Overview
Jacksonville occupies a distinctive position in Florida’s healthcare landscape. As the most populous city in the state and one of the largest by land area in the contiguous United States, it supports a wide network of health systems — Baptist Health, UF Health, Ascension St. Vincent’s, and HCA Florida — that anchor a broader ecosystem of specialty and outpatient practices. This infrastructure means Jacksonville patients have access to orthopedic and regenerative medicine specialists whose training and affiliations often match or exceed what is available in larger metros. Several Jacksonville physicians hold team physician roles with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, maintain fellowship training from nationally recognized institutions, and publish in peer-reviewed orthopedic literature, all of which elevates the standard of musculoskeletal and regenerative care available in the region.
Patients seeking stem cell therapy in Jacksonville typically arrive through one of two pathways: chronic musculoskeletal pain that has not responded sufficiently to conservative treatment, and sports or overuse injuries where the goal is to accelerate tissue repair and return to activity without surgery or extended downtime. Common presenting conditions include knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, labral tears, hip pain, and degenerative disc disease. For many of these patients, the calculus is straightforward — a regenerative injection procedure carries far lower risk and recovery burden than the surgical alternative, and the gap between doing nothing and undergoing surgery has never had more options to fill it. Jacksonville’s concentration of fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons means regenerative procedures here are typically performed in properly supervised clinical settings with appropriate imaging guidance.
The types of clinics offering stem cell therapy in Jacksonville span a range of models. Physician-owned private orthopedic practices represent the most established category, with founding physicians who have built multi-decade community reputations and, in some cases, trained multiple generations of staff. Multi-specialty spine and orthopedic centers bring together neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and interventional pain specialists under one roof, offering regenerative therapies alongside surgical and non-surgical alternatives. Franchise-affiliated regenerative medicine networks have also entered the Jacksonville market, though these vary considerably in the depth of physician oversight. For most patients, a physician-owned or hospital-affiliated practice with board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians remains the safer starting point.
Evaluating stem cell therapy options in Jacksonville requires attention to a few key distinctions. The source of stem cells matters: autologous cells harvested from the patient’s own bone marrow or adipose tissue differ meaningfully from allogeneic products derived from umbilical cord tissue or amniotic membrane, and not all clinics disclose which they use or why. Imaging guidance during injection, the physician’s orthopedic background, and whether the clinic uses an in-house lab for cell processing or relies on a third-party provider all affect the quality of the procedure. Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) regulates ambulatory surgery centers in the state, and AHCA certification is a meaningful signal that a facility meets defined quality and safety standards. The three clinics profiled below are physician-led, carry verifiable street addresses, and maintain active websites.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Jacksonville
1. Orthopedic Specialists of Jacksonville — Dr. Kevin M. Kaplan, MD
Address: 5191 First Coast Technology Parkway, 3rd Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Phone: (904) 675-4000
Website: https://www.kevinkaplanmd.com
About: Dr. Kevin M. Kaplan operates his orthopedic and sports medicine practice out of Orthopedic Specialists of Jacksonville, with a second location at 1325 San Marco Blvd, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32207. The practice is among the most credentialed sports medicine operations in northeast Florida, built on Dr. Kaplan’s background as Head Team Physician for the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars — a role he has held for over sixteen years — and prior service as assistant team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and Los Angeles Sparks during his time in California. The practice’s philosophy on regenerative medicine reflects Dr. Kaplan’s broader commitment to evidence-based care: he uses only autologous adult stem cells, isolated from the patient’s own tissue during a procedure, and does not participate in embryonic stem cell research or use off-the-shelf allogeneic cell products. This approach prioritizes biological safety and scientific defensibility over convenience. The practice is affiliated with Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville and Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, and Dr. Kaplan also serves as Head Team Physician for The Bolles School and a team physician for Jacksonville University.
Physicians:
- Dr. Kevin M. Kaplan, MD, FAAOS — Board Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (Orthopaedic Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine); Fellow, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine; Fellow, Arthroscopy Association of North America. Medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine (1999), residency at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, fellowship at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Foundation in Los Angeles. Head Team Physician, NFL Jacksonville Jaguars.
Services:
- Stem Cell Therapy (Autologous): Stem cells are isolated from the patient’s own tissue during the procedure and applied to the target area — shoulder, knee, or hip — without the use of embryonic or donor-sourced cell products. Dr. Kaplan’s autologous-only approach reduces the risk of immune response and maintains biological traceability.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection: Concentrated platelets drawn from the patient’s own blood are injected into damaged soft tissue, joints, or tendons to promote healing through growth factor delivery.
- Orthobiologics: A broader category of biologic treatments combining cell therapies and plasma-based injections, applied to accelerate recovery from soft tissue injury or slow the progression of degenerative joint disease.
- Arthroscopic Surgery: Minimally invasive shoulder, elbow, and knee procedures performed arthroscopically, including ACL reconstruction and rotator cuff repair.
- Sports Medicine Consultation: Evaluation and non-operative management of sports-related musculoskeletal conditions across all activity levels.
Conditions Treated:
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries
- Hip pain
- Labral tears (shoulder and hip)
- Ligament injuries including ACL tears
- Tendinopathy and chronic tendon injuries
- Sports-related musculoskeletal injuries
- Cartilage damage and degenerative joint conditions
Patient Experience:
New patients typically begin with a comprehensive orthopedic evaluation, including a review of imaging and prior treatment history, to determine whether regenerative therapy is appropriate or whether surgical or other non-operative options are better suited. The practice serves both recreational athletes and professional sports figures, with a protocol-driven approach to treatment planning. Hospital affiliations with Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville support cases that require surgical intervention alongside or following regenerative treatment.
2. Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic
Address: 6100 Kennerly Rd., Suite 101, Jacksonville, FL 32216
Phone: (904) 739-0050
Website: https://www.jacksonvilleorthopaedicsurgeon.com
About: Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic is one of Jacksonville’s longest-established orthopedic practices, founded in July 1978 by Dr. George A. El-Bahri, MD — a founding tenure of over 45 years as of 2024. The practice has grown from a single-physician office to a multi-physician group with two Jacksonville locations, including a second office at 1045 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204. The clinic’s longevity reflects both clinical consistency and a philosophy of patient education: the team explicitly emphasizes helping patients make “empowered and informed decisions about their medical or surgical treatments,” resisting the tendency to default to surgery where less invasive options can produce comparable outcomes. The addition of stem cell therapy and PRP injections to the practice’s offerings reflects a deliberate expansion into regenerative orthopedics, performed by surgeons with board certification and decades of orthopedic procedural experience. The practice holds a 4.84 out of 5 star patient satisfaction rating across more than 550 reviews, placing it among the higher-rated orthopedic practices in the region.
Physicians:
- Dr. George A. El-Bahri, MD — Founder; Board Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery; Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Completed orthopedic residency at University Hospital Jacksonville (now UF Health). Specializes in total hip replacement and total knee replacement with over 45 years of practice.
- Dr. Fady A. El-Bahri, MD, FAAOS — Board Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery; Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Completed fellowship in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Alabama under Dr. James Andrews. Medical degree from St. Joseph’s University Medical School (1981). Specializes in ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, and knee and shoulder arthroscopy. Affiliated with HCA Florida Memorial Hospital and Ascension St. Vincent’s Southside.
- Dr. John C. Crick, MD — Orthopedic Surgeon.
- Dr. George F. El-Bahri, DO — Orthopedic Surgeon, affiliated with Ascension health network.
Services:
- Stem Cell Therapy: Delivered via injection to the target joint or soft tissue. The clinic describes stem cells as “cellular building blocks, including amino acids and proteins, that are responsible for cell growth,” which identify injured tissue types and replicate them to support repair. Healing timelines range from weeks to months depending on the severity of damage. Procedures may use umbilical cord tissue, placental tissue, adipose tissue, or bone marrow as source material.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections: A three-step process — blood draw, centrifuge processing to separate platelets from red blood cells, and injection of the concentrated platelet-enriched substance into the treatment site. Applicable across shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and foot.
- Arthroscopic Surgery: Minimally invasive surgical treatment of the shoulder, knee, elbow, hip, and ankle.
- Total Joint Replacement: Hip and knee replacement, including revision procedures.
- Sports Medicine: Evaluation and treatment of sports injuries from recreational to competitive levels.
- Spine Treatment: Non-surgical and surgical management of spinal conditions.
- Hand and Wrist Care: Comprehensive hand surgery and wrist condition management.
Conditions Treated:
- Minor rotator cuff tears
- Tendinitis
- Ligament strains
- Muscle sprains
- Labral tears
- Arthritis (hip, knee, shoulder)
- ACL injuries
- Rotator cuff tears requiring surgical repair
- Total hip and knee replacement candidates
- Elbow, wrist, foot, and ankle injuries
Patient Experience:
Patients undergo a consultation and physical examination to confirm eligibility for stem cell therapy or PRP before any regenerative procedure is performed. The clinic actively combines regenerative therapies with pre- and post-surgical protocols to support faster healing and potentially reduce recovery time following orthopedic surgery. Online appointment booking is available through the practice website. The two-location structure in Jacksonville allows for scheduling flexibility across the city.
3. Integrity Spine & Orthopedics
Address: 14785 Old St. Augustine Rd, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32258
Phone: (904) 456-0017
Website: https://www.integrityspineortho.com
About: Integrity Spine & Orthopedics is a comprehensive spine and orthopedic medical center serving Northeast Florida from its Jacksonville location and a second office in Middleburg, FL. The practice operates out of a 7,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility and brings together three distinct specialties under one roof: neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and interventional pain management. This multi-specialty configuration means regenerative medicine consultations can be evaluated in full clinical context — a patient presenting with back pain and joint degeneration can receive coordinated assessment from a neurosurgeon, an orthopedic surgeon, and a pain specialist without being referred across multiple practices. Integrity Spine & Orthopedics holds AHCA certification from Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, which requires meeting ongoing quality standards across pre-operative, intraoperative, and postoperative care processes measured by state and federal surveys. The practice accepts Medicare, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross, and United Healthcare, among other insurance plans, giving it broader accessibility than many regenerative-focused clinics that operate primarily on a cash-pay basis.
Physicians:
- Dr. Ralph Rizk, DO — Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon; fellowship-trained at Drexel University College of Medicine/Allegheny Health Network in robotic hip and knee replacement and the direct anterior hip approach. Medical degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine; orthopedic residency at Largo Medical Center. Jacksonville native; attended The Bolles School; B.S. in Exercise Science from Florida State University. Affiliated with Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside Hospital. Specializes in hip and knee reconstruction, shoulder, hand, foot, and ankle surgery, and regenerative therapies including PRP and stem cell treatment.
- Dr. Tarek Radwan, MD — Board Certified Neurosurgeon specializing in complex spine surgery, trauma, and brain and spine tumors.
- Dr. Eli Loch, DO — Anesthesiologist and Interventional Pain Specialist.
Services:
- Regenerative Medicine (PRP and Stem Cell Therapy): The practice applies platelet-rich plasma therapy and stem cell treatments to promote healing and regrowth in areas of injury and inflammation. Treatments are designed to “harness the body’s natural healing processes to promote regeneration and healing” in damaged cells, tissues, and joints without requiring invasive surgical intervention.
- Robotic Orthopedic Surgery: Advanced robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement, including the direct anterior hip approach, performed by Dr. Rizk.
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Spinal procedures performed through smaller incisions to reduce recovery time.
- Spine Services: Disc replacement, herniated disc treatment, kyphoplasty, spine fusion, total disc replacement, sciatica management, spinal stenosis, neck pain, and pinched nerve treatment.
- Orthopedic Services: Carpal tunnel treatment, fracture care, hip and knee pain management, joint replacement, rotator cuff repair, and shoulder pain.
- Pain Management: Interventional pain procedures, including injections, managed by the in-house pain specialist.
- Workers’ Compensation and Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries: Specialist management of workplace and accident-related orthopedic and spine injuries.
Conditions Treated:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Sciatica
- Neck and back pain
- Osteoarthritis (hip, knee, shoulder)
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fractures
- Sports-related orthopedic injuries
- Knee and hip pain requiring replacement evaluation
- Pinched nerve
- Brain and spine tumors (Dr. Radwan)
- Workers’ compensation and motor vehicle accident injuries
Technology & Equipment:
Robotic orthopedic surgery technology for hip and knee procedures; ambulatory surgery center operating under AHCA certification with state and federal quality monitoring. The 7,000-square-foot facility is designed as a multi-specialty surgical and clinical center.
Patient Experience:
The clinic emphasizes “compassionate care and clear communication” with a team described as caring and friendly. The multi-specialty configuration allows patients to receive coordinated care across spine, orthopedic, and pain management disciplines in a single practice. The practice has a second location in Middleburg, FL, which extends access to patients in Clay County. Insurance acceptance across major carriers including Medicare reduces out-of-pocket barriers for appropriate patients.
Insurance & Pricing:
Accepts Medicare, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare, among others.
What to Know Before Choosing a Stem Cell Clinic in Jacksonville
The most important question to ask any Jacksonville stem cell clinic is about the source of the cells being used in your treatment. Autologous treatments — where cells are harvested from your own bone marrow or fat tissue — differ fundamentally from allogeneic products derived from umbilical cord blood, placental tissue, or amniotic membrane collected from third-party donors. Neither approach is inherently superior for all conditions, but the clinical rationale should be explained to you clearly before treatment. Ask your physician specifically: where do the cells come from, what evidence supports their use for my specific condition, and what outcome data does this practice track. If a clinic cannot answer these questions with precision, treat that as a meaningful signal about the quality of care you are likely to receive.
Imaging guidance is a second variable that separates higher-quality procedures from lower-quality ones. Ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance during injection ensures the cells or plasma are delivered to the exact target tissue rather than a generalized area around a joint. In Jacksonville, where many regenerative procedures are performed by fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons who routinely use imaging guidance in their surgical work, this standard tends to be met more reliably than at clinics where regenerative therapy is offered as a side service without robust musculoskeletal imaging capability. Ask whether your injection will be performed under real-time imaging guidance and by whom — the physician or a technician.
Board certification and fellowship training are the baseline credentials to verify for any physician performing stem cell or PRP therapy. In Florida, a physician can legally offer regenerative injections without orthopedic-specific board certification, so verifying that your provider is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or a comparable specialty board is worth the two minutes it takes to check on the ABOS website or your insurer’s provider directory. Fellowship training — particularly at recognized institutions in sports medicine, joint reconstruction, or spine — indicates that the physician spent an additional year beyond residency developing expertise in the relevant anatomy and procedures. Jacksonville’s pool of fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons is substantial relative to the city’s size, which works in patients’ favor when selecting a provider.
Finally, ask explicitly about what happens if treatment does not produce the expected result. A clinic that tracks patient outcomes, offers structured follow-up, and will refer you to a surgical colleague if regenerative therapy is insufficient is operating in your interest. Regenerative medicine works best when it is positioned within a full continuum of orthopedic care — not as a final answer that avoids all other intervention, but as one tool in a clinical strategy that is willing to escalate or pivot based on what your body actually does after treatment. Jacksonville’s stronger clinics in this space are physician-owned or hospital-affiliated practices where that continuity of care is structurally built in, not an afterthought.
Disclaimer: This directory is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement. Verify credentials and consult a licensed physician before pursuing any treatment.