What diseases can be treated with stem cell therapy?

The strongest evidence is in knee osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. In every case, treatment complements standard medical care, and results vary between patients.

This guide describes each group, how treatment is usually applied and how to know whether your condition is a good fit.

How one cell type can help different conditions

MSCs from Wharton's jelly act mostly through paracrine signaling: they release anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating and trophic factors. Many chronic conditions share common processes, such as chronic inflammation, damage to small blood vessels and tissue degeneration, and these signals may help in several of them. How the cells are applied depends on the condition:

• Local injection with ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance for joints, tendons, the spine and erectile tissue.
• Intravenous (IV) infusion for systemic, neurological, cardiovascular and wellness goals.
• Intrathecal application (into the spinal fluid, similar to an epidural) for selected neurological conditions, after review of medical reports.

1. Joints, spine and sports injuries

Conditions: knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, elbow, wrist and toe joint pain; multiple-joint problems; osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration; degenerative disc disease; tendon and ligament injuries; rehabilitation support after injury.

Evidence: this is the area with the strongest evidence. A 2024 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in the Journal of Orthopaedic Translation found that MSC injections reduced knee osteoarthritis pain more than hyaluronic acid at 12 months and improved function. A 2026 meta-analysis in the Asian Spine Journal found greater reductions in low back pain with intradiscal MSCs than with control treatments.

How it is applied: usually 20 to 40 million cells per area by direct injection with image guidance, often with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Typical cost: $3,900 to $6,000 USD for one joint, $6,000 to $9,000 USD for two or more joints, $4,500 to $6,500 USD for degenerative disc disease.

2. Neurological conditions

Conditions: stroke recovery, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy. In Alzheimer's disease, MSCs are used for their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective signals as a complement to the care of your neurologist, with the goal of supporting daily function and quality of life; they do not reverse memory loss.

Evidence: clinical studies show a favorable safety profile and improvements in neurological measures in some patients. Examples include a randomized trial of umbilical cord MSCs in children with cerebral palsy (Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2020), the CELLTOP trial in spinal cord injury (Nature Communications, 2024) and a Cochrane review in ischemic stroke.

How it is applied: IV infusion, usually 100 to 200 million cells, and in selected cases an additional intrathecal application, always alongside rehabilitation and the care of your neurologist.

Typical cost: $7,000 to $9,500 USD.

3. Cardiovascular, metabolic and kidney conditions

Conditions: congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, ischemia, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Evidence: a randomized trial of IV umbilical cord MSCs in heart failure (Circulation Research) reported improvements in ejection fraction and quality of life, and a 2025 meta-analysis found that MSCs reduced protein leakage in the urine in chronic kidney disease.

How it is applied: slow IV infusion with careful monitoring of fluids and blood pressure.

Typical cost: $6,000 to $8,000 USD.

4. Inflammatory and other conditions

Conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, chronic ulcers and wound care, hearing loss, macular degeneration, and recovery from infection, inflammation or surgery.

How it is applied: IV infusion for systemic goals; local application for wounds and ulcers; for hearing loss, some protocols add exosomes by nebulization; for macular degeneration, IV only, never injections into the eye.

Typical cost: $6,000 to $8,000 USD for most protocols.

5. Wellness, healthy aging and specific goals

Conditions and goals: healthy aging, fatigue and low energy, menopause and postpartum support, erectile dysfunction and hair quality.

Evidence: a randomized trial in older adults with frailty (Journals of Gerontology) found better walking distance and lower inflammatory markers after MSC infusions, and human studies in erectile dysfunction report improvements in erectile function scores.

Typical cost: $6,000 to $8,000 USD for wellness protocols, $3,000 to $5,000 USD for erectile dysfunction and $1,800 to $3,500 USD for hair.

Route by condition at a glance

Combining conditions in one plan

Many patients have more than one condition, for example knee osteoarthritis and high blood pressure, or back pain and fatigue. These can often be addressed in a single visit by combining a local application with an IV infusion. Combined plans are quoted together, which saves travel and is usually more favorable than treating each area on separate trips. The doctor decides the order and the number of cells for each component so the plan remains safe and comfortable.

What all conditions have in common

• A medical evaluation first: the doctor reviews your records, imaging and labs before confirming that treatment is appropriate.
• A single cell type: Wharton's jelly MSCs from a COFEPRIS-licensed laboratory, with quality and safety testing before release.
• Standard care continues: medications, rehabilitation and specialist follow-up remain in place.
• Measurable goals: each plan defines how progress will be tracked.

Safety

Large meta-analyses of IV MSC trials, including a 2026 analysis focused on umbilical-cord-derived MSCs in Stem Cells Translational Medicine, found temporary fever as the most consistent side effect, without an increase in serious infection, thrombosis, cancer or death in controlled trials. Local injections commonly cause temporary pain or swelling. No treatment is free of risk, which is why screening and monitoring are part of every protocol.

Conditions we do not treat with regenerative therapy

• Active cancer or cancer within the past five years.
• Active infections, until they are resolved.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Emergencies, such as an acute stroke, heart attack or sudden hearing loss, which need immediate hospital care.

Stem cell transplantation for blood cancers and certain blood disorders, which uses hematopoietic stem cells in specialized hospital centers, is a different treatment that we do not perform.

How to know whether your condition is a good fit

According to the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) patient guide, useful questions include what evidence supports treatment for your condition, how the cells are prepared and how safety is monitored. At Stem Cell Mexico, the evaluation answers these questions for your specific case:

1. Send your information through our medical questionnaire, with recent imaging or labs.
2. Talk with the doctor in a complimentary phone or video consultation.
3. Receive a written plan with the number of cells, route, nights at our facilities, inclusions and price.

If treatment is unlikely to help or the risks outweigh the expected benefits, the doctor will tell you. If your condition is not listed here, you can still send your information, and the medical team will review it individually.

What our patients usually receive

Most plans include the application of Wharton's jelly MSCs, one night at our facilities with nursing and medical monitoring, the consultation with your doctor and the stem cell specialist, pre-treatment laboratory tests and ground transportation from the San Diego airport area. Our team stays in contact after treatment to follow your progress.

Questions to ask during your evaluation

• Is my condition one where regenerative treatment can help?
• Which route and how many cells are recommended for me?
• How will treatment fit with my current care?
• How will we measure results?

Bottom line

Stem Cell Mexico offers regenerative treatment with Wharton's jelly MSCs for joint and spine problems, neurological conditions, cardiovascular, metabolic and kidney conditions, several inflammatory conditions and wellness goals, with the strongest evidence in knee osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. Treatment complements standard care, and results vary between patients. A medical evaluation can help determine whether this type of regenerative treatment is appropriate for your condition, goals and medical history.