Find out if you are a candidate



The hip is one of the body’s largest and most powerful joints, simultaneously withstanding our body’s weight while offering a range of motion that is only surpassed by the shoulder joint. Its ruggedness and durability, however, do not make the hip any less susceptible to the effects of trauma, disease and/or chronic overuse. Indeed, the fact that it is habitually stressed by repetitive movement means the hip is all too frequently damaged in some way at least once during our lives. And whether caused by excessive wear and tear (such as osteoarthritis, one of the most common causes of hip pain), a physical health issue (such as a pinched nerve, infection or cancer) or a traumatic injury (such as a sprain or fracture), hip pain can have severe consequences, limiting daily activity, affecting quality of sleep, precipitating physical deformity and even triggering episodes of depression for the millions of its worldwide sufferers.

Traditional treatments for hip pain have included rest, medication, physical therapy, arthroscopic hip surgery,  culminating in hip replacement surgery if and when acute episodes develop into chronic, debilitating conditions and/or previous interventions fail to provide significant pain relief. In fact, the number of total hip replacements is on the rise, adding to patients’ burdens and increasing the demands on their physicians and caregivers. 

The good news is traditional treatments are not the only options available today. Extensive research over the past 20 years supports the potential therapeutic benefit of using stem cell therapy to treat hip pain.

stem cells for hip

The Basics of Stem Cell Therapy for Hip Pain

Stem cells are unique cells within the body that have the capacity to stimulate cell growth and our body’s natural healing processes. During the early stages of our embryonic development, stem cells control the differentiation of our body’s tissues and organ systems. In our adult bodies, some types of stem cells remain in various tissues, directing the repair and/or regeneration of cells that have decayed or become damaged. Unfortunately, many areas of the body — like the hip — just don’t have enough stem cells and/or adequate blood supply to facilitate the full regeneration of tissue in this way. As a result, scientists became interested in finding ways to stimulate the proliferation of stem cells within the body so that tissue regeneration could occur naturally, repairing damage and disease without invasive procedures or chemical solutions.

For issues causing hip pain, stem cells have the potential to help reduce inflammation, as well as regenerate damaged tissue, thereby relieving the patients’ pain and helping them avoid medication(s), extensive conditioning exercises and/or surgery. In instances where previous treatments have already occurred, stem cells have also been shown to significantly speed up the recovery process.

stem cell therapy for hip pain patient review

Patient from Durango, CO uses stem cell therapy to treat degenerative arthritis in hip.

Individual patient results may vary. Please contact us today to find out if stem cell therapy may be able to help you.

Stem cell therapy may have the potential to be an effective hip pain treatment option with longterm symptom relief. It is important to have an experienced stem cell physician determine whether you are a candidate and to set appropriate expectations.

How Are Stem Cells Harvested?

Although some areas of the body produce fewer naturally-occurring stem cells, others have an abundance. At ThriveMD, we extract stem cells from adipose (fat) tissue, as well as bone marrow. We combine the aspirated stem cells with platelet-rich plasma to form a concentrated biologic solution rich in stem cells, growth factors and cytokines. We then inject the regenerative solution  into the damaged areas in need of  repair.

Are Stem Cells Dangerous?

Because stem cells used in stem cell therapies to treat hip pain are autologous (meaning they are taken from a patient’s own body and not from a donor), they are safe, posing no risk for rejection by offering a minimally invasive means for your body to potentially heal itself.


how stem cells are harvested for a stem cell injection
Find Out If You Are A Candidate

Stem Cell Therapy Procedure

Stem cell therapy to treat hip pain at ThriveMD is a minimally-invasive, out-patient procedure including the following steps:

  • Initial Consultation – The patient visits our office or have a virtual appointment by video where Dr. Brandt can review his or her history and any relevant imaging. During this one-on-one meeting, we educate the patient regarding options and procedure specifics.
  • The Procedure – Using IV sedation and local anesthesia, stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are harvested from the patient. We do this in a sterile office-based procedure suite, consolidate the accumulated biologics and then inject the concentrated solution into the patient’s damaged hip tissue using live image guidance. The whole process takes under two to three hours.
  • Post-Procedure – The patient walks unassisted from our office following the procedure and recuperates for one to two days at home before resuming daily activities. One month later, he or she returns for a follow-up injection to maximize continued tissue regeneration.

Stem Cell Treatments for Hip Issues

Stem cells offer relief for hip issues that traditional treatment options cannot; put simply, stem cell therapy is the only option that has the potential to regenerate hip tissue and not simply treat hip pain symptoms.

Stem Cell Therapy for Hip Pain

The hip joint is an important one. It helps us stand upright, walk, run and sit, thus sustaining our body’s weight while still enabling us to move freely. When injury, disease or aging results in hip pain, many people find themselves unable to comfortably engage in the normal activities of daily living, causing them to lose functional ability and sleep and/or become psychologically impaired. Traditional treatments of rest, medication, rehabilitation and surgery take time and frequently come with a host of potential complications. Stem cell therapy for hip pain, on the other hand, has the potential to offer many long term benefits.

Advantages of a Hip Stem Cell Injection

Because a stem cell injection for hip pain is a minimally-invasive procedure completed in an office based procedure suite, many of the risks associated with major surgery are significantly reduced, such as infections, bleeding, blood clots and nerve injuries. Furthermore, the recovery time is significantly reduced, enabling patients to return to normal or near-normal activity much sooner than they would following surgical or even physical conditioning treatments. A hip stem cell injection is also the only treatment option capable of possibly promoting tissue regeneration within the hip joint; traditional treatments only treat pain symptoms and do little to facilitate the natural repair of hip cartilage.

How Stem Cell Treatment Heals Hip Pain

Research shows that stem cell therapy for the hip joint works by potentially stimulating cellular growth within damaged tissue structures. This can aid local tissue repair since many stem cells release paracrine signals that work to reduce inflammation and cell death, speed healing and contribute to improved tissue regeneration in damaged cartilage such as the intra-articular cartilage and labrum. Specifically, growth factors (called cytokines) present in the PRP and bone marrow concentrate within the stem cell aspirate aid in cellular communication, accelerating wound healing by improving blood supply  and providing a scaffolding of fibrin on which stem cells can attach and more easily form new tissue. The result: the regeneration of cartilage within the hip joint and subsequent lessening of hip pain.


Contact our Vail or Denver office to find out if you could be a candidate for stem cell therapy.


Stem Cell Treatments as Alternatives to Hip Replacement

At thriveMD, we have helped an enormous number of patients avoid hip replacement surgery with our state-of-the-art stem cell procedure.

As mentioned, a stem cell treatment can be a preferred alternative to hip replacement surgery since it is minimally-invasive, poses little risk to patients and is the only treatment option with the capacity to generate new tissue (not just replace it with an artificial implant).

Treating Hip Pain Without Traditional Surgery

Of course, there are other non-surgical options for treating hip pain. In addition to stem cell therapy, patients can choose to rest, take medication (including over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen and prescribed opioids/narcotics; muscle relaxants; topical creams; steroid injections and even antidepressants) and/or undergo physical therapy in an attempt to strengthen surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments, providing stability to the hip joint. While any of these could help alleviate hip pain to a degree, none of them offer the same potential advantages that stem cell therapy does: the ability to regenerate cartilaginous hip tissue naturally.

Stem Cell Therapy Procedure vs. Hip Replacement

Like numerous patients with knee issues who are told they need invasive surgical intervention in order to alleviate their pain, many hip pain sufferers can instead consider regenerative procedures like stem cell therapy as a way to avoid surgery and its accompanying risks and complications. Here’s a quick comparison of stem cell therapy for hip pain and hip replacement surgery:

Stem Cell Therapy Hip Replacement Surgery
Out-Patient Procedure Often Requires a Hospital Stay
Minimally-Invasive with No Incisions Major Surgical Procedure with Risk of Complications Such As Infections, Bleeding, Blood Clots and Nerve Injuries
1-2 Day Recovery at Home 1-2 Day Recovery in the Hospital Weeks at Home
Return to Normal Activity Usually within 6 Weeks Return to Normal Activity Usually within 10 Weeks to 12 Months
All-Natural Tissue Regeneration and Repair Artificial Implant
Results Potentially Last a Lifetime Average 15-25 Year Lifespan of Artificial Hip Replacement Devices 

Stem Cell Therapy Recovery Time

Recovery following a stem cell procedure for hip pain is significantly shorter than that of most surgical interventions. Our patients at ThriveMD, for example, usually walk out of our office with little or no assistance following their hip stem cell procedure. Many return to work within 1-2 days and resume normal activities within 4-6 weeks. As early as six months post-op, a majority are significantly better with dramatically improved range of motion in the treated hip. When PRP boosters are applied, the results are often further enhanced.

Hip Conditions that Stem Cells Can Treat Effectively

Stem cell therapy most effectively treats chronic, degenerative conditions of the hip. The most common hip conditions we treat successfully with stem cell therapy at ThriveMD include hip arthritis and hip labral tears.

    Stem Cell Treatment for Hip Arthritis

    Hip arthritis is one of the leading causes of hip pain worldwide and involves the wearing away of the cartilage between the bones of the hip joint. It can affect anyone, but certain factors increase an individual’s risk of having hip arthritis such as being older, female, overweight and/or having bone deformities or certain diseases. Furthermore, hip arthritis can run in families, with repeated stress or injury to a joint further increasing any person’s overall risk. 

    Stem cells help treat hip arthritis by expressing anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic signals that consequently produce an environment that is conducive to tissue regeneration and wound healing. It is also believed that stem cells have the potential to alter further tissue degeneration.

      Stem Cell Therapy for Hip Labral Tears

      Similarly, stem cell therapy offers great hope for patients with hip labral tears. A hip labral tear occurs when the labrum, the ring of cartilage around the hip joint socket that provides stability to the joint, suffers a tear. Athletes are particularly prone to hip labral tears, as are people with hip deformities resulting from genetic conditions and/or disease. Arthroscopic surgery is often recommended for tears that haven’t improved with rest or physical therapy and involves the surgical removal of areas of the labrum. Such removal, however, often negatively affects overall hip stability, leaving a patient especially vulnerable to additional injury and/or the worsening of arthritic hip issues.

      A better alternative to surgery can be to use stem cells to help regenerate and repair labral tissue. Research shows that stem cells injected into a labral tear can also help reduce inflammation, relieve pain and improve overall function. 

      Top Stem Cell Doctor for Hip Pain

      stem cell injections for knee injuries

      Not all stem cell clinics are created equal. ThriveMD is a Colorado-based premier authority on stem cell treatments for hip pain serving clients nationwide. Our medical director, Dr. Brandt, has extensive training in interventional pain management and stem cell therapy, using his skills to successfully treat thousands of patients. In addition, he remains vigilant in staying abreast of advancements within the field of regenerative medicine, instructing other physicians in stem cell injection techniques, speaking at conferences, and continuing to research and publish on a variety of topics. Dr. Brandt’s expertise using live image guidance and the latest, proven, techniques, along with his thoughtful and caring demeanor, mean all ThriveMD patients receive the highest quality of care with the most beneficial biologic solutions for their hip pain.

      Next Steps

      If you or someone you care about suffers from debilitating hip pain, please contact us today. We can review your history and help you determine if stem cell therapy might be a viable solution.

      Stem Cell Hip Patient Reviews

      Approximately 65% of thriveMD’s new patients are referrals from existing patients.

      Looking Forward to Returning to Competitive Soccer

      Stem Cell Therapy for Hips

      “I am a pain management physician myself. I am 52, and physically very active. I still play soccer competitively.

      Six months ago I suffered a hip injury with a labrum tear. Due to the pre-existing wear and tear, the only conventional treatment, which was offered to me was total hip replacement. I wanted to remain physically active and continue to play sports, so I decided that this is not the best option for me.

      I choose instead to try stem-cell therapy. Ten days ago I had my procedure done by Dr. Brandt, and since then I have nothing but positive things to say about him and his practice. Everyone in his office was extremely welcoming and put me at ease and comfort about my procedure. The procedure went very smooth. And I did not have ANY post procedure pain or discomfort. I had no need for any pain medication. I was back to work seeing patients on the 2nd day after the procedure. My hip already feels noticeably better.

      I have the second procedure scheduled in four weeks, and I am confident that in another 3-4 weeks I’ll be back playing soccer again. Thank you, Dr. Brandt and team for taking such excellent care of me.” *

      Posted on Google reviewsFrank, patient follow-up

      Steady Pain Improvement

      Stem Cell Treatment for Hips and Achilles

      “I had a procedure with Dr. Brandt in the last 12 months, and I’ve seen slow and steady improvement from about the 3rd month post-procedure through today, about 9-months later. I’m really encouraged with the pain reduction I’ve had so far, and I’m hopeful that it will continue over the coming months! Strongly recommend.” *

      Posted on Vitals.com

      Frank, patient follow-up

      I’m Able to Walk Again

       stem cell procedure for hip, left leg, ankle, lumbar, & spine

      “Symptoms prior to procedure: Hip pain, leg pain all the way to the foot and neuropathy in both feet.

      Improvement since procedure: The second day, I could feel an improvement in my leg, and a couple of days later the leg pain was gone all the way down to the feet.

      Increase activity level: I have been able to walk 4 blocks, non-stop, whereas prior to the stem cell procedure I would have about 3 minutes before I found a chair.

      Feel during procedure: There was no pain during the procedure, or afterwards. I did take a Tylenol at bedtime that I didn’t really need.

      Overall experience at thriveMD: I have been at both office of Dr. Brandt, both are nicely done, like new and the nurses are very attentive to the patient. All in all the experience was very easy. Dr. Brandt was very attentive as well.”*

      Frank, patient follow-up

      Significant Improvement in Balance, Pain, & Gait

      Stem Cell Treatment for Hip & SI Joint

      “Two and half years ago I was thrown from my horse and suffered multiple fractures to my pelvis. Due to the accident, I was hospitalized and then had to use a walker for three months to get around. I essentially had to relearn how to walk. I had Stem Cell Therapy in Oct. 2016 for my SI joint and hip. It has now been three months after my initial stem cell injections and 1) I have significant improvement in my overall balance 2) do not have any SI joint pain and 3) I have a noticeable improvement in my gait.” *
      Posted on Vitals.comFrank, patient follow-up

      *Individual patient results may vary. Contact us today to find out if stem cell therapy may be able to help you.

      Next Step

      If you believe you or someone you care about could be a candidate for stem cell therapy administered by a trusted clinic, please contact us today.