Overview
New York City operates as one of the densest concentrations of medical expertise in the world, home to nationally ranked academic medical centers, private specialty practices, and physician-led regenerative medicine clinics that draw patients from across the country and abroad. The city’s healthcare infrastructure supports a wide spectrum of stem cell and regenerative therapy options, ranging from pain management practices offering bone marrow-derived stem cell injections to orthopedic surgery centers integrating biologics alongside minimally invasive procedures. Patients in New York have access to board-certified specialists with fellowship training at institutions such as Columbia University, NYU, and Kerlan-Jobe, giving the local market a depth of credentialed expertise that is difficult to match in other metropolitan areas.
Patients typically seek stem cell therapy in New York for one of two primary reasons: they want to avoid or delay surgery, or they are looking for non-pharmaceutical approaches to chronic musculoskeletal pain. Conditions driving demand include knee osteoarthritis, hip labral tears, rotator cuff injuries, degenerative disc disease, and chronic tendonitis. Because many of these patients have already exhausted conservative options such as physical therapy and corticosteroid injections, they arrive at regenerative medicine clinics seeking treatments that address tissue repair rather than symptom suppression. New York’s competitive medical environment also means that patients often arrive having done substantial research, which raises the bar for how clinics communicate their protocols, physician credentials, and outcome expectations.
The clinic landscape in New York spans several distinct models. Hospital-affiliated centers such as NYU Langone’s Center for Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine operate within academic frameworks that emphasize research and peer review. Independent private practices, by contrast, often offer more personalized scheduling, same-day appointments, and direct physician access from the first consultation. Some practices focus exclusively on interventional pain management and use regenerative injections as one tool within a broader pain care model. Others are orthopedic surgery practices that have added stem cell therapy and PRP as nonsurgical alternatives for candidates who do not yet require operative intervention. Understanding which model best fits a patient’s clinical situation is the first step in choosing wisely.
Evaluating a stem cell clinic in New York requires attention to several concrete factors. The treating physician’s credentials should be verifiable through the New York State Office of the Professions and relevant board certification bodies. Imaging guidance during injection procedures — typically ultrasound or fluoroscopy — is a mark of procedural rigor, as blind injections carry higher risk of inaccurate placement. Patients should ask whether stem cells are processed in an on-site lab or sent to an external facility, since processing protocols directly affect the quality of the biological product. Published outcomes data, peer-reviewed affiliations, and transparent informed consent processes are additional indicators of a practice operating to a high standard of care. New York’s density of options means patients are not forced to compromise; with the right research, they can identify physicians whose training, technology, and transparency align with their expectations.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in New York
1. Advanced Regenerative Medicine Center of New York (Stem Cell Therapy NYC)
Address: 240 E 23rd Street, Suite 101, New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 612-2222
Website: https://www.stemcellstherapynyc.com
About: Founded in 2011, the Advanced Regenerative Medicine Center of New York — operating publicly as Stem Cell Therapy NYC — has built one of the most established regenerative injection practices in the city, with four locations spanning Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. The clinic was founded on the principle that the least invasive approach to pain relief is nearly always the most beneficial, and this philosophy drives its preference for regenerative injections over surgical referral wherever clinically appropriate. The practice draws stem cells from the patient’s own bone marrow and adipose fat tissue, avoiding the ethical and regulatory concerns associated with embryonic or donor-derived cell sources. Over more than a decade of operation, the clinic has earned recognition from Castle Connolly Top Doctors, New York Super Doctors, New York Magazine Best Doctors, and America’s Top Doctors — a cluster of peer-nominated distinctions that reflect sustained clinical reputation. The team was also selected to serve as part of the medical staff for the Rio Olympic Games, a credential that signals a level of sports medicine expertise well beyond a typical pain management setting.
Physicians:
- Dr. Leon Reyfman, MD, RPh — Board-Certified in both Anesthesiology and Pain Management by the American Board of Anesthesiology; also a licensed registered pharmacist. Dr. Reyfman completed his anesthesiology residency with a focus on pain medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and went on to complete a fellowship at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons / St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, one of the nation’s premier pain medicine training programs. He serves as Assistant Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology at SUNY Downstate Medical School and as Director of Interventional Pain Medicine at the practice. He is a founding member of The New York Pain Society and holds active memberships in the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, the International Spine Intervention Society, the North American Spine Society, and the International Society of Medical Laser Application, among others. He has been recognized as America’s Top Anesthesiologist and a Vitals Patient’s Choice Award recipient.
- Dr. Boleslav Kosharskyy — Pain management specialist at the practice.
- Dr. Roman Shulkin, MD — Pain management specialist at the practice.
Services:
- Stem Cell Therapy: Autologous stem cells harvested from the patient’s bone marrow or adipose fat tissue are concentrated and injected into damaged joints, tendons, or discs to stimulate natural tissue repair. The use of the patient’s own biological material eliminates donor-compatibility concerns.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: The patient’s blood is drawn, centrifuged to concentrate growth factors, and injected into the affected area. PRP is often used as a standalone treatment or in combination with stem cell procedures to amplify healing signals.
- Platelet Lysate Therapy: A further concentration of platelet-derived growth factors, used in cases where a more refined biological preparation is indicated.
- Interstitial Laser Therapy: A minimally invasive laser-based treatment delivered directly to target tissue, used for pain reduction and tissue stimulation.
- Lipogems: A proprietary micro-fragmented adipose tissue procedure that processes fat-derived regenerative cells for injection into joints and soft tissues, providing both structural cushioning and biological repair signals.
- Prolotherapy Injections: Injection of a concentrated dextrose solution to stimulate a controlled inflammatory response in weakened connective tissue, promoting ligament and tendon strengthening.
Conditions Treated:
- Knee osteoarthritis and knee injuries
- Hip arthritis
- Shoulder arthritis, rotator cuff injuries, and tendonitis
- Chronic neck pain and cervical disc injuries
- Chronic back pain and lumbar disc degeneration
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Elbow injuries
- Hand and wrist injuries
Patient Experience:
The practice accepts same-day appointments and operates across four New York City locations, allowing patients to choose the most convenient borough. The multi-location model also supports continuity of care when patients relocate within the city. Initial consultations involve a review of imaging and medical history before a treatment plan is proposed.
2. Shoulders & Knees (Regenerative Orthopaedics)
Address: 136 East 57th Street, Suite 1501, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 207-1990
Website: https://www.stemcelltherapynyc.com
About: Shoulders & Knees, the private orthopedic practice of Dr. Steven Struhl, operates its regenerative medicine program under the name Regenerative Orthopaedics and has developed a well-documented reputation as one of Midtown Manhattan’s leading destinations for non-surgical orthopedic care. The practice’s philosophy is grounded in stimulating the body’s own healing mechanisms rather than masking pain through medication or rushing to surgical intervention, a stance that positions regenerative treatments as a first-line option for appropriate candidates rather than a last resort. Dr. Struhl has over four decades of orthopedic experience, having been board certified in orthopedic surgery since 1991 and in sports medicine since 2007, which places his clinical career among the longest-tenured in the New York regenerative medicine space. The practice holds affiliations with Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health and NYU Langone Hospitals, situating it within two of the city’s most prominent healthcare networks. In 2026, Shoulders & Knees was named a Top Patient Rated Doctor by Find Local Doctors, reflecting a patient satisfaction record built across more than 150 documented five-star reviews. Dr. Struhl has also served as medical consultant to the US Open tennis tournament and as Medical Director for Sportscare Physical Therapy, the official physical therapists for the Brooklyn Nets.
Physicians:
- Dr. Steven Struhl, MD — Dual board-certified orthopedic surgeon: Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery (1991) and Board Certified in Sports Medicine (2007). Medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. Orthopedic surgery residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Sports Medicine Fellowship at Penn State University. Fellow, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Member, Arthroscopy Association of North America. Hospital affiliations include Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health, NYU Langone Hospitals, and Midtown Surgery Center. Dr. Struhl is the inventor of a patented AC joint separation procedure, the Triple Endobutton technique, which has been adopted internationally for the treatment of severe shoulder separations. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and has presented his research at national and international orthopedic meetings. He speaks English, Spanish, and Russian.
Services:
- Stem Cell Therapy: Autologous stem cells are harvested from the patient’s own bone marrow, concentrated, and injected into damaged joints or soft tissues to promote biological repair. Dr. Struhl applies his decades of orthopedic anatomical expertise to precise placement of the injectate.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections: Concentrated platelet preparations derived from the patient’s blood are injected to deliver growth factors directly to injured tissue, accelerating healing in tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
- Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Viscosupplementation for joint lubrication, often used in combination with biologic treatments or as a bridge for patients managing osteoarthritis.
- Traditional Orthopedic Injections: Corticosteroid and other conventional injectables for acute inflammation management when clinically appropriate.
Conditions Treated:
- Arthritis pain and osteoarthritis (knee, hip, shoulder, ankle)
- Cartilage damage and cartilage repair
- Chronic tendonitis
- Tendon tears
- Ligament injuries
- Rotator cuff conditions
- Bone healing issues, including nonunion fractures
- Shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, hand, and wrist injuries
- Sports-related soft tissue injuries
Technology & Equipment:
The practice employs the IntraVu Needle Scope Arthroscopy system, a real-time minimally invasive diagnostic tool that allows visualization during procedures. The MAKOplasty robotic-assisted partial knee replacement system is available for surgical cases. The combination of diagnostic precision tools with regenerative injection capabilities reflects a practice that bridges conventional orthopedic surgery and biologic therapies.
Patient Experience:
The practice operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with locations in both Midtown Manhattan and White Plains for patients in Westchester County. The Westchester office is located at 222 Westchester Ave, Suite 308, White Plains, NY 10604, reachable at (914) 328-4111. Initial consultations with Dr. Struhl typically involve a review of existing imaging studies and a clinical examination before any treatment recommendation is made.
3. Thomas Youm, MD — Regenerative Orthopaedic Surgery
Address: 55 East 86th Street, Suite 1A, New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 348-3636
Website: https://www.newyorkstemcelltherapy.com
About: Dr. Thomas Youm is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Clinical Professor at the NYU School of Medicine whose practice integrates stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine within a broader framework of advanced hip, shoulder, and knee surgery on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. As Director of Hip Arthroscopy and Director of the Hip Arthroscopy Research Group at NYU Langone Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr. Youm occupies a position at the intersection of academic medicine and clinical practice that gives his regenerative work an evidence-based foundation uncommon in the private clinic space. He trained at some of the most competitive programs in the country — graduating cum laude from Yale University and attending NYU Medical School as a member of the AOA Honors Society — and went on to complete a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, where he participated in the orthopedic care of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Avengers, Sparks, Galaxy, and USC Football teams. His practice uses adult autologous stem cells derived from the patient’s own bone marrow, aspirated from the hip, concentrated, and delivered into the target area of damage or injury. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and more than 200 international presentations, Dr. Youm brings a depth of research engagement to regenerative medicine that distinguishes his practice from clinics where biologics are offered without an academic counterpart.
Physicians:
- Dr. Thomas Youm, MD — Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery; Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS). Yale University undergraduate (cum laude); NYU Medical School (AOA Honors Society). Orthopaedic surgery residency at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, with specialized trauma training at Harborview Hospital in Seattle. Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Los Angeles. Clinical Professor, NYU School of Medicine; Director of Hip Arthroscopy, NYU Langone Orthopaedic Hospital; Director, Hip Arthroscopy Research Group at NYU. Member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, International Society for Hip Arthroscopy, and Arthroscopy Association of North America. Twice recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award, voted by the graduating class of orthopaedic chief residents at NYU. Over 100 peer-reviewed publications; over 200 presentations at national and international meetings; textbook editor on proximal hamstring repair. Dr. Youm speaks English, Korean, and Spanish.
Services:
- Stem Cell Therapy: Autologous stem cells are aspirated from the patient’s bone marrow at the hip, concentrated through a processing step, and injected into the site of tissue damage — whether tendon, ligament, cartilage, or joint surface — to promote biological repair and reduce the need for surgical intervention.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy: Growth-factor-concentrated platelet preparations derived from the patient’s blood are applied to injured tissue to accelerate the healing cascade, commonly used for sports injuries including tendon and ligament damage.
- Hip Arthroscopy and Joint Preservation Surgery: Minimally invasive surgical treatment for labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement, avascular necrosis, and other hip pathologies, offered when regenerative therapy alone is insufficient.
- Shoulder Reconstruction: Arthroscopic and open surgical treatment for rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, and related conditions.
- Knee Surgery: Arthroscopic procedures for meniscus tears, ACL reconstruction, and cartilage restoration.
Conditions Treated:
- Hip labral tears
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
- Avascular necrosis of the hip
- Rotator cuff injuries
- ACL tears
- Meniscus tears
- Cartilage damage and articular cartilage lesions
- Chronic tendon and ligament injuries
- Athletic and sports-related musculoskeletal injuries
Patient Experience:
The practice is located on the Upper East Side at 55 East 86th Street and operates Monday through Friday. Patients seeking regenerative options typically begin with a consultation during which Dr. Youm reviews imaging studies and performs a clinical assessment before determining whether stem cell therapy, PRP, or a surgical approach is most appropriate. The academic context of the practice means that treatment recommendations are informed by ongoing research at NYU Langone, giving patients access to evolving protocols as the evidence base matures.
What to Know Before Choosing a Stem Cell Clinic in New York
Before committing to any stem cell therapy provider in New York, the single most important verification step is confirming that the treating physician holds an active, unrestricted New York State medical license and is board certified in a specialty directly relevant to the treatment being offered. The New York State Office of the Professions maintains a publicly searchable license verification database at no cost. Board certification can be verified through the American Board of Medical Specialties. In the regenerative medicine space, relevant certifications include orthopedic surgery, pain management, sports medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. A physician who is merely “certified” by a private regenerative medicine organization without underlying board certification in a recognized specialty is a materially different clinical proposition than one who completed a formal residency and fellowship and passed rigorous board examinations.
Imaging guidance during injection procedures is a non-negotiable standard of quality for any reputable stem cell or PRP practice. Ultrasound guidance allows the physician to visualize the needle tip in real time and confirm accurate placement into the target structure — a critical step when injecting into a hip joint, a shoulder bursa, or a specific region of a tendon. Fluoroscopy (live X-ray guidance) is used for spinal and deeper joint injections where ultrasound penetration is limited. Any clinic that cannot describe its imaging guidance protocol or that performs blind injections — relying on anatomical landmarks alone — presents a meaningful procedural risk, regardless of how compelling the marketing material appears. In New York’s competitive clinic environment, physicians with genuine procedural expertise will typically have no hesitation describing their guidance methods in detail.
The question of how stem cells are processed deserves specific attention. Autologous procedures using bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) or adipose-derived regenerative cells should involve a clearly described centrifugation or processing protocol. In-house processing, performed in a clinic-based centrifuge at the time of the procedure, avoids the chain-of-custody and viability concerns associated with sending biological material to external labs. Patients should also ask whether the product being used is a regulated biologic under FDA oversight. As of 2025, the FDA has maintained that most homologous, minimally manipulated autologous cell therapies are permissible, while more extensively processed or allogeneic products occupy a more complex regulatory position. A trustworthy New York clinic will be able to characterize where their products sit within this framework without evasion.
Finally, patients in New York should approach any clinic making extravagant disease-reversal claims with the same skepticism they would apply to any other medical promise. Regenerative medicine is a legitimate and rapidly advancing field, and the three clinics profiled in this directory represent physicians with verifiable credentials, real track records, and practices anchored in recognized medical specialties. At the same time, outcomes in stem cell therapy are genuinely variable and depend on the specific condition, the severity of degeneration, the patient’s age and overall health, and procedural factors. Asking a prospective provider what outcomes data they track, what their honest expectations are for your specific diagnosis, and what alternatives exist if the treatment does not produce the desired result — these are the questions that distinguish an informed patient from one who is simply buying hope. New York’s concentration of credentialed specialists means that a second opinion is always accessible, and any clinic that discourages one should itself be considered a warning sign.
Disclaimer: This directory is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement. Verify credentials and consult a licensed physician before pursuing any treatment.