Overview
Aurora, Colorado is the third-largest city in the state and sits at the heart of the Denver Metro healthcare corridor, anchored by one of the most significant biomedical campuses in the United States. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, located in Aurora at 13199 East Montview Boulevard, houses teaching hospitals, research institutes, and clinical practices that attract board-certified specialists in virtually every field of medicine, including regenerative medicine and orthobiologics. This concentration of academic medicine means that Aurora-area patients have access to both community-based clinics and university-affiliated programs that are actively engaged in clinical research on stem cell and biologic therapies.
Patients pursue stem cell therapy in Aurora for a range of reasons, most commonly to address chronic musculoskeletal pain, degenerative joint disease, soft tissue injuries, and conditions that have not responded adequately to conventional treatments such as physical therapy, cortisone injections, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. The appeal of regenerative approaches lies in their goal of stimulating the body’s own repair mechanisms rather than simply masking symptoms. Procedures such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), adipose-derived cell therapy, and amniotic allograft injections are increasingly available through orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, and integrative health clinics operating throughout Aurora and the surrounding metro area.
Clinics offering these services range from academic medical centers affiliated with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where treatments are delivered by fellowship-trained physicians and are often tied to active clinical trials, to private orthopedic practices and integrative health centers that combine regenerative injections with chiropractic care, rehabilitation, and holistic medicine. Each model serves a different patient profile. Academic affiliates tend to attract complex cases and patients who want access to research-backed protocols. Private practices and integrative centers often emphasize accessibility, faster scheduling, and a more personalized care environment.
When evaluating any stem cell or regenerative medicine clinic in Aurora, patients should ask several foundational questions before booking a consultation. First, confirm that the physician delivering or supervising the injection holds an MD or DO license, is board-certified in a relevant specialty such as orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, or physical medicine and rehabilitation, and is in good standing with the Colorado Medical Board (verifiable at dpo.colorado.gov). Second, ask whether the procedure uses the patient’s own cells (autologous) or donated tissue (allograft), and request clarity on how the product is regulated under current FDA guidelines. Third, inquire about imaging guidance — ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance is considered standard of care for precise joint and soft tissue injections. Finally, ask about outcome tracking: reputable clinics document patient-reported outcomes and can provide realistic expectations based on peer-reviewed evidence rather than anecdotal claims alone.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Aurora
1. CU Medicine Regenerative Medicine, Hand and Spine Center
Address: 13199 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: (303) 694-3333
Website: https://www.cumedicine.us/services/regenerative-medicine
About: CU Medicine Regenerative Medicine is part of the University of Colorado’s clinical practice network and is located on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. The program is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of board-certified physicians with specialties spanning orthopedic surgery, primary care sports medicine, and spine and rehabilitation medicine. The program’s stated mission is to use human biological cells, tissues, and molecules to stimulate the body’s natural ability to repair and heal itself, using non-operative and minimally invasive techniques. Because the program is embedded within an academic medical center, its physicians are simultaneously involved in clinical research, meaning treatment protocols are informed by ongoing evidence development rather than marketing alone. Appointments can be made in person or via telehealth, and the center works with major insurance carriers, though patients should verify coverage for specific biologic procedures prior to scheduling. Billing inquiries can be directed to (303) 493-7700.
Physicians:
- Jason L. Dragoo, MD — Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Dr. Dragoo is a Professor and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs in the CU Department of Orthopedics. He holds the Endowed Chair of Regenerative Medicine at CU Anschutz and is an internationally recognized figure in the field of biologics and orthopedic regenerative medicine. He completed his medical degree and residency training in orthopedic surgery and holds board certification from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He serves as Head Team Physician for the Denver Nuggets and has previously served as a consultant physician for the US Ski Team. His research program focuses on tissue engineering of articular cartilage using adipose-derived stem cells, ACL biology, and clinical evaluation of PRP and autologous blood products.
- Sourav Poddar, MD — Primary Care Sports Medicine. Dr. Poddar is board-certified in both family medicine and sports medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine. He received his MD from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (1997) and completed his fellowship at the University of Colorado (2001). He serves as Chief of Primary Care Sports Medicine and Chief Medical Officer for the University of Colorado Buffaloes athletic program. His clinical focus includes biologic therapies and advanced ultrasound-guided techniques for acute and chronic joint and soft tissue injury.
Services:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Autologous blood is drawn, processed to concentrate platelets and growth factors, and injected into the site of injury or degeneration to augment the body’s natural healing response. Dr. Dragoo’s laboratory research has specifically evaluated evidence-based protocols for PRP use in osteoarthritis and soft tissue injuries.
- Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC): Bone marrow is harvested from the patient, concentrated to increase the number of progenitor and regenerative cells, and injected into the target joint or tissue. BMAC delivers both cells and biologically active growth factors in a single autologous preparation.
- Lipogems and Adipose Tissue Technologies: Minimally invasive harvesting of the patient’s own fat tissue, which is processed to yield a concentrated preparation of stromal vascular fraction including regenerative cells, and injected to support joint and tissue healing.
- Allograft Biologics: Preserved donor tissue products that can be injected in an office setting to support healing in appropriate clinical indications.
Conditions Treated: Knee osteoarthritis and cartilage defects, hip joint degeneration, shoulder injuries, tendon and ligament injuries, ACL-related conditions, spine-related musculoskeletal pain, and post-surgical healing support.
Technology and Equipment: Ultrasound and fluoroscopic imaging guidance are used for injection accuracy. The program has access to MRI imaging for pre- and post-treatment cartilage volume measurement in research protocols.
Patient Experience: The program accepts in-person and virtual appointments. As an academic medical center affiliated clinic, wait times may be longer than private practices, but the benefit is access to physicians who are active researchers and national leaders in the field.
2. Colorado Shoulder, Hip and Knee Institute — Dr. Ryan Carr, MD
Address: 145 Inverness Drive East, Suite 350, Englewood, CO 80112 (serving Aurora, Denver, Highlands Ranch, and surrounding metro communities)
Phone: (303) 783-7655
Website: https://www.ryancarrmd.com
About: Colorado Shoulder, Hip and Knee Institute is a private orthopedic practice founded by Dr. Ryan Carr, MD. While the primary office address is in Englewood, the practice explicitly serves and markets to patients in Aurora, Highlands Ranch, and the broader Denver Metro area, and lists Aurora as a primary service location on its website. Dr. Carr’s practice integrates conventional orthopedic surgery with regenerative and biologic options, allowing patients to pursue a staged treatment approach — starting with less invasive regenerative therapies before considering surgical intervention when appropriate. The practice offers telemedicine appointments, a patient portal for communication and records access, and educational resources including post-operative instruction videos. Dr. Carr holds a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from patient reviews and is listed as accepting new patients on major physician directories including HCA HealthONE.
Physicians:
- Ryan Carr, MD — Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Carr received his medical degree from Chicago Medical School and completed his residency in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Illinois. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is dual-fellowship trained, having completed a CASE Shoulder Fellowship in Cleveland, Ohio, and an Adult Reconstruction fellowship focused on hip and knee at the Colorado Orthopaedic Research Institute in Denver. He has also completed an observership at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado, and a traveling fellowship in advanced shoulder surgery techniques in Annecy, France. Prior to private practice, Dr. Carr served as a team physician for both professional and high school sports teams. In 2014, he received the Vernon L. Nickel Research Award from the Orthopedic Research Association. He holds membership in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, and the International Congress for Joint Reconstruction.
Services:
- Stem Cell Therapy (BMAC): Bone marrow is extracted from the patient and processed to yield a concentrate of regenerative stem cells, which are then injected under imaging guidance into the affected joint or soft tissue structure. Dr. Carr describes this as “a form of regenerative medicine that utilizes the body’s natural healing mechanism to treat various conditions.”
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Autologous blood-derived growth factor concentrate injected to support healing of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and joint surfaces.
- Orthobiologics for the Hip: Targeted biologic injections for hip joint degeneration, labral injuries, and tendon pathology around the hip, including ultrasound-guided approaches.
- Orthobiologics for the Shoulder: Biologic injections for rotator cuff tendinopathy, glenohumeral osteoarthritis, and shoulder joint degeneration.
- Cartilage Regeneration Procedures: Non-surgical and surgical approaches to cartilage restoration, with regenerative biologics used as an adjunct or primary treatment depending on the clinical picture.
Conditions Treated: Knee osteoarthritis, shoulder degeneration and rotator cuff pathology, hip labral tears and arthritis, tendon injuries, ligament sprains, cartilage damage, soft tissue injuries from sports, and degenerative joint disease across the upper and lower extremity.
Technology and Equipment: The practice uses imaging-guided injection techniques. Telemedicine capability is available for initial consultations and follow-up care.
Insurance and Pricing: Dr. Carr’s practice is affiliated with HCA HealthONE. Patients should contact the office directly at (303) 783-7655 to confirm which insurance plans are accepted for specific regenerative medicine procedures, as biologic therapies vary in coverage status.
3. Dynamic Health Center
Address: 2993 S. Peoria Street, Suite 270, Aurora, CO 80014
Phone: (303) 873-6232
Website: https://www.dhc.care
About: Dynamic Health Center is an integrative clinic located directly in Aurora, CO 80014, that combines chiropractic care, holistic medicine, physical rehabilitation, and regenerative stem cell therapy under one roof. The clinic describes itself as the only healthcare practice in Aurora offering this combination of disciplines in a single setting. Its approach to patient care is team-based: both a chiropractic provider and a medical provider evaluate each patient to identify the underlying source of the condition rather than managing symptoms in isolation. The regenerative medicine component is administered by Christina Turner, a board-certified family nurse practitioner with specialized training in ultrasound-guided biologic injections. The clinic uses amniotic allograft as its primary stem cell product — donated tissue sourced from the amniotic sac and amniotic fluid of consenting mothers at the time of healthy deliveries, not derived from embryonic sources. The clinic states a 97% success rate for its amniotic allograft therapy and notes that most patients begin to see results within four to ten weeks of treatment. Dynamic Health Center files directly with major insurance companies on behalf of patients and works to determine coverage prior to treatment.
Providers:
- Christina Turner, MSN, FNP-BC — Family Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified (ANCC). Christina Turner holds a Master of Science in Nursing and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has specialized certifications in BHRT pellet therapy, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, hormone optimization with NAD+, ultrasound-guided regenerative injections (including PRP, bone marrow stem cells, amniotic allograft, and A2M), and is a trained bone marrow extraction specialist. She developed a clinical protocol for stem cell inhalation therapy for patients with degenerative lung disorders. Turner and Dr. Weigel together report more than 20 years of combined patient care experience.
- Dr. Jesse Weigel, DC — Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Weigel earned his Bachelor of Science from Palmer College and graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2010. He founded Dynamic Health Center with a mission of helping patients achieve and maintain health through natural and integrative means. He oversees the chiropractic, rehabilitation, and holistic care components of the practice.
Services:
- Amniotic Allograft Stem Cell Therapy: Injection of processed amniotic tissue — containing multipotent stem cells, growth factors, and wound-regenerating compounds — into degenerated or injured joints and soft tissues. All products are sourced from non-embryonic donated tissue.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: Autologous platelet concentrate prepared from the patient’s own blood and delivered under guidance to the target site.
- Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M) Therapy: A concentrated preparation of this naturally occurring plasma protein, which research suggests may inhibit cartilage breakdown in osteoarthritis.
- Chiropractic Care and Physical Rehabilitation: Manual therapy, spinal adjustment, and structured rehabilitation programs designed to complement regenerative injections and address musculoskeletal dysfunction.
- Joint Injections and Trigger Point Therapy: Targeted injections for pain management and soft tissue release as part of a comprehensive pain care program.
Conditions Treated: Lower back pain and bulging discs, neck pain and cervical osteoarthritis, shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries, hip pain and labral tears, knee pain including ACL and MCL injuries and cartilage damage, osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and auto accident injuries.
Patient Experience: The clinic is located in south Aurora with accessible parking. The integrated care model means patients receive both a chiropractic and a medical evaluation, which may benefit patients who want a broader perspective on their musculoskeletal condition. The clinic files insurance directly and is communicative about coverage prior to treatment.
What to Know Before Choosing a Stem Cell Clinic in Aurora
Before committing to any regenerative medicine program in Aurora or the broader Denver Metro area, patients should conduct thorough due diligence. Start with credentials. The physician or nurse practitioner administering your treatment should hold a valid Colorado medical or advanced practice license, which can be verified through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Division of Professions and Occupations at dpo.colorado.gov. For stem cell injections specifically, look for board certification in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or a directly related specialty. Fellowship training in orthopedic biologics or sports medicine is a meaningful additional qualifier. Ask the provider directly which board certified them and when, and do not assume that a clinic name or website implies physician-level credentials — some regenerative medicine offices are operated primarily by non-physician providers.
Ask specifically about what product is being injected and how it is regulated. The FDA distinguishes between minimally manipulated autologous cell therapies (generally considered to fall within its enforcement discretion in specific contexts), allograft tissue products regulated under 21 CFR Part 1271, and more extensively manipulated cell preparations that may require an Investigational New Drug application or Biologics License. A reputable clinic in Aurora will be transparent about the regulatory status of its products. Be cautious of any provider who cannot clearly explain the biological source of the cells, the processing method, and the applicable FDA framework. Also ask whether the procedure has been evaluated in randomized controlled trials relevant to your condition, and request realistic outcome data rather than testimonials alone.
Imaging is a practical quality marker. Ultrasound-guided or fluoroscopic-guided injection is the standard for accurate delivery of biologic products into joints, tendons, and other target structures. Blind injections — delivered without real-time imaging confirmation of needle placement — carry higher rates of missed targets and suboptimal outcomes. When you call a clinic to inquire about treatment, ask directly whether all injections are performed under imaging guidance, who performs the imaging, and whether the physician or advanced practitioner is performing the injection themselves or delegating to an unlicensed technician.
Finally, evaluate the clinic’s approach to your overall care plan. Stem cell and PRP therapies work best as part of a structured treatment program that may include targeted physical therapy, activity modification, and appropriate expectation-setting about timeline and realistic outcomes. A clinic that schedules you for an expensive injection at your first visit without a comprehensive evaluation, diagnostic imaging review, or discussion of conservative treatment alternatives may be prioritizing revenue over your clinical outcome. Aurora patients benefit from having both academic medical center programs and well-credentialed private practices available, giving you real options to compare before making a decision. Ask each clinic for a consultation before committing to any procedure, and use that appointment to assess whether the provider is genuinely focused on your specific diagnosis or applying a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Disclaimer: This directory is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement. All clinic details, physician credentials, addresses, and phone numbers should be independently verified directly with the provider before scheduling any appointment or procedure. Regenerative medicine treatments including stem cell therapy and PRP are subject to evolving FDA regulatory guidance and are not universally covered by insurance. Consult a licensed physician before pursuing any treatment.