Priority care · Regenerative & pain
Regenerative medicine & stem-cell-related pain care in Orlando
Knee, hip, shoulder, spine, tendon and nerve pain — evaluated by a physician board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. We find the source first, then tell you honestly whether PRP, a cell-based option, conventional care or nothing at all is the better choice.
Scheduling opens securely in Prospyr · in-office or telemedicine evaluation
In one paragraph
What regenerative pain care means at PrimeCell
Short answer
Regenerative pain care at PrimeCell, the Orlando practice of Kenny Chantasi, DO, is physician-led care for joint, tendon, spine and nerve pain. It starts with a diagnosis and can include ultrasound-guided injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and, for selected patients, stem cell or exosome products. No stem cell or exosome product is FDA-approved for orthopedic or pain conditions, and no injection can promise pain relief or tissue regrowth.
Pain rarely identifies its own source. A painful knee can be arthritis, a tendon, a meniscus, a nerve, or pain referred from the hip or spine — often more than one at once. An MRI that shows “degeneration” does not prove that finding is the cause. Dr. Chantasi’s training in PM&R and Pain Medicine is built around exactly this question: what is generating the pain, and what will change how you function?
Only after that is answered do we discuss options — rehabilitation, conventional injections, orthobiologics such as PRP, or a cellular product — with their evidence, regulatory status, risks and cost stated plainly.
What PrimeCell does
- Evaluates you in person (or by telemedicine first) before any product is discussed
- Uses musculoskeletal ultrasound for examination and needle guidance when appropriate
- Performs joint, trigger-point and peripheral nerve injections, PRP, PRF and prolotherapy when you are a candidate
- Performs one or more stem cell therapies that are not FDA-approved, as disclosed under Florida law, only after written informed consent
- Offers exosome products in selected cases, as an investigational option, after evaluation and written informed consent
- Provides a written estimate before any procedure
What PrimeCell will not do
- Imply that any stem cell or exosome product is FDA-approved for pain, arthritis or injury
- Promise pain relief, cartilage regrowth, or that surgery will be avoided
- Choose a product or sell a package before you have been examined
- Recommend a biologic when rehabilitation or conventional care is the better answer
- Present patient stories or statistics as proof of results
The procedure list
What PrimeCell offers for pain
Every procedure below is performed at PrimeCell by Dr. Chantasi, and only after an evaluation. Each is labelled with its FDA status for pain and orthopedic use.
Short answer
PrimeCell, in Orlando, offers diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided injections, small and intermediate joint injections, trigger-point injections, peripheral nerve blocks, therapeutic botulinum toxin injections, prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP, including a PRP gel preparation), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), umbilical-cord-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell injections, perinatal (birth-tissue) allograft injections and exosome products. Epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation and EMG/nerve-conduction studies are not performed at PrimeCell; they are coordinated or referred when needed.
Interventional pain procedures
- 01
Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound & ultrasound-guided injections
FDA-cleared device
Real-time imaging of tendons, joints, ligaments and nerves during the visit, and the same imaging used to guide the needle to the intended target.
- 02
Small & intermediate joint injections
FDA-approved drugs
Medication, usually a corticosteroid with a local anesthetic, placed into a joint such as the wrist, elbow, ankle, acromioclavicular joint or a small joint of the hand or foot. PRP vs. cortisone.
- 03
Trigger-point injections
FDA-approved drugs
A small injection, usually of local anesthetic, into a tight, tender knot in a muscle that is contributing to pain.
- 04
Peripheral nerve blocks
FDA-approved drugs Some uses off-label
Local anesthetic, sometimes with a corticosteroid, placed next to a specific nerve outside the spine to relieve pain or to confirm which nerve is involved. Neuropathy & nerve pain.
- 05
Therapeutic botulinum toxin injections
FDA-approved · chronic migraine, spasticity Off-label · TMJ, bruxism, other pain
Botox is FDA-approved for chronic migraine and for spasticity, and Xeomin for upper limb spasticity. Jaw-muscle (TMJ and bruxism) and myofascial pain injections are off-label, and the studies are mixed. Therapeutic uses of botulinum toxin.
- 06
Prolotherapy
Off-label
Injections of a concentrated dextrose (sugar) solution around a ligament or tendon, intended to provoke a local healing response. The evidence is limited and lower quality. Tendon & ligament injuries.
Regenerative & orthobiologic procedures
- 07
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Off-label
Your own blood, concentrated at the visit with an FDA-cleared device and injected into one or more joints, tendons or ligaments. How PRP is used for joint pain.
- 08
PRP gel preparation
Off-label
A thicker, gel-consistency preparation made from your own PRP. It has the same regulatory status as PRP, and published evidence for gel forms is more limited.
- 09
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)
Off-label
A close relative of PRP, spun from your blood without an anticoagulant so that it forms a fibrin matrix. Its evidence base is smaller than that of PRP. PRP vs. stem cells.
- 10
Umbilical-cord-tissue-derived stem cell injections
Investigational
Mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells derived from donated umbilical-cord tissue and supplied by an outside tissue laboratory. Not FDA-approved for any orthopedic or pain use; performed under Florida’s stem cell law with written informed consent. Stem cell therapy, explained.
- 11
Perinatal (birth-tissue) allograft injections
Investigational
Processed products made from donated birth tissue, such as placental, amniotic or umbilical tissue. Composition varies by product; the product, its source and its regulatory status are given to you in writing before you decide. Where the cells come from.
- 12
Exosome (extracellular-vesicle) products
Investigational
Cell-free vesicles released by cells grown in a laboratory. PrimeCell offers exosome products in selected cases, after a physician evaluation and written informed consent. No exosome product is FDA-approved for any use, the FDA has warned the public about unapproved exosome products,8 and the evidence in people is early. Exosomes explained.
Coordinated or referred, not performed at PrimeCell
Epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, EMG and nerve-conduction studies, spinal cord stimulation and surgery. When one of these is the better next step, Dr. Chantasi coordinates it with, or refers you to, an appropriate specialist.
By condition
Where patients usually start
Each condition page explains the likely causes, how Dr. Chantasi evaluates them, which options have evidence, and when a procedure is not the right answer.
- 01
Knee, hip & shoulder pain
Osteoarthritis, cartilage wear, bursitis and rotator cuff problems. The most common reason patients ask about PRP and stem cells — and the area with the most published trials.
- 02
Back & neck pain
Facet and sacroiliac joints, discs, muscles, ligaments and nerve roots — sorted out before any injection is considered.
- 03
Tendon, ligament & sports injuries
Tennis and golfer’s elbow, rotator cuff, patellar and Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis and partial tears that have not settled with rest and therapy.
- 04
Neuropathy & nerve pain
Burning, tingling and numbness. A workup for the cause comes first; regenerative claims for nerve repair are viewed with particular caution.
Options & regulatory status
Regenerative options are not interchangeable
PRP, cellular products and exosomes differ in source, processing, evidence and legal status. This is how we explain them to patients.
- FDA-approved
The FDA has approved the product for this specific use after reviewing safety and effectiveness data.
- Off-label / physician practice
An approved drug or a device-prepared material used in a way the FDA has not specifically reviewed. Legal and common in medicine; evidence varies.
- Not FDA-approved / investigational
No FDA approval for this use. Offered in Florida only under specific conditions, with written disclosure and consent.
| Option | What it is | Status for pain / orthopedic use | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation & exercise | Targeted strengthening, mobility and load management | Standard care | First-line for knee and hip osteoarthritis in major guidelines; often combined with any procedure. |
| Corticosteroid injection | Anti-inflammatory medication placed in a joint or around a tendon | FDA-approved drugs | Short-term relief for some conditions; limited durability; repeated use has trade-offs. |
| Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) | Your own blood, concentrated with an FDA-cleared device and re-injected | Off-label | Mixed. Some trials favor PRP for knee osteoarthritis and tennis elbow; a large placebo-controlled knee trial found no difference. |
| Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) & prolotherapy | Related autologous preparation; dextrose-based irritant injections | Off-label | Smaller, more limited evidence base. |
| Cell-based products | Cells from your own bone marrow or fat, or from donated umbilical-cord or other birth tissue | Not FDA-approved | Investigational. A 2023 randomized trial found no advantage over a steroid injection for knee arthritis at 12 months. |
| Exosome products | Cell-derived vesicles, without living cells | Not FDA-approved | Experimental; the FDA has issued a public safety notification about unapproved exosome products.8 |
Florida law (§458.3245 and, for osteopathic physicians, §459.0127, effective July 1, 2025) allows physicians to use certain non-FDA-approved stem cell therapies for orthopedic conditions, wound care and pain management — with sourcing requirements, written informed consent and the public notice shown on this page. That law does not make a product FDA-approved.
FDA status & Florida law, explained
Stem cell therapy: terms and what we offer
The PrimeCell Candidacy Assessment
How we decide whether a procedure makes sense
“Not a candidate right now” is a valid outcome of the assessment — not a failure of it.
History & records
Symptom pattern, what has and has not helped, medications, prior imaging and procedures.
Examination
Musculoskeletal and neurological exam: strength, sensation, motion, stability, gait.
Ultrasound & imaging review
Diagnostic ultrasound when it answers a real question; further imaging or nerve studies only when indicated.
Plan & estimate
Options compared with their evidence, risks and alternatives, and a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Every completed assessment joins PrimeCell’s Outcomes Follow-Up program, which tracks patient-reported pain and function with standardized measures. It has no published results yet; cohort-level findings will be shared only when enough patients have been followed long enough to report honestly.
Evidence, stated plainly
Do regenerative injections work?
Short answer
Sometimes, for some conditions, for a while — and the evidence differs sharply by product. PRP has the most trial data and the results are mixed. Cell-based and exosome products remain investigational for pain, and the best trials so far have not shown them to outperform standard injections.
A 2026 scoping review in Frontiers in Pain Research concluded that PRP, cytokine-rich serum and extracellular-vesicle (exosome) strategies are biologically distinct and should not be marketed as interchangeable; PRP has the strongest evidence of the three, while exosome therapy remains experimental.1 A 2026 review in Orthopedic Reviews found that PRP and stem-cell studies vary so much in preparation, dose and activation that firm protocol recommendations are not yet possible.2
For knee osteoarthritis specifically, a 288-patient placebo-controlled trial (RESTORE) found PRP did not improve pain or cartilage volume more than saline at 12 months,3 and a 480-patient randomized trial found bone-marrow, fat-derived and umbilical-cord cell injections were no better than a corticosteroid injection at one year.4 The American College of Rheumatology recommends against PRP and stem-cell injections for knee and hip osteoarthritis.5
That is why the plan starts with the diagnosis, why rehabilitation remains central, and why you will hear a clear “this is unlikely to help you” when that is the honest answer.
Candidacy
Who tends to be a reasonable candidate — and who is not
Often worth evaluating
- Pain lasting three months or more despite rehabilitation and conventional care
- A specific, identifiable pain generator (for example a tendon or joint)
- Mild-to-moderate arthritis rather than end-stage joint collapse
- Realistic expectations: gradual, possibly partial improvement
- Willingness to continue rehabilitation after a procedure
Usually not a candidate
- Complete tendon or ligament tears that need surgical repair
- Active infection, uncontrolled diabetes or certain blood disorders
- Active cancer or recent cancer treatment (for cell-based products)
- Pregnancy
- Expecting a guaranteed result or a single-visit cure
Cost
Self-pay, with a written estimate first
Regenerative procedures are not covered by insurance and PrimeCell does not bill insurance. Your total depends on the diagnosis, the area injected, whether image guidance is used, the product and the number of visits. You receive a written estimate before anything is scheduled, and qualifying patients can spread payments with Cherry.
Who performs your evaluation
Kenny Chantasi, DO
Board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and in Pain Medicine. Former Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and former Medical Director of Sanford Rehabilitation Hospital. Dr. Chantasi performs PrimeCell’s evaluations and procedures himself.
Go deeper
Questions patients research before a regenerative consult
Physician-reviewed, with sources.
- PRP vs. stem cells: how the options actually differ
- Stem cell and PRP injections for knee arthritis: what trials show
- What are exosomes, and are they FDA-approved?
- Which regenerative medicine products are FDA-approved?
- What are the risks of regenerative medicine?
- Questions to ask before trying regenerative medicine
- How to compare Orlando regenerative clinics
Other regenerative uses
PrimeCell also uses the same modalities (PRP, cellular products and exosomes) for some aesthetic, hair-loss and sexual-health concerns. None is FDA-approved for those uses: PRP is used off-label, and cellular and exosome therapies are investigational. Each is considered only after its own evaluation and written informed consent. See regenerative aesthetics, hair restoration and sexual wellness.
Questions
Regenerative pain care FAQ
What regenerative procedures does PrimeCell offer?
PrimeCell offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP, including a PRP gel preparation), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), prolotherapy, umbilical-cord-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell injections, perinatal (birth-tissue) allograft injections and exosome products, alongside ultrasound-guided joint injections, trigger-point injections and peripheral nerve blocks. Dr. Kenny Chantasi recommends a procedure only after an evaluation, and many patients are better served by rehabilitation or conventional care. The full list with FDA status.
Does PrimeCell offer stem cell therapy?
Yes. Dr. Chantasi performs one or more stem cell therapies that are not approved by the FDA, as disclosed in the Florida notice on this page: umbilical-cord-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell injections and perinatal (birth-tissue) allograft injections. They are investigational. Whether any cellular product is appropriate for you is decided only after an evaluation, and the product, its source and its regulatory status are reviewed with you in writing before any procedure.
Does PrimeCell offer exosomes?
Yes. PrimeCell offers exosome (extracellular-vesicle) products in selected cases, after a physician evaluation and written informed consent. No exosome product is FDA-approved for any medical or cosmetic use, the FDA has warned the public about unapproved exosome products, and exosome therapy is investigational, with early evidence in people. Exosomes explained.
Are epidurals or nerve ablation done at PrimeCell?
No. Epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation and EMG/nerve-conduction studies are not performed at PrimeCell. When one of them is the right next step, Dr. Chantasi coordinates it with, or refers you to, an appropriate specialist. PrimeCell performs joint and trigger-point injections, peripheral nerve blocks and ultrasound-guided procedures in the office.
Is stem cell therapy FDA-approved for joint or back pain?
No. The FDA has approved certain cell-based products for specific blood, immune and other disorders, but no stem cell or exosome product is approved to treat arthritis, back pain, tendon injuries or neuropathy.
What is the difference between PRP and stem cells?
PRP is a concentrate of your own platelets prepared in minutes with an FDA-cleared device. Cell-based products contain living cells or tissue, from your own bone marrow or fat or from donated birth tissue, and are regulated differently. PRP has more trial data; both have mixed results for pain.
Can an injection regrow cartilage?
Current evidence does not support promising that any injection regrows cartilage or reverses arthritis. The realistic goal is less pain and better function for some patients, and a better ability to participate in rehabilitation.
Will I still need physical therapy?
Usually, yes. Strength, mobility and load management remain central to recovery, and procedures work best as part of a rehabilitation plan rather than instead of one.
Does insurance cover regenerative injections?
Generally no, and PrimeCell is a self-pay practice that does not bill insurance. You receive a written estimate after your evaluation and before any procedure. How regenerative care is priced.
Find out what is actually causing your pain.
A physician evaluation with Dr. Chantasi: history, examination, ultrasound when useful, and a written plan — including when the right answer is not a procedure.
$97Initial physician consultation · offer valid through October 31, 2026
THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT.
References
- Di Lorenzo L, Forte AM, De Meo B, et al. Orthobiologics are not all the same: a mechanism-based scoping review of PRP, cytokine-rich serum, and extracellular vesicle–based strategies in musculoskeletal conditions. Front Pain Res. 2026;7:1772644. doi:10.3389/fpain.2026.1772644
- Obaid A, Burianek A, Marshall A, et al. Platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapies for musculoskeletal rehabilitation: current evidence on dosing, activation, and functional performance. Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2026;18:160607. doi:10.52965/001c.160607
- Bennell KL, Paterson KL, Metcalf BR, et al. Effect of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma vs placebo injection on pain and medial tibial cartilage volume in patients with knee osteoarthritis: the RESTORE randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021;326(20):2021-2030. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.19415
- Mautner K, Gottschalk M, Boden SD, et al. Cell-based versus corticosteroid injections for knee pain in osteoarthritis: a randomized phase 3 trial. Nat Med. 2023;29:3120-3126. doi:10.1038/s41591-023-02632-w
- Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee. Arthritis Care Res. 2020;72(2):149-162. doi:10.1002/acr.24131
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consumer alert on regenerative medicine products including stem cells and exosomes. fda.gov
- Florida Statutes §458.3245 and §459.0127, Stem cell therapy (2025). flsenate.gov
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Public safety notification on exosome products (December 6, 2019). fda.gov
Medically reviewed by Kenny Chantasi, DO, on September 23, 2026. General education only; not medical advice. Candidacy is determined at an individual evaluation. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.