Stem cell therapy vs PRP, what’s the difference?

What is being injected, and where it comes from

PRP starts with a routine blood draw, spun down in the clinic to concentrate the platelet fraction, then injected the same visit. Stem cell preparations are obtained differently depending on the protocol, and the collection step can add time, discomfort, and cost to the procedure.

A clinic should be entirely specific about what product it is using and where it comes from. Vagueness on this point is a meaningful warning sign.

Cost, invasiveness, and evidence

PRP is markedly less expensive, less invasive, and better supported by published research — particularly for knee osteoarthritis and several tendinopathies. Stem cell therapy costs substantially more, involves more steps, and has an evidence base that remains investigational for orthopedic use.

The price difference alone is often significant enough to shape the decision, especially given that both are typically self-pay.

How the choice usually gets made

In practice PRP is generally tried first for suitable conditions, with cell therapy considered only if PRP and other conservative care have been given a genuine trial without adequate benefit — and only where imaging and history suggest it could be appropriate.

Anyone recommending cell therapy as a first step, before less involved options have been attempted, should be able to explain precisely why for your specific case.