What are facet joints?

Small paired joints at the back of each vertebra that let the spine bend and twist. Like any joint, their cartilage can wear, and when it does the joints become inflamed and stiff.

Is this the same as degenerative disc disease?

No, although the two often occur together. Disc disease is the drying and thinning of the cushions between vertebrae. Spinal osteoarthritis is wear of the facet joints behind them. Your imaging review tells us which is driving your symptoms.

How is the treatment given?

Typically as image-guided injections at the affected spinal levels, sometimes combined with intravenous delivery, in a single visit to our licensed clinic in San José.

Can this help with pain that runs into my arm or leg?

Sometimes. Enlarged facet joints and bone spurs can press on nearby nerves. Whether treatment is appropriate for nerve symptoms depends on what your imaging shows.

Who is not a candidate?

Active infection, certain cancers and some other conditions rule treatment out. Your medical review determines candidacy, not this page.

Spinal Osteoarthritis Stem Cell Treatment

How stem cell therapy may help with spinal osteoarthritis

The spine bends and turns through dozens of small facet joints. When their cartilage thins, pressure rises, inflammation settles in, and the back or neck loses its ease. Pain medication, cortisone and physical therapy manage the symptoms. They do not address the joints themselves.

Mesenchymal stem cells are studied for their ability to reduce inflammation in the facet joints.
Research examines how cell signalling may affect inflammation and the tissue environment. Evidence and clinical outcomes vary by application.
Treatment is delivered to the affected spinal levels under imaging guidance.
Cells are prepared in our own laboratory and used fresh, never frozen.
The protocol is written for your spine, your imaging and your goals.

Concerns to discuss with your care team

Aching in the lower back or neck

Worse with standing, walking or long sitting. Better, briefly, when you change position.

Morning stiffness

A back or neck that needs an hour of gentle movement before it will cooperate.

Lost flexibility

Bending, twisting, looking over your shoulder to reverse the car.

Nerve symptoms

Pain, tingling or numbness that travels into an arm or leg when a worn joint presses on a nerve.

Who may be a candidate

Adults with spinal or facet joint osteoarthritis confirmed by imaging, who have not found lasting relief from physical therapy, medication or injections, may be evaluated. Candidacy is decided by our physicians after a medical review of your history and imaging, never by a form.

Treatment is not offered where there is active infection, certain cancers, spinal instability requiring surgery, or other conditions identified in review.

What to expect

1. Evaluation

A call with a patient advisor, then a medical review of your records and spinal imaging.

2. Treatment plan

Protocol, schedule and the full investment, written for your case and discussed with you before you travel.

3. Treatment in San José

Travel and stay arranged for you. Treatment by our physicians in our Ministry of Health–licensed clinic.

4. Follow-up care

Scheduled check-ins with our team after you return home.

Investment

Each plan is built for one patient. In your consultation we walk through the full investment and exactly what it includes: cells, clinical care, and the arrangements around your stay.

The Cellebration approach

Fresh, never frozen. Ask how cells are prepared and evaluated for your proposed care.
Physician-led. Clinical decisions by our medical team, in a licensed clinic.
An informed discussion. Review the evidence, limitations and alternatives relevant to your condition.
Personalized support. A care team helps coordinate the treatment journey.

Spinal Osteoarthritis