Stem Cell Therapy 9 Things You Need to Know by Dr. David Greene of R3 Stem Cells.
                     Stem Cell Therapy: 9 Things You Need 
to Know by Dr. David Greene of R3 
Stem Cells.
Dr. David Greene R3 Stem Cell
Stem cell therapy has become 
more mainstream and 
provides people with an 
alternative to surgery with 
minimal downtime. In fact, 
celebrities and athletes alike 
are sharing their personal 
experiences of overcoming 
pain and injury with this 
beneficial treatment.
Here are the Top 9 things 
you need to know about 
Stem Cell Therapy from 
the 2022 ‘Face of 
Regenerative Medicine
1. What is Stem Cell 
Therapy?
Stem cell therapy is a non-surgical, 
outpatient procedure that utilizes 
the body’s natural healing process. 
This safe and effective treatment 
works to:
• Rebuild damaged tissue 
• Effectively heal injuries 
• Eliminate pain 
2. What Conditions and Areas of 
the Body Does Stem Cell Therapy 
Treat?
Stem cell therapy can be used for the relief of 
most orthopedic conditions and common spinal 
conditions. While we are one of the only practices 
in Virginia to use stem cell therapy to heal discs in 
the spine, our regenerative medicine specialists 
have pioneered this safe and effective solution for 
most orthopedic conditions. Most commonly, stem 
cell therapy is used for:
• Persistent tendon tears such as tennis elbow, 
plantar fasciitis, quadriceps, and patellar 
tendon tears.
• Non-healing bone fractures
3. Should I Have Surgery, or 
Should I Have Stem Cell Therapy?
People choose the route of stem cell therapy as a 
viable option to delay surgery or even avoid 
surgery altogether. By targeting the underlying 
source of pain, stem cell therapy can increase 
your function and mobility without surgery or 
medication. It can also reduce your recovery time 
compared to surgical options. The recovery 
timeline between surgery and stem cell therapy is 
incomparable. Stem cell therapy is always 
performed as an outpatient procedure with the 
complete process taking about three hours from 
procedure prep through to when patients are 
discharged to go home
4. How Long Does Stem Cell 
Therapy Last?
This answer depends on the person’s own 
pathology, the part of the body the treatment 
is being performed on, and how damaged that 
area is. For many patients, this is the last 
treatment they’ll ever need for their injury. It 
allows them to avoid surgery, and get back to 
their active life. For others, if there is 
extensive damage, or their body is slow at 
healing, it might take a few rounds of stem 
cells to get them back to pain-free.
5. What Makes a Good Candidate 
for Stem Cell Therapy?
Every person’s situation is unique, which is why 
our nationally-recognized specialists will 
determine whether or not stem cell therapy is the 
best treatment option for your condition. During 
your comprehensive consultation, your doctor will 
spend quality time with you to understand your 
overall health, underlying medical needs, lifestyle, 
job requirements, and expectations. By doing this, 
we can lay out your customized treatment plan 
and sometimes combine regenerative therapies to 
achieve the most optimal outcome for you.
6. Is Stem Cell Therapy Painful?
Stem cell therapy procedures are not very 
painful at all. I numb the area to make it 
as comfortable as possible. And in the 
event a patient is feeling discomfort, I will 
add additional numbing medicine to the 
area to contain it. Once the treatment is 
over, most patients are just using over-
the-counter pain medicine for a day or 
two. 
7. Is Stem Cell Therapy 
Approved by the FDA?
Stem cell therapy is FDA-exempt. The FDA 
does not regulate the treatment we 
perform because we are using the 
patient’s own bone marrow and blood to 
perform it. Now if this treatment was 
performed by using someone else’s bone 
marrow, then it would fall under the FDA 
regulation.
8. What Type of Stem Cells Are 
Used for Stem Cell Therapy?
We use your own stem cells for your stem 
cell therapy procedure. We do not use 
embryonic stem cells or stem cells from 
another patient. Your own stem cells are 
taken directly from your body’s bone 
marrow, and then precisely placed into 
the area of injury using image guidance. 
Your bone marrow’s stem cells are called 
Mesenchymal Stem Cells, and are known 
as the body’s ‘repairmen.’ They have the 
ability to repair muscle, bone, cartilage, 
and tendons.
9. Where Can I Safely Receive 
Stem Cell Therapy?
Not all doctors and practices are the 
same. You want to find a medical practice 
that has a doctor who is highly trained 
and skilled at performing stem cell 
therapy. Your regenerative medicine 
specialist should understand the different 
types of regenerative medicine 
procedures and should be able to offer a 
unique and customized treatment plan for 
you.
Thank 
You!