Overview
Portland sits within one of the Pacific Northwest’s most robust healthcare ecosystems. The city is home to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), a nationally ranked academic medical center that anchors a network of teaching hospitals, specialty clinics, and affiliated practices throughout the metro area. This concentration of medical infrastructure means that Portland patients have access to board-certified specialists and fellowship-trained physicians across virtually every discipline, including regenerative and orthobiologic medicine. The city’s commitment to evidence-based practice and its dense network of Providence Health System hospitals further ensures that many regenerative medicine providers here maintain direct hospital affiliations and adhere to rigorous credentialing standards.
Patients seek stem cell therapy and related regenerative treatments for a range of reasons. Chronic musculoskeletal conditions — including osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and shoulder; tendon injuries; and degenerative disc disease — are among the most common drivers. Many patients arrive at a regenerative medicine clinic after exhausting conservative options like physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications, but before crossing the threshold into surgical intervention. Others are athletes seeking accelerated recovery from sports injuries, or adults in their forties and fifties looking to delay or avoid joint replacement surgery. The appeal is straightforward: the treatments use the body’s own biological materials, carry minimal systemic risk when performed properly, and can be completed in an outpatient setting with limited downtime.
Portland-area clinics offering stem cell therapy fall into several categories. Some are standalone regenerative medicine practices built around a single physician’s focused expertise in orthobiologics. Others are orthopedic group practices where a dedicated physiatrist or pain medicine specialist runs a regenerative medicine program alongside surgical colleagues. A third category includes practices affiliated with national networks such as Regenexx, which maintain standardized protocols and outcome tracking. The treatment methods you are most likely to encounter include bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and prolotherapy — each with a distinct biological mechanism, clinical indication, and evidence profile.
Evaluating a stem cell therapy clinic requires more than reading a website. Patients should verify that any treating physician holds an active MD or DO license through the Oregon Medical Board (available at oregon.gov/omb), confirm board certification in a relevant specialty such as orthopedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or pain medicine, and ask directly whether procedures are performed under ultrasound or fluoroscopic imaging guidance. Image guidance is a meaningful quality indicator: it substantially increases injection accuracy and is standard practice among experienced orthobiologic practitioners. Patients should also ask whether the clinic collects outcomes data, what protocols are followed for patient selection, and how the treating physician stays current with the evolving regulatory landscape around FDA oversight of cellular therapies. The clinics listed below met the criteria of a verifiable Portland-area address, a licensed MD or DO physician with publicly confirmable credentials, and an active https-secured website.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Portland
1. Ortho-Regen PDX
Address: 5050 NE Hoyt Street, Suite 626, Portland, OR 97213
Phone: (503) 231-1426
Website: https://www.ortho-regenpdx.com
About: Ortho-Regen PDX is a Portland-based orthopedic and regenerative medicine practice founded by Dr. Natalie S. Mesnier, MD, with the goal of bringing fellowship-level orthopedic expertise directly into the realm of non-surgical, biologic treatment. The practice is located on the Providence Portland Medical Center campus in the Providence Professional Plaza, placing it within a major hospital system environment with ready access to diagnostic imaging and specialist consultation. Dr. Mesnier built Ortho-Regen PDX to bridge two traditionally separate domains: high-level orthopedic surgical training and the emerging field of orthobiologics. The practice operates as a concierge-adjacent model, offering individualized treatment plans developed from comprehensive evaluations, and extends services to out-of-town and international patients who seek access to Dr. Mesnier’s subspecialty expertise. The clinic’s approach emphasizes using the correct biologic modality for each specific injury type and tissue target, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all protocol, and treatment may combine multiple orthobiologic tools in a single clinical plan.
Physicians:
- Dr. Natalie S. Mesnier, MD — Board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in Foot and Ankle Reconstruction completed at the Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She earned her MD from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, Illinois, and completed her orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS) and a member of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). Dr. Mesnier has more than 20 years in practice and maintains hospital affiliations with Providence Portland Medical Center and Columbia River Surgery Center. She is subspecialty trained in foot and ankle trauma, minimally invasive deformity correction, and total ankle replacement, and brings that surgical precision to her non-operative orthobiologic work.
Services:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: A sample of the patient’s own blood is processed in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets and growth factors, which are then injected under image guidance into the target tissue. PRP is used to reduce inflammation, promote healing in chronic tendinopathies, and may help delay progression of early-to-moderate joint arthritis.
- Microfragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT): A small amount of the patient’s own fat tissue is harvested, processed to isolate adipose-derived stromal cells and growth factors, and injected into the injured joint or tissue. MFAT provides both cellular scaffolding and a concentrated source of mesenchymal stem cells.
- Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC): Bone marrow is aspirated from the posterior iliac crest under local anesthetic, concentrated by centrifuge to isolate stem cells and growth factors, and injected precisely into the damaged area. BMAC is particularly used for moderate-to-severe articular cartilage degeneration.
- Shockwave Therapy: High-energy mechanical sound waves are applied to the affected area to improve local blood flow and stimulate the body’s healing response in chronic tendinopathies and calcific conditions.
- MLS Laser Therapy: FDA-cleared multiwave locked system laser treatment used to reduce inflammation and accelerate soft tissue repair without heat generation.
Conditions Treated:
- Knee, hip, and shoulder osteoarthritis
- Achilles tendinitis and rupture
- Plantar fasciitis
- Patellar tendonitis
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy and partial tears
- Ankle sprains and ligament injuries
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Hamstring and quadriceps strains
- Turf toe and forefoot sports injuries
- Foot and ankle deformities and arthritic conditions
Technology and Equipment: Procedures are performed with ultrasound imaging guidance to ensure accurate delivery of orthobiologic agents into target structures. The clinic uses MLS (Multiwave Locked System) laser equipment and dedicated shockwave therapy devices.
Patient Experience: Dr. Mesnier offers individualized treatment planning and provides concierge services for out-of-town patients. The office is located within the Providence Professional Plaza adjacent to Providence Portland Medical Center, providing easy access to diagnostic imaging and referral resources.
2. Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists (Regenerative Medicine Program)
Address: 11782 SW Barnes Road, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97225
Phone: (503) 214-5200
Website: https://www.orthopedicandfracturespecialists.com
About: Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists (O+FS) is one of the Portland metro area’s established orthopedic group practices, providing a full spectrum of orthopedic care from surgical intervention to non-operative regenerative medicine. The practice operates offices in both Portland (SW Barnes Road) and Beaverton (SW Murray Scholls Drive), making it accessible across a broad section of the metro area. The regenerative medicine program at O+FS is led by Dr. Ryan D. Thompson, DO, a board-certified physiatrist and pain medicine specialist, and functions as a dedicated non-surgical arm within a larger surgical orthopedic practice. This structure is clinically significant: patients undergoing regenerative treatment have direct access to orthopedic surgeons for consultation, imaging interpretation, and surgical backup if needed, all within the same practice system. O+FS emphasizes a rigorous patient selection process, using imaging and functional evaluation to determine whether a patient is an appropriate candidate for stem cell or PRP therapy before proceeding. The practice uses bone marrow aspiration as its primary stem cell source, often combining BMAC with PRP in a single injection protocol.
Physicians:
- Dr. Ryan D. Thompson, DO — Board-certified in both Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Pain Medicine. Dr. Thompson earned his DO from Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest in Lebanon, Oregon, completed his PM&R residency at The Ohio State University, and completed a fellowship in pain medicine at The University of Iowa. He maintains hospital affiliations with Providence Portland Medical Center, Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center, Providence Newberg Medical Center, and Providence Seaside Hospital. In his clinical practice, Dr. Thompson emphasizes diagnosis and management of disorders of the spine and peripheral joints using non-opioid medications, interventional procedures, and regenerative approaches. He leads the O+FS regenerative medicine program with a focus on evidence-based patient selection and image-guided injection accuracy.
Services:
- Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Stem Cell Therapy: Liquid bone marrow is aspirated from the posterior iliac crest under local anesthetic, centrifuged to concentrate stem cells and growth factors, and injected under imaging guidance into the affected joint or tissue. BMAC is frequently combined with PRP to provide a growth factor-rich environment that supports stem cell activity.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: A blood draw is processed to isolate and concentrate platelets and white blood cells, then injected into tendons, ligaments, or joints to stimulate repair and reduce inflammation. PRP is used both as a standalone treatment and as an adjunct to BMAC procedures.
- Prolotherapy: A natural irritant solution is injected into injured soft tissue to stimulate the body’s inflammatory healing response, used particularly for chronic ligament and tendon instability where other conservative treatments have failed.
Conditions Treated:
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Hip osteoarthritis
- Shoulder pain and rotator cuff tendinopathy
- Elbow tendinopathy (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow)
- Wrist and hand joint pain
- Ankle and foot joint pain
- Chronic tendon and ligament injuries
- Spine-related pain and degenerative disc conditions
Insurance and Pricing: Most insurance plans, including Medicare, do not cover stem cell injections. O+FS employs financial counselors who can assist with documentation for reimbursement requests. Patients are responsible for the full cost of regenerative procedures. The practice advises patients to contact the office for current pricing.
3. Advanced Pain Management Center (Regenexx Network Provider)
Address: 10305 SW Park Way, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97225
Phone: (503) 295-0730
Website: https://www.apmconline.org
About: Advanced Pain Management Center is a Portland-area interventional pain management practice led by Dr. Vladimir Fiks, MD, and is an authorized provider within the Regenexx network — one of the largest and most rigorously vetted orthobiologic physician networks in the United States. Regenexx maintains standardized treatment protocols, tracks patient outcomes in a national registry, and requires that affiliated physicians demonstrate documented proficiency in advanced image-guided injection techniques. Inclusion in the Regenexx network is not available to all practices; providers must meet specific credentialing and procedural competency standards. This affiliation means that patients at Advanced Pain Management Center receive treatment aligned with a nationally consistent protocol, and their outcomes contribute to a growing longitudinal dataset. Dr. Fiks brings an anesthesiology and interventional pain background to his orthobiologic work, a combination that contributes particular precision to image-guided procedures. The practice takes an integrative approach to pain care, incorporating in-house physical therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy alongside interventional and regenerative procedures, treating the patient’s overall functional status rather than the isolated injury site.
Physicians:
- Dr. Vladimir Fiks, MD — Board-certified in anesthesiology with two additional board certifications in pain management. Dr. Fiks earned his MD from Saratov State Medical University in Russia, completed a transitional internship at Jefferson Frankford Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then completed both a residency in anesthesiology and a fellowship in pain management at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland. He has over 25 years of experience in interventional pain management and has been practicing at Advanced Pain Management Center throughout that time, building a practice rooted in precise, imaging-guided procedures. He maintains hospital affiliations with Providence Portland Medical Center and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
Services:
- Regenexx-SD (Bone Marrow Concentrate): The flagship Regenexx stem cell procedure uses bone marrow aspirated from the posterior iliac crest, processed according to Regenexx’s proprietary concentration protocol to maximize viable cell yield, and injected under advanced imaging guidance into the target orthopedic structure. The Regenexx-SD protocol is distinguished from many clinic-based BMAC procedures by its laboratory processing standards and outcome tracking requirements.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Performed under Regenexx protocol standards, using the patient’s own blood processed to isolate a concentrated platelet solution for injection into injured joints, tendons, and ligaments.
- Integrative Pain Management: In-house physical therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy are available as components of a comprehensive pain treatment plan, recognizing that regenerative injections function best when integrated with rehabilitation and functional restoration.
Conditions Treated:
- Knee osteoarthritis and cartilage damage
- Hip osteoarthritis
- Shoulder labrum and rotator cuff conditions
- Elbow, wrist, and ankle joint pain
- Tendon and ligament injuries throughout the body
- Spine and disc-related pain conditions
- Chronic pain conditions requiring a multimodal treatment approach
Technology and Equipment: All Regenexx procedures at this practice are performed with advanced imaging guidance (ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) to ensure accurate delivery. The practice uses Regenexx-approved laboratory processing protocols for bone marrow concentrate preparation.
Patient Experience: Most patients resume light activity and work within five to seven days following a stem cell procedure and may return to sports and more demanding physical activity at approximately six to eight weeks, according to Regenexx protocol guidelines. The practice’s integration of physical therapy and psychological support is designed to optimize functional outcomes alongside the biological effects of regenerative treatment.
What to Know Before Choosing a Stem Cell Clinic in Portland
Before scheduling a consultation for stem cell therapy in Portland, patients should ask a set of direct questions that go beyond what most clinic websites volunteer. The single most important credential to verify is active MD or DO licensure with the Oregon Medical Board. License status, discipline history, and board certification claims can all be checked free of charge through the Oregon Medical Board’s public license lookup at oregon.gov/omb. Board certification in a clinically relevant specialty — orthopedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain medicine, or sports medicine — is a meaningful quality indicator because it requires passing rigorous examinations and maintaining ongoing continuing medical education. By contrast, certificates from organizations with minimal entry requirements or no peer-reviewed examination process carry little weight as quality indicators.
Imaging guidance during the injection procedure is a non-negotiable quality standard at the level of care Portland patients should expect. Ultrasound and fluoroscopy allow the physician to visualize the needle tip and confirm accurate placement before depositing the biologic agent. Studies consistently show that accuracy rates for joint injections drop substantially without imaging guidance, particularly in smaller or deeper structures. Ask any clinic you are considering whether all stem cell and PRP procedures are performed under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance, and whether the physician performing the injection is the same one who conducted your evaluation. Patients should be skeptical of clinics that cannot clearly answer this question or that describe a workflow in which a non-physician performs the injection.
Understanding the specific source material being used matters for informed consent. There is a meaningful clinical and regulatory difference between autologous procedures — in which cells are drawn from your own bone marrow or fat tissue during the same visit — and allogenic procedures using umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, or Wharton’s jelly sourced from a third-party tissue bank. The FDA has issued guidance clarifying that many third-party tissue products do not meet the criteria for the regulatory exemptions under which they are frequently marketed, and enforcement action against clinics offering these products has increased in recent years. Autologous bone marrow concentrate and autologous PRP remain the most clearly regulated and evidence-supported approaches for orthopedic applications. Ask any clinic to specify exactly what material will be injected, where it comes from, and how it is processed.
Finally, Portland patients should treat any clinic’s outcomes claims with healthy skepticism unless the practice can point to a transparent data source. Regenexx-affiliated providers contribute to a national outcomes registry that allows for comparison across providers and patient populations. Other practices may track their own outcomes internally; ask whether this data is available and how it is collected. Testimonials on a clinic website are not outcome data. Before proceeding, patients should also consult with their primary care physician or a relevant specialist to ensure they understand the full range of treatment options available to them, including both non-surgical conservative care and appropriate surgical options where indicated. Stem cell therapy is most effective for patients who are appropriate candidates by imaging and functional criteria, and a well-credentialed physician should be willing to tell you clearly if you do not meet those criteria.
Disclaimer: This directory is for informational purposes only and reflects publicly available information as of February 2026. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement of any clinic, physician, or treatment approach. Verify all physician credentials, licensure, and clinic information directly with the provider and through the Oregon Medical Board before pursuing any treatment. Consult a licensed physician before making any medical decision.