Overview
Denver has one of the most robust healthcare landscapes in the Mountain West, anchored by major academic medical centers like UCHealth, Denver Health, and Children’s Hospital Colorado, alongside a dense network of independent specialty practices. The city’s medical community has embraced regenerative medicine at a pace that mirrors national interest, with a growing number of board-certified physicians offering stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections as alternatives or complements to traditional surgical care. Patients traveling to or residing in Denver have access to practitioners who span multiple specialties, including physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, and pain management, each approaching regenerative care from a distinct clinical perspective.
The context of Denver’s population makes it a natural environment for the growth of regenerative medicine. The city and its surrounding Front Range communities skew younger and more physically active than national averages. A 2023 report from the Colorado Health Institute noted that Colorado residents participate in outdoor recreational activities at rates well above national norms, including skiing, trail running, mountain biking, and climbing. These activities carry elevated rates of joint, tendon, and ligament injuries, precisely the conditions that regenerative medicine practitioners most commonly address. Patients in Denver are often highly motivated to avoid surgical downtime and return quickly to an active lifestyle, making them receptive candidates for stem cell-based interventions.
Patients seek stem cell therapy for a range of reasons, most commonly musculoskeletal pain that has not responded adequately to physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or corticosteroid injections. Conditions such as osteoarthritis of the knee and hip, rotator cuff degeneration, lumbar disc pathology, and chronic tendinopathy are among the most frequently cited indications. Stem cell procedures typically involve harvesting autologous cells from bone marrow or adipose tissue, processing them to concentrate the regenerative fraction, and re-injecting them under image guidance into the damaged area. The goal is to leverage the body’s own repair mechanisms rather than relying solely on palliative or surgical approaches. It is important to note that while the field is advancing, most stem cell procedures outside of hematopoietic stem cell transplants remain in various stages of clinical investigation, and outcomes can vary significantly by patient, condition, and provider technique.
When evaluating a stem cell clinic in Denver, patients should prioritize several factors: the lead physician’s medical degree and board certification in a relevant specialty, transparent disclosure of the specific cell source and processing method used, the use of image guidance (ultrasound or fluoroscopy) for injection accuracy, and clear communication about realistic outcomes and success rates. Clinics range from solo practitioner offices to multi-location practices. Some operate as integrated pain management centers, while others focus exclusively on orthopedic or sports medicine applications. The three clinics profiled below were selected because their core information, including physician credentials, physical address, and HTTPS website, could be independently verified from public sources at the time of writing.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Denver
1. Mountain Spine and Pain Physicians
Address: 2373 Central Park Blvd, Suite 303, Denver, CO 80238
Phone: (303) 355-3700
Website: https://www.mountain-spine.com
About: Mountain Spine and Pain Physicians is a Denver-based interventional pain management practice led by Dr. Brian J. Fuller, MD. The practice focuses on non-opioid, minimally invasive approaches to chronic and acute pain, with regenerative medicine forming a core part of the clinical model. Dr. Fuller has built a reputation in Denver for applying rigorous diagnostic methods before recommending stem cell therapy, typically reserving the procedure for patients who have exhausted conservative treatments. The clinic operates out of the Central Park neighborhood in northeast Denver, with appointments available Monday through Friday. Beyond regenerative procedures, the practice offers a broad suite of interventional pain treatments, and Dr. Fuller incorporates both ultrasound and fluoroscopic image guidance to ensure accurate cell placement.
Physicians:
- Brian J. Fuller, MD — Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; triple board-certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Pain Medicine (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation subspecialty). Dr. Fuller is a Harvard-educated physician who completed an internship in internal medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School and a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Health System. He subsequently completed an anesthesia pain management fellowship. He has published original research on interventional spine procedures in peer-reviewed journals and has presented at national spine and rehabilitation medicine conferences. Dr. Fuller speaks both English and Spanish.
Services:
- Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cell Therapy: Dr. Fuller harvests stem cells directly from the posterior iliac crest (back of the hip), centrifuges the aspirate to concentrate the regenerative cells, and re-injects them under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance into the target structure. Patients are typically able to resume daily activities immediately following the procedure, though full tissue response may take up to four weeks.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: A separate regenerative option for patients with tendon, ligament, or joint pathology, PRP is processed from the patient’s own blood and injected with image guidance.
- Interventional Pain Management: The practice provides a full range of spinal and joint injections for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including epidural steroid injections, facet blocks, and nerve ablation procedures.
Conditions Treated:
- Lumbar disc pathology and lower back pain
- Knee pain and osteoarthritis
- Hip pain and joint degeneration
- Shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries
- Neck pain and cervical spine conditions
- Tendinopathy and ligament injuries
- Spinal stenosis
- Arthritis of major joints
Technology and Equipment: Procedures are performed under real-time ultrasound or fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to confirm accurate needle placement. Centrifugation equipment is used on-site to concentrate the stem cell fraction from bone marrow aspirate.
Patient Experience: Patient reviews on Zocdoc reflect an average rating of 4.37 out of 5, based on 19 reviews, with bedside manner rated at 4.73. Patients have described Dr. Fuller as thorough and compassionate, with office staff noted for professionalism.
2. Rocky Mountain Spine and Sports Medicine
Address: 650 South Cherry St, Suite 1015, Denver, CO 80246
Phone: (303) 377-7777
Website: https://www.rockymountainspineandsports.com
About: Rocky Mountain Spine and Sports Medicine is a Denver-based pain management and sports medicine practice led by Dr. Rock Navarkal, MD, JD, who has been practicing in the Denver area since 2009. The clinic takes a multidisciplinary approach to musculoskeletal care, integrating regenerative medicine procedures with physical therapy, chiropractic collaboration, acupuncture, and interventional techniques. Dr. Navarkal was among the first physicians in Colorado to utilize platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapy in clinical practice and has treated athletes at both the professional and amateur levels throughout his career. The practice accepts workers’ compensation and auto accident cases in addition to standard clinical referrals. Located in the Cherry Creek area, the clinic is accessible from central and south Denver.
Physicians:
- Rock Navarkal, MD, JD — Pain Management and Sports Medicine; double board-certified, with fellowship training in interventional pain and sports medicine at Alabama Orthopedic Spine and Sports Medicine Associates. Dr. Navarkal earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical School. He completed initial residency training in family medicine at University of Nebraska and University of Colorado affiliated programs before completing a second residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at State University of New York and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center affiliated programs. During his training, he worked directly with team physicians for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates, where he began applying regenerative medicine techniques. He subsequently served as a team physician for the Glendale Raptors rugby club and was one of the first physicians to use these methods with Denver Broncos players.
Services:
- Regenerative Medicine (PRP and Stem Cell Therapy): Dr. Navarkal offers both platelet-rich plasma injections and stem cell-based procedures, applied to orthopedic and spine conditions. Procedures are guided by imaging to ensure accuracy.
- Interventional Pain Management: The practice provides a comprehensive range of minimally invasive procedures, including epidural steroid injections (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar), facet joint injections, radiofrequency neurotomy, nerve blocks, and spinal cord stimulation.
- Sports Injury Treatment: Targeted care for acute and chronic sports-related injuries, including tendon and ligament pathology, with a rehabilitation pathway integrated into the treatment plan.
- Multidisciplinary Pain Programs: Treatment plans incorporate medication management, physical therapy referrals, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, and orthotics as indicated by the individual patient’s profile.
Conditions Treated:
- Degenerative joint disease of the spine and extremities
- Herniated discs and sciatica
- Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and shoulder
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Sports injuries (tendon, ligament, cartilage)
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraine and facial pain
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Workers’ compensation and motor vehicle accident injuries
- Post-surgical pain syndrome
Technology and Equipment: Ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance are used for injection procedures. The practice employs a broad suite of interventional tools, including equipment for spinal cord stimulation implants and intrathecal pump placement.
Patient Experience: The practice has received a patient rating of 4.91 out of 5 stars, based on 219 reviews, reflecting high satisfaction across clinical outcomes and staff responsiveness.
3. Denver Regenerative Medicine
Address: 455 Sherman Street, Suite 450, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (720) 583-1648
Website: https://denverregenerativemedicine.com
About: Denver Regenerative Medicine was established in 2012 in Denver’s Capitol Hill and Governor’s Park neighborhood, making it one of the longer-standing independent regenerative medicine practices in the city. The clinic operates multiple locations across Colorado, including offices in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Grand Junction, but the Sherman Street address serves as the flagship Denver location. The practice is founded and led by Dr. Joel Cherdack, DC, who holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College and a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of Florida. The clinic also has Dr. Andrew Hong, MD, a physician with a background in family medicine and pain management, listed as part of the clinical team. Dr. Cherdack has been featured discussing regenerative therapies on NBC’s 9News and The Tom Martino Show, and the clinic has developed proprietary protocols marketed under names such as REjuvenate and Accellerate. The practice reports using a dual-source approach combining adipose-derived and bone marrow-derived cells for certain procedures.
Physicians:
- Andrew Hong, MD — Listed on the clinical team; described in public directories as a family medicine and pain management physician practicing in Denver, CO, with an NPI number of 1740454222. He is associated with the Colorado Pain Society and the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Patients seeking independent verification of Dr. Hong’s board certification status should consult the Colorado Medical Board at dora.colorado.gov and the American Board of Medical Specialties at certificationmatters.org.
- Joel Cherdack, DC — Founder; Doctor of Chiropractic, Palmer College (2001); B.S. Molecular Biology, University of Florida (1995). Patients should note that Dr. Cherdack holds a chiropractic degree, not a medical degree (MD or DO). Prospective patients who specifically require an MD or DO to perform their procedure should verify with the clinic which physician will be conducting their injection.
Services:
- Stem Cell Therapy: The clinic offers stem cell procedures targeting musculoskeletal conditions including back pain, knee, shoulder, and hip degeneration. The practice reports using a dual-source cell protocol combining adipose-derived and bone marrow-derived stem cells for certain applications.
- PRP Therapy: Platelet-rich plasma injections for joint, tendon, and ligament conditions.
- Hormone Replacement and Testosterone Therapy: Available for patients seeking hormonal optimization alongside regenerative care.
- Stem Cell Hair Treatment: A cosmetic application of regenerative cell protocols for hair restoration.
- Weight Loss Programs (Semaglutide and Tirzepatide): Medical weight management programs using GLP-1 receptor agonist medications.
- Peptide Therapy: Available as an adjunct to regenerative and anti-aging programs.
Conditions Treated:
- Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and shoulder
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Tendon and ligament injuries
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Joint degeneration
What to Know Before Choosing a Stem Cell Clinic in Denver
Before scheduling a consultation at any stem cell clinic in Denver, patients should prepare a targeted set of questions to assess whether the practice meets a reasonable standard of clinical transparency. The most important question is who will actually perform the injection. In some multi-provider clinics, the physician listed prominently on the website may not be the practitioner administering the procedure. Patients should ask directly whether the injecting provider holds an MD or DO degree, which specialty board has certified them, and whether that certification is currently active. The American Board of Medical Specialties (certificationmatters.org) allows patients to verify board certification status for free. The Colorado Medical Board (dora.colorado.gov) maintains a public license lookup tool that shows whether a physician’s license is active, whether any disciplinary actions have been taken, and the physician’s primary specialty designation.
Patients should also ask detailed questions about the cell source, processing method, and injection technique before agreeing to any procedure. Autologous procedures, meaning those using the patient’s own cells harvested from bone marrow or fat tissue on the same day, are generally held to a different regulatory standard than procedures using donor-derived or commercially processed cell products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued guidance distinguishing between “same surgical procedure” autologous uses and products that require full biologics approval. Patients should ask the clinic which regulatory category their proposed procedure falls under and whether the practice has registered with the FDA as required for certain cell-based products. A clinic that cannot or will not answer this question clearly is a concerning sign.
Imaging is a non-negotiable component of a well-administered regenerative injection, and Denver patients should ask every clinic whether ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance is used for every injection. Blind injections, those performed without real-time image guidance, carry a higher rate of inaccurate placement, which can reduce effectiveness and introduce complications. Before the procedure, most responsible practitioners will also require baseline imaging of the target joint or structure, typically MRI or X-ray, to confirm the diagnosis, establish a baseline for comparison, and rule out conditions that would contraindicate regenerative injection. If a clinic is willing to proceed without any diagnostic imaging, that is a red flag for Denver patients.
Finally, cost and insurance transparency deserve direct attention before committing to care. The majority of stem cell injection procedures in Denver are not covered by commercial health insurance or Medicare, as they are still considered investigational for most orthopedic indications. Costs vary substantially across practices and depend on the cell source, volume, number of injection sites, and whether imaging guidance fees are bundled. Patients in Denver should request a clear, itemized estimate before the appointment and ask whether the quoted price includes all components of the procedure, such as laboratory processing, the injection visit itself, and any follow-up imaging. Some clinics offer payment plans or work with healthcare financing companies such as CareCredit. Understanding the full cost structure upfront protects patients from unexpected charges and allows for meaningful comparison across providers.
Disclaimer: This directory is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement. Clinic details, physician credentials, addresses, phone numbers, and services are based on publicly available information at the time of writing (February 2026) and are subject to change. Always verify credentials independently through the Colorado Medical Board and the American Board of Medical Specialties. Consult a licensed physician before pursuing any regenerative medicine treatment.