Regenerative medicine is a field that, instead of replacing damaged tissues with prosthetics, aims to restore them. It sounds like science fiction, but over the past 15 years, science has advanced enough to make this a reality. However, not everything called "regenerative" is equally effective.

What regenerative orthopaedics is

The term covers injections of products made from the patient’s own tissue — blood, bone marrow or fat — for osteoarthritis, tendinopathy and injuries. The aim is to reduce pain and inflammation and support healing. They cannot replace a joint or grow new cartilage.

Main methods

  • PRP — platelet-rich plasma; the best-studied procedure.
  • CGF — a blood concentrate with a fibrin matrix, similar to PRP; few comparative studies.
  • BMAC — bone marrow concentrate from the iliac crest.
  • MFAT — microfragmented fat tissue after mini-liposuction.
  • SVF — fat cells isolated with enzymes; regulated as a medicinal product in the EU.

An honest comparison

PRP / CGFBMAC / MFAT
HarvestBlood from a veinBone marrow aspiration or mini-liposuction
EvidenceModerate for knee osteoarthritis and tennis elbowLimited, small studies
Cartilage restorationNot provenNot proven
Usual duration of effectSeveral monthsIndividual, little data
CostLowerHigher

What these methods can and cannot do

In some patients with early and moderate osteoarthritis, tendinopathies and partial injuries they reduce pain for several months. In severe osteoarthritis, complete tears with loss of function and neurological deficits they do not replace surgery.

Questions to ask a clinic

  • Which product exactly is offered, and why this one?
  • Is it injected under ultrasound or X-ray guidance?
  • What results can be expected, when are they assessed and what happens if there is no effect?
  • What are the alternatives, including simpler and cheaper ones?
  • What is included in the price?

More on methods in the treatments section.

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Who it is not suitable for and possible risks

Contraindications

  • Active infection — at the injection site or systemic, with fever.
  • Active cancer or ongoing chemotherapy.
  • Blood clotting disorders or a low platelet count. Anticoagulants are discussed with the physician.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding — the procedure is usually postponed.
  • A corticosteroid injection into the same area in recent weeks.
  • Severe stage IV osteoarthritis with axial deformity and joint destruction — joint replacement is usually discussed instead.

Possible risks

  • Pain and swelling at the injection site for 1–3 days.
  • Bruising where blood or fat tissue is taken.
  • Rarely, infection. The procedure is therefore performed under sterile conditions with ultrasound or X-ray guidance.
  • The effect may be absent or smaller than expected.

If any of these apply to you, mention it in your request. The coordinator will check with the clinic physician whether treatment is possible. Contact a coordinator.

Scientific evidence

Studies of regenerative methods show mixed results. Clinic physicians rely on research including the following:

  1. Mao AS et al. Regenerative medicine: Current therapies and future directions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2015.
  2. Pas HI et al. Stem cell injections in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of the literature. Br J Sports Med, 2017.

Next steps: Treatment methods · Treatment cost · How treatment in Germany is organised

Clinic and method matching — free of charge

Describe your case and attach your MRI report. We will identify clinics that use the relevant methods and forward your request to them. No obligation; we reply within 24 hours.

Send a request

Frequently asked questions

What is regenerative orthopaedics?

Treatment with injections of the patient’s own biological materials — PRP, fat tissue or bone marrow concentrates — for osteoarthritis, tendinopathy and injuries. These methods mainly reduce pain and inflammation; the evidence varies.

Are these procedures legal in Germany?

Yes, when minimally processed autologous tissue is used within a single procedure. Methods with laboratory-grown cells are regulated as medicinal products (ATMP) and are mostly available in trials.

Who are regenerative methods not suitable for?

People with active infection, cancer, clotting disorders or pregnancy, and patients with stage IV osteoarthritis or complete tears with loss of function — surgery is more often needed there.

How does RegenPAS help organise treatment?

RegenPAS is a patient service centre in Munich, not a clinic. We review your images and symptoms and send a request to several partner clinics at once. Clinics that can accept you send their own conditions and price; prices differ between clinics, and you choose the option that suits you. The coordinator replies within 24 hours, and a clinic physician’s preliminary opinion follows in 1–3 business days. We then arrange the appointment, visa invitation, interpreter, transfers and accommodation. Treatment decisions are made by the clinic physician. Contact a coordinator.

How much does treatment cost and how long do I need to stay in Munich?

The cost depends on the method, the diagnostics needed and the clinic itself: prices differ between clinics. We request offers from several clinics and send you their conditions and quotes so you can compare. Price guidance is on the treatment cost page. For an outpatient procedure, 2–3 days in Munich are usually enough: examination, procedure and follow-up visit.