Regenerative injections compared
“Stem cell injection” is a loose umbrella term. Here is what it usually means, how Mytocel MSK compares, and why we are careful with the words.
Reviewed byProfessor Paul Lee MBBch, FRCS (Tr & Orth), PhDCartilage and joint preservation expertise“Stem cell injection” is a loose umbrella, not one single treatment. In practice it usually means BMAC (cells concentrated from your bone marrow) or mFat (from your fat). Mytocel MSK micrografts also carry your own progenitor and repair cells, but we are careful with terminology: they are your own tissue prepared into micrografts, not isolated, laboratory-cultured stem cells. All of these are autologous and given in a single session with no laboratory culture. Which suits you depends on the joint and the tissue source. Fat or marrow options are from £5,800; Mytocel MSK is from £3,000.
Every option here is autologous and offered at London Cartilage Clinic. We would rather be plain about the words than oversell: Mytocel MSK micrografts contain your own repair cells, but they are not marketed as isolated stem cells.
| What to compare | “Stem cell” injections | Mytocel MSK |
|---|---|---|
| What the term means | A loose umbrella, usually BMAC from bone marrow or mFat from fat | A specific technique: your own tissue prepared into living micrografts |
| Source tissue | Bone marrow (BMAC) or fat (mFat), depending on the method | A small sample of your own tissue |
| What it delivers | Cells concentrated from marrow or fat, with their surrounding components | Micrografts carrying your own progenitor and repair cells and their matrix |
| Terminology | Often described as “stem cells”, though the exact cell mix varies | Described honestly as micrografts, not isolated cultured stem cells |
| Laboratory culture | None | None |
| Sessions | One | One |
| Autologous (your own tissue) | Yes | Yes |
| Available at London Cartilage Clinic | Yes, from £5,800 | Yes, from £3,000 |
Every option here is offered at London Cartilage Clinic; this is a genuine choice, not a takedown of any of them.
“Stem cell injection” gets used as a catch-all, and that can muddy an honest conversation. Under the umbrella sit different treatments, most often BMAC (cells concentrated from your own bone marrow) and mFat (from your own fat). Mytocel MSK belongs in the same family in that it uses your own cells, and the micrografts do carry your progenitor and repair cells. But Professor Lee is careful with the words: Mytocel MSK is your own tissue prepared into micrografts, not isolated, laboratory-cultured stem cells, and we will not market it as something it is not. All of these are autologous and single-session, with nothing grown in a laboratory. Which one suits you comes down to the joint and the tissue source, decided on examination and imaging.
Not in the way that phrase is usually meant. Mytocel MSK micrografts do carry your own progenitor and repair cells, but they are your own tissue prepared into micrografts, not isolated, laboratory-cultured stem cells. Professor Lee is deliberately careful with the terminology rather than marketing it as something it is not.
“Stem cell injection” is a loose umbrella. In practice it most often means BMAC (cells concentrated from your own bone marrow) or mFat (regenerative cells from your own fat). The exact mix of cells varies with the method, which is why it helps to ask precisely what any injection contains.
Yes. BMAC, mFat and Mytocel MSK are all autologous, prepared from your own bone marrow, fat or tissue and given in a single session with no laboratory culture. None uses donor material. Mytocel MSK is made by Remedi on their Regenera Activa micrografting system.
Because honesty matters more than a marketing label. Mytocel MSK contains your own repair cells, but calling it an isolated stem cell therapy would overstate what it is. It is your own tissue prepared into micrografts, and we would rather say that plainly than oversell it.
Fat or marrow-derived options are from £5,800, and Mytocel MSK is from £3,000. Your exact plan and cost are confirmed at consultation, once Professor Lee has reviewed your imaging and discussed what each injection contains. See the Mytocel MSK page.
Still have more specific concerns?
Free Discovery CallOptions that our doctors may discuss include NanoACi, ChondroFiller, Mytocel MSK, joint replacement, established conservative care or surgery, depending on examination and imaging.
The fairest next step is a review of your imaging and an honest conversation about what each injection contains. Start with a free discovery call, or book a consultation with Professor Lee.
London Cartilage Clinic
Clinical updates, cartilage treatment guidance, and recovery-focused articles from our specialist team.
Cartilage MRI reports describe anatomy but rarely include measured lesion area—the figure most determining treatment strategy. Defects below 2–4 cm² are typically managed with bone-marrow stimulation or cartilage grafting; larger injuries favour cell-based implantation.
Inside-knee pain without swelling signals early cartilage damage that progressively widens through ordinary walking unless treated — marking a closing intervention window. ChondroFiller, a collagen scaffold injected under ultrasound, protects the defect and recruits the body's own repair cells.
ChondroFiller injection, an injectable collagen scaffold that recruits progenitor cells to form cartilage-like tissue, delivers functional gains of approximately 30 IKDC points in advanced knee osteoarthritis — meaningful improvement that defers rather than cancels joint replacement.
