Overview
Lincoln, Nebraska has developed a meaningful presence in regenerative medicine over the past decade. Patients dealing with chronic joint pain, sports injuries, degenerative disc disease, and osteoarthritis increasingly turn to stem cell and biologic therapies as an alternative to surgery or long-term reliance on pain medications. The city’s medical community has responded with a range of clinic types — from orthopedic surgery practices that have integrated orthobiologics into their surgical and non-surgical protocols, to family medicine practices that began offering adipose-derived cell treatments in the early 2010s. The result is a market where patients have genuinely distinct options depending on whether they need orthopedic specialist oversight, a primary care-based approach, or access to a large multi-physician practice with imaging-guided injection capabilities.
The conditions most commonly treated with stem cell and biologic therapies in Lincoln include knee osteoarthritis, hip joint degeneration, shoulder rotator cuff injuries, tendon and ligament damage, and chronic low back pain. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is the most widely available biologic treatment and is frequently used as a first-line regenerative option. More advanced procedures such as bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) therapy require greater physician expertise and equipment, and are offered by a smaller subset of Lincoln providers. Patients with moderate arthritis may be candidates for PRP alone, while those with severe bone-on-bone joint damage are more often evaluated for BMAC or a combination protocol. A physician with orthopedic training or board certification in sports medicine or physical medicine and rehabilitation is best positioned to assess candidacy accurately.
When you schedule a consultation for stem cell or regenerative therapy in Lincoln, expect an initial evaluation that includes a review of your imaging (typically X-ray and often MRI), a physical examination of the affected area, and a discussion of your treatment history. Most reputable clinics will not offer a blanket “yes” to any patient who walks in — they will identify whether conservative treatments like physical therapy and injections have been tried, assess the structural integrity of the joint, and explain realistic outcome expectations. The procedure itself, if you proceed, is usually completed in one to two office visits. Recovery is typically far shorter than surgical recovery, with many patients returning to light activity within a few days, though full benefit may take eight to twelve weeks to materialize as the biological response unfolds.
Choosing a provider in Lincoln requires attention to a few key factors. First, verify that the procedure is being performed by or directly supervised by a licensed physician — an MD or DO — with documented training in regenerative medicine or orthobiologic procedures. Second, confirm that the clinic uses imaging guidance (ultrasound or fluoroscopy) for intra-articular injections, which substantially improves accuracy and outcomes. Third, ask whether the preparation is done on-site in a controlled environment and what quality standards are applied to the biologic material. Providers who make aggressive marketing claims — guaranteeing outcomes, claiming FDA approval for specific stem cell products that are not approved, or pushing expensive packages without a thorough evaluation — should be approached with caution. The FDA regulates most stem cell therapies as investigational, and responsible clinics will be transparent about what is and is not established by clinical evidence.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Lincoln, NE
1. SouthPointe Medical & Aesthetics
Address: 6820 S 32nd Street, Lincoln, NE 68516
Phone: (402) 323-8400
Website: https://www.southpointemedical.com
Physician: Dr. Michael P. Martin, MD, Family Medicine; Board Certified in Family Medicine and Cosmetic Surgery; member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Academy of Family Physicians
Services:
- Enriched Cell Treatment (adipose-derived stem cell therapy)
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) joint injections
- Joint pain and inflammation management
- Medical aesthetics and body sculpting
- Weight management and wellness
Conditions Treated:
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Hip joint degeneration
- Shoulder joint pain
- General joint inflammation and cartilage damage
About: SouthPointe Medical & Aesthetics has been serving Lincoln patients since 2000, with stem cell and PRP therapy added to the practice in 2011 under Dr. Martin’s direct supervision. Dr. Martin earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed his residency at the University of Iowa, bringing over three decades of clinical experience to his practice. The clinic’s Enriched Cell Treatment uses adipose-derived stromal cells harvested from the patient’s own abdominal tissue, a minimally invasive process performed under local anesthesia that avoids the more invasive bone marrow extraction approach. A dedicated in-house biology lab technician isolates and prepares the cells for injection, and supporting staff hold certifications in stem cell harvesting and isolation techniques.
2. Nebraska Orthopaedic Center
Address: 575 S 70th Street, Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68510
Phone: (402) 436-2000
Website: https://nebraskaortho.com
Physicians: Dr. Matthew H. Freeman, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine; Dr. Brandon M. Seifert, MD, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine — among multiple board-certified orthopaedic surgeons on staff
Services:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy
- Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)
- Lipogems (micro-fragmented fat tissue therapy)
- Cartilage and meniscus transplantation
- Full orthopedic surgical and non-surgical care
- Sports medicine
Conditions Treated:
- Knee osteoarthritis and cartilage damage
- Hip and shoulder joint degeneration
- Tendon and ligament injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Sports-related musculoskeletal conditions
- Meniscus tears
About: Nebraska Orthopaedic Center is the most established orthopaedic practice in Lincoln, founded in 1948 and formed under its current name in 2022 following the merger of Lincoln Orthopaedic Center and Nebraska Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine. The practice employs multiple fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons with expertise spanning sports medicine, joint replacement, spine, and hand surgery. Its orthobiologics program reflects the practice’s commitment to offering patients the full spectrum of non-surgical and surgical options, with PRP and BMAC procedures available as in-office treatments for patients who have exhausted conservative therapies. Dr. Freeman completed a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Kansas Health System working alongside physicians for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals; Dr. Seifert trained at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. The practice serves as the official orthopaedic provider for University of Nebraska-Lincoln student athletes.
3. Premier Orthopaedics, LLC
Address: 8560 Foxtail Drive, Suite 201, Lincoln, NE 68526
Phone: (402) 219-3873
Website: https://premierorthone.com
Physician: Dr. Thomas G. Harbert, MD, Orthopedic Surgery; registered with the National Provider Identifier database (NPI: 1629058060); enrolled with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Services:
- Stem cell therapy consultation and evaluation
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy
- Bone marrow aspirate concentrate injections
- General orthopaedic surgery
- Musculoskeletal injury treatment
- Free consultations for stem cell therapy candidacy
Conditions Treated:
- Knee pain and osteoarthritis
- Elbow injuries
- Ankle sprains and soft tissue injuries
- Plantar fasciitis
- Muscle injuries
- Degenerative joint conditions
- Spine-related pain
About: Premier Orthopaedics, LLC opened in 2018 as a state-of-the-art orthopaedic facility located near 84th and Old Cheney Road in south Lincoln, providing focused orthopaedic and regenerative care to Lincoln and the surrounding communities. Dr. Thomas G. Harbert, MD brings over 16 years of experience in orthopedic surgery and has positioned the practice to offer both traditional surgical and emerging regenerative options under one roof. The clinic offers free consultations specifically for patients interested in stem cell therapy, lowering the barrier for patients to understand whether they are appropriate candidates before committing to treatment costs. Premier Orthopaedics operates a walk-in clinic on Monday mornings for acute musculoskeletal concerns, reflecting a patient-access philosophy that extends to its regenerative medicine offerings.
What to Know Before Choosing a Stem Cell Clinic in Lincoln
Before selecting a stem cell or regenerative medicine provider in Lincoln, ask the following questions directly: Is the physician performing or personally supervising the procedure an MD or DO with documented training in orthobiologics or regenerative medicine? Does the clinic use ultrasound or fluoroscopic image guidance to confirm accurate needle placement? Where is the biologic material processed — is it prepared on-site or sent to an outside lab? What is the expected timeline for results, and what does the clinic’s follow-up protocol look like after treatment? A provider willing to give specific, transparent answers to these questions is generally more trustworthy than one who responds with broad promotional language. Also ask directly whether the treatment they are recommending has FDA clearance or is being provided under an investigational or same-day surgical exception — this distinction affects both your legal protections as a patient and the evidentiary basis for the procedure.
There are several red flags that should prompt you to look elsewhere. Be cautious of any clinic that promises guaranteed results, claims that stem cell therapy can cure conditions that have no current clinical evidence of response (such as neurological diseases or systemic autoimmune conditions without a clinical trial context), or refuses to provide a detailed breakdown of costs before treatment begins. Similarly, clinics that pressure you to decide quickly, offer large discounts for same-day commitment, or cannot identify the specific biologic product and its sourcing are not operating with appropriate clinical rigor. Marketing language that uses “FDA-approved stem cell therapy” broadly is a warning sign — the FDA has approved specific stem cell products for specific indications, but most regenerative injections for orthopedic conditions are not among them, and a clinic that obscures this distinction may be misleading you.
On pricing and insurance, expect that most stem cell and advanced biologic procedures in Lincoln will be out-of-pocket expenses. PRP therapy for a single joint typically ranges from roughly $500 to $1,500 per injection; BMAC and adipose-derived cell therapies can range from $2,500 to $8,000 or more depending on the complexity of the procedure and whether multiple joints are treated. Health insurance, including Medicare and most private plans, does not routinely cover these treatments because they are considered investigational for most musculoskeletal indications. Some clinics accept CareCredit or similar medical financing. Always request a written cost estimate before proceeding, and ask whether a single treatment is typically recommended or whether the clinic’s protocol involves a series of injections — the total cost picture can differ substantially between those approaches.
Your most productive next step is to schedule an initial consultation with one or more of the clinics listed above. Bring your most recent imaging (X-rays and MRI if available), a list of prior treatments you have already tried including physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections, and a clear description of how your symptoms affect your daily function. A thorough first consultation should result in a frank conversation about whether you are a good candidate, what specific procedure is being recommended and why, what the realistic range of outcomes looks like based on your condition severity, and what happens next if the treatment does not produce adequate relief. Physicians who take the time to walk through this framework with you are the ones best positioned to deliver results that hold up over time.
This directory was compiled using publicly available information as of February 2026. Always verify clinic details, physician credentials, and treatment availability directly with each provider before scheduling. Stem cell and biologic therapies for orthopedic conditions are not FDA-approved treatments and results vary by individual.