Overview
Minneapolis and the surrounding Twin Cities metro have become a notable hub for regenerative medicine, driven by the presence of nationally recognized academic medical centers, a strong sports medicine community, and longstanding investment from the state of Minnesota in regenerative research. In 2014, the Minnesota State Legislature allocated $4.35 million per year to advance the state’s position in regenerative medicine, funding research portfolios covering orthopedic conditions, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and more. This institutional foundation means patients in Minneapolis have access to stem cell and regenerative medicine services ranging from academic hospital programs to specialized outpatient clinics. Providers here include board-certified orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, and interventional pain specialists, each approaching regenerative care from a distinct clinical perspective.
The conditions most commonly addressed through stem cell and regenerative medicine therapies at Minneapolis-area clinics fall broadly into musculoskeletal and orthopedic categories. Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and shoulder is among the most frequent indications, as are soft tissue injuries involving tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Degenerative disc disease, labral tears, rotator cuff pathology, and chronic joint pain from sports or aging are also routinely evaluated. At the more specialized end of the spectrum, academic programs at institutions affiliated with the University of Minnesota address blood and marrow conditions, autoimmune diseases, and complex systemic disorders using hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. For most outpatient regenerative clinics, however, the focus remains on musculoskeletal pain and orthopedic injuries where surgery carries meaningful risk or recovery burden and conservative measures have been exhausted.
A typical outpatient stem cell procedure in Minneapolis follows a predictable arc. Most commonly, mesenchymal stem cells or bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) are drawn from the patient’s own iliac crest (the hip bone), processed and concentrated in a centrifuge, and injected under imaging guidance into the target joint or tissue. The entire appointment generally takes under an hour, and patients are discharged the same day. Return to light activity is usually possible within one to two days, though weight-bearing restrictions and a pause on anti-inflammatory medications are standard for two to four weeks to allow the biological response to develop. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is often offered as a companion therapy or a first-step option before moving to bone marrow concentrate. Results, when they occur, typically develop over three to six months as the body’s repair processes are stimulated.
Choosing the right provider in the Minneapolis market requires looking beyond the clinic’s marketing and into the credentials and clinical experience behind the service. The field sits in a regulatory gray area: the FDA has not approved most stem cell therapies for orthopedic indications, meaning clinics operate under the discretion of individual practitioners and the biological preparations they use. Because of this, the physician’s credentials matter considerably. A board-certified orthopedic surgeon or a fellowship-trained sports medicine physician with a formal regenerative medicine practice is a meaningfully different level of oversight than a clinic staffed primarily by nurses or physician assistants without direct MD supervision. Patients should ask specifically who will perform the procedure, what type of stem cell preparation is being used (autologous bone marrow vs. amniotic or umbilical cord products, which carry different regulatory status), and what peer-reviewed evidence supports the protocol being recommended.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Minneapolis, MN
1. Allina Health Orthopedics — Minneapolis
Address: 2800 Chicago Ave S, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Phone: (952) 946-9777
Website: https://account.allinahealth.org/services/914
Physician: Dr. Robby Bershow, MD, Non-Operative Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Services:
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy
- Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) injections
- Ultrasound-guided injection therapy
- Sports medicine consultation and management
- Physical therapy (on-site)
Conditions Treated:
- Knee osteoarthritis and cartilage damage
- Tennis elbow and other tendinopathies
- Hip bursitis and labral pathology
- Rotator cuff injuries and shoulder pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- General joint pain and sports-related soft tissue injuries
About: Allina Health Orthopedics occupies the campus of Abbott Northwestern Hospital in south Minneapolis, giving patients access to a fully integrated orthopedic and sports medicine program. Dr. Robby Bershow is a board-certified sports medicine physician who completed his fellowship at Hennepin Healthcare and serves as a team physician for Minnesota United FC. The program’s approach to regenerative medicine is explicitly evidence-based, with the clinic positioning newer treatments like stem cell therapy as part of a responsible, stepwise path when conventional care has not provided sufficient relief.
2. Twin Cities Pain & Regenerative Medicine
Address: 4444 West 76th Street, Suite 500, Edina, MN 55435
Phone: (952) 831-7246
Website: https://twincitiespainmanagement.com
Physician: Dr. Constantin N. Starchook, MD, Board-Certified Anesthesiologist and Interventional Pain Management Specialist
Services:
- Stem cell therapy for joint and soft tissue conditions
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) procedures
- Epidural steroid injections (lumbar, cervical, thoracic)
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Facet joint injections and medial branch blocks
- Trigger point injections
- Stellate ganglion blocks
Conditions Treated:
- Knee pain and osteoarthritis
- Chronic back pain and sciatica
- Neck pain and cervicogenic disorders
- Shoulder pain and soft tissue injuries
- Joint pain from arthritis or injury
- Fibromyalgia and widespread musculoskeletal pain
- Auto and work-related injuries
About: Twin Cities Pain & Regenerative Medicine is led by Dr. Constantin Starchook, who brings more than 20 years of medical expertise in interventional pain management. Dr. Starchook has been named among the top doctors in Minnesota and has built the practice into one of the more visible regenerative medicine providers in the Twin Cities metro. The clinic accepts most major health insurance plans, offers Spanish and Russian language services, and has established a reputation for treating a broad range of both acute and chronic pain conditions with minimally invasive protocols.
3. Ryan R. Fader, MD — Orthopedic Surgeon
Address: 2805 Campus Drive, Suite 465, Plymouth, MN 55441
Phone: (952) 946-9777
Website: https://www.ryanfadermd.com
Physician: Dr. Ryan R. Fader, MD, Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine
Services:
- Stem cell therapy (bone marrow aspirate concentrate)
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
- Prolotherapy
- Hip arthroscopy and cartilage restoration
- ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair
- Cartilage transplantation procedures
- Regenerative medicine consultation for hip, knee, and shoulder
Conditions Treated:
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and hip labral tears
- Knee cartilage injuries and osteoarthritis
- ACL and other knee ligament injuries
- Meniscus tears (Grade I and II)
- Rotator cuff pathology
- Degenerative joint conditions of the hip and shoulder
- Sports-related soft tissue injuries
About: Dr. Ryan R. Fader is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who completed his advanced training at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He trained at the University of Minnesota medical school and practiced at Allina Health before establishing his independent practice. Dr. Fader has served as team physician for the New York Rangers, New York Red Bulls, and University of Denver Athletics, and he offers stem cell and regenerative medicine as a non-surgical alternative for patients who are not ready for or seeking to avoid surgical intervention. His Plymouth location serves patients from across the Twin Cities metro, including Minneapolis.
What to Know Before Choosing a Stem Cell Clinic in Minneapolis
Before committing to a regenerative medicine provider in the Minneapolis area, patients should come prepared with specific questions that cut through marketing language and reach the clinical substance. The most important: ask who performs the procedure. In some clinics, the physician listed on the website does the initial consultation but a nurse or medical assistant handles the actual injection. You want the procedure performed by the credentialed provider, ideally under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. Ask what biological preparation is being used — autologous bone marrow aspirate (from your own body) carries a different regulatory and clinical profile than amniotic or umbilical cord products marketed as “stem cell therapy,” which the FDA has repeatedly flagged. Ask for any published clinical data or outcome tracking the clinic can share. A serious clinic welcomes these questions; one that deflects them is showing you something important.
Several red flags should prompt immediate caution. Clinics that promise specific outcomes — guaranteed pain relief, quantified percentages of improvement, or claims of treating conditions like Alzheimer’s, ALS, or autoimmune diseases with joint injection protocols — are operating outside the evidence base and, in many cases, outside the law. Pricing structures that require large upfront payments for multiple treatment packages before a single procedure has occurred are a financial warning sign. So is the absence of a licensed physician as the direct provider of care. The FDA has taken enforcement action against clinics that use minimally manipulated biological products in ways not consistent with regulations, and patients who receive such treatments have no guarantee of product safety, sterility, or efficacy. The Minneapolis-area clinics included in this directory are staffed by board-certified MDs with verifiable credentials, which is a baseline standard all patients should require.
On pricing and insurance: most outpatient stem cell and PRP therapies for orthopedic conditions are not covered by commercial insurance or Medicare, as they are considered investigational or experimental for musculoskeletal indications. Expect to pay out of pocket. PRP injections in the Twin Cities market typically range from $400 to $800 per injection depending on the preparation technique and provider setting. Bone marrow aspirate concentrate procedures are more involved and generally cost between $2,000 and $5,000 per treatment site. Some clinics offer financing or payment plans. A legitimate clinic will provide a clear written estimate before any procedure. Be skeptical of pricing that is dramatically higher or lower than this range without a clear explanation; outliers on both ends can indicate either predatory pricing or a protocol that cuts corners on the processing and quality of the biological preparation.
The clearest next step for someone considering stem cell therapy in Minneapolis is to schedule consultations at two or three clinics before committing. Most reputable providers offer an initial consultation where your imaging (MRI, X-ray) can be reviewed and candidacy assessed. Use this appointment to evaluate the physician’s communication style, the depth of the clinical assessment, and the quality of the explanation you receive about what the treatment can and cannot do. Bring your imaging records and a written list of your symptoms, prior treatments, and timeline. A good provider will tell you honestly if you are not a good candidate for regenerative therapy and will not pressure you toward a procedure that does not fit your clinical picture. The goal of this first appointment is not to book a procedure — it is to gather enough information to make a confident, informed decision.
The information in this directory is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Stem cell and regenerative medicine therapies are not FDA-approved for most orthopedic indications and outcomes vary by individual. Consult directly with a licensed physician to determine whether any specific treatment is appropriate for your condition.