports
In our over 1,000 procedures, we have found the same results as have been reported in peer-reviewed clinical research. Research in the PubMed Central of the National Institutes of Health supports that MSC-based treatment of knee OA yields significant pain and function improvements at 1224 months follow-up – and our patients are no exception.
This is what we usually find in patients whom we treat in our clinic:
- Considerable decrease in the level of pain, which can occur within the initial 4-8 weeks of treatment.
- Better knee functioning and range of movement compared to pre-treatment baselines.
- Less use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Long-term results that are much longer-lasting compared to cortisone shots.
- Excellent safety profile – The number of adverse events amongst our patients is very low and normally mild.
We explain everything to each patient: stem cell therapy is no panacea. Its effectiveness will be determined by the extent of your OA, your age, your general health, and your body’s response. What we can guarantee is a sincere evaluation – and in case we do not believe you will gain, we shall inform you of this in the beginning.
Our procedures are consistent with protocols of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and rely on peer-reviewed science. We will provide you with a comprehensive assessment, a customized treatment plan, and practical skills of a team that has already successfully conducted this procedure more than 1,000 times.
Who is a good candidate for our knee stem cell therapy?
According to our experience of more than 10 years of treating knee osteoarthritis, the patients who have benefited most by our treatment are those who:
- Imaging (X-ray or MRI) has confirmed Grade I-III knee osteoarthritis.
- Unresponsive to NSAIDs, cortisone injections, or physical therapy.
- Do not want or want to put off total knee replacement surgery.
- Generally in good health, non-smokers, no active joint infection.
- Ready to adhere to our post-treatment recovery plan and invest in it.
We also work with Grade IV (end-stage) OA patients, and many of them report significant pain relief and decreased inflammation although we are candid that complete cartilage regeneration is less predictable at this point. Each consultation is initiated by a good assessment to provide you with an accurate image of what to expect.
How our treatment compares to knee replacement surgery
Many patients who come to us are weighing our therapy against total knee replacement (TKR). Here is how the two compare on the factors our patients care about most:
| Feature | Our Stem Cell Therapy | Knee Replacement (TKR) |
| Procedure type | Minimally invasive injection | Major surgery with implants |
| Anesthesia | Local or none | General or spinal |
| Hospital stay | Outpatient — home same day | 2–4 days inpatient |
| Recovery time | Days to weeks | 6–12 months rehab |
We don’t position our therapy as a replacement for TKR in every case. However, for patients who are not yet at the surgical threshold or who want to explore every biological option before an irreversible procedure, what we offer is a genuinely meaningful alternative.
Why patients travel to Forever Young Stem Cell for treatment
- Deep Experience: 1,000+ procedures performed.
- Precision: Ultrasound guidance on every injection.
- High Satisfaction: We maintain a 95% satisfaction rate.
- Premier Location: We are located at Camino del Cerro #215, El Pedregal.
- Easy Travel: Our partnership with San Angel Suites offers 25% off premium recovery accommodation.
- We make the travel easy. Our partnership with San Angel Suites means you can combine treatment with premium recovery accommodation at 25% off — healing in one of Mexico’s most beautiful coastal settings.
We make the travel easy. Our partnership with San Angel Suites means you can combine treatment with premium recovery accommodation at 25% off — healing in one of Mexico’s most beautiful coastal settings.
Your next steps
Knee osteoarthritis doesn’t have to end with surgery. At Forever Young Stem Cell, we provide a treatment that works with your body’s own biology reducing inflammation, stimulating repair, and in many cases rebuilding what time and wear have broken down. We make the travel easy. For instance, our partnership with San Angel Suites means you can combine treatment with premium recovery accommodation at 25% off — healing in one of Mexico’s most beautiful coastal settings.
If you’ve been living with knee pain and wondering whether there’s a better path forward, we’d love to have that conversation with you.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Call or WhatsApp: +52-624-463-0038
Online: foreveryoungstemcell.com/contact-us
Location: Camino del Cerro #215 Local 2, Col. El Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico, in the heart of one of Mexico’s most exclusive and peaceful communities, built for healing.
Your health journey begins with one conversation. Let’s have it.
Written by the Forever Young Stem Cell editorial team. All medical information in this article is reviewed for accuracy against peer-reviewed research and is updated regularly. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For a personalized medical assessment, please schedule a consultation with our clinical team.
Also ask about our medical vacation package. Combine your treatment with a premium stay at our partner, San Angel Suites, and enjoy 25% off your treatment cost. Limited availability, reserve your spot today.
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this page is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Stem cell and regenerative therapies carry potential risks and benefits that should be thoroughly discussed with your doctor. Outcomes are not guaranteed, and these treatments are typically not covered by insurance.
