Stem Cell Therapy for Hips in Tijuana, Mexico

Medically Reviewed by Dr. José Jiménez
Founder & Medical Director, Renovo Health & Beauty
Board-Elected Member, American Academy of Regenerative Medicine | 32+ Years of Medical Experience
Last Reviewed: September 2026.

Stem cell therapy for hips is an image-guided injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the hip joint, considered for hip pain from osteoarthritis and selected soft-tissue problems. Hip-specific evidence is thinner than knee evidence: early studies report acceptable safety, while the strongest hip data come from surgical cell therapy for avascular necrosis. At Renovo, hip protocols use donor umbilical cord MSCs—not cells harvested from your own body.

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Key Facts: Hip Stem Cell Therapy at Renovo

  • Conditions evaluated: mild to moderate hip osteoarthritis, labral irritation, early avascular necrosis, and selected tendon problems.
  • Cells used: umbilical cord–derived MSCs from Wharton's jelly, from healthy, full-term donations.
  • Quality control: Cells are expanded and quality-tested in certified, licensed biotechnology laboratories, then independently re-counted and viability-tested at Renovo before administration. Renovo does not expand cells on-site.
  • Guidance: because the hip is a deep joint, placement is confirmed with ultrasound or fluoroscopy.
  • Cost: stem cell–only pricing generally ranges from $2,100 to $9,900 USD.
  • Location: Tijuana, roughly 8 to 15 minutes from the U.S. border.

Hip Conditions That May Be Evaluated

The hip is a deep ball-and-socket joint, and pain in the groin, the front of the thigh, or the side of the hip can come from several structures. Dr. Jiménez may evaluate stem cell therapy for:

Hip osteoarthritis: mild to moderate cartilage wear confirmed on imaging Labral irritation or tears: evaluated case by case with MRI
Early-stage avascular necrosis: loss of blood supply to the head of the femur (see avascular necrosis stem cell therapy) Chronic tendon pain around the hip: selected cases

Pain that starts in the buttock and travels down the leg often comes from the lower back rather than the hip joint. If that sounds familiar, read about sciatica and degenerative disc disease.

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Send us a message and our team will get back to you shortly.

What the Research Says About Stem Cells for Hip Pain

Most osteoarthritis treatment research has focused on the knee rather than the hip. A 2023 review of non-operative hip osteoarthritis treatments found that anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroid injections have the most support for hip osteoarthritis, while the evidence for platelet-rich plasma is still incomplete (HSS Journal, 2023).

Direct evidence for stem cell injections in the hip comes from small studies. A phase I study of 18 patients with knee, ankle, or hip osteoarthritis who each received a single injection of their own bone marrow–derived MSCs reported no severe adverse events over 30 months of follow-up, only minor localized reactions such as rash, and no tumors or abnormal laboratory changes (Emadedin et al., Archives of Iranian Medicine, 2015). This was primarily a safety study, and it did not include a control group.

The strongest hip-related data involve avascular necrosis treated surgically. Research dating back to the late 1980s has combined core decompression with an injection of the patient’s own bone marrow cells (Hernigou et al., Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery, 2016). In a study of 125 patients with steroid-related osteonecrosis in both hips, the hip treated with bone marrow cell therapy collapsed in 28% of cases versus 72% with core decompression alone, and required total hip replacement in 24% versus 76%, after an average follow-up of about 25 years (Hernigou et al., International Orthopaedics, 2018). Those results come from a surgical procedure using the patient’s own cells, so they cannot be assumed to apply to an injection alone.

What Is the Success Rate of Stem Cell Therapy for Hips?

There is no reliable, published success rate for stem cell injections in the hip. Hip-specific trials have been small, have used different cell types and doses, and often lacked placebo groups. Be cautious of any clinic that quotes a precise success percentage.

At Renovo, progress is tracked with practical measures—your pain level, walking tolerance, sleep, and ability to do the activities you care about—and Dr. Jiménez reviews what realistic improvement looks like for your imaging before you commit to treatment.

stem cell therapy for hips

Stem Cell Therapy vs. Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement remains the established treatment for advanced hip arthritis with severe pain and loss of function. Stem cell therapy is generally considered earlier in the course of osteoarthritis, or for patients who are not ready for, or not candidates for, surgery. It does not regrow a worn-out joint, and it has not been proven to delay hip replacement. If your imaging shows advanced disease, Renovo will tell you so and discuss surgical options.

What to Expect at Renovo

  1. Medical History & Imaging Questionnaire. Send your history plus recent hip X-rays or MRI.
  2. Candidacy review. Dr. Jiménez reviews your case. Renovo declines or postpones treatment when contraindications—such as an active, uncontrolled infection or medical instability—would compromise safety.
  3. Cell verification. Each batch of umbilical cord MSCs is independently re-counted and viability-tested on-site.
  4. Image-guided hip injection. Precise placement is confirmed with ultrasound or fluoroscopy.
  5. Aftercare. You receive written instructions on walking, activity, travel, and follow-up.

Recovery After a Hip Stem Cell Injection

Temporary soreness, a feeling of pressure in the joint, or stiffness for a few days is common. Most patients resume light activity within days, following their activity plan, and your aftercare instructions will specify when travel is appropriate. Improvement, when it occurs, is typically evaluated over weeks to months.

How Much Does Stem Cell Therapy for Hips Cost?

At Renovo, stem cell–only pricing generally ranges from $2,100 to $9,900 USD. Your quote depends on whether one or both hips are treated, the delivery method, and any supportive therapies. Read our guide to stem cell therapy cost in Tijuana. Renovo operates on a self-pay model and does not bill U.S. health insurance.

Related Treatments

Depending on your evaluation, Dr. Jiménez may discuss complementary options such as PRP, shockwave therapy, or physical rehabilitation through our sports medicine team. Patients with pain in more than one joint can also learn about stem cell therapy for knees and shoulders.

Visiting Renovo in Tijuana

Renovo is located in the Central Toreo building at Av. Santa María 2750, Suite 605, 6th floor, Fracc. Calete, Tijuana, Baja California 22044—roughly 8 to 15 minutes from the U.S. border, depending on traffic. Patients flying in can use San Diego International Airport or Tijuana International Airport, which connects to the U.S. side through the Cross Border Xpress (CBX). Bring a valid passport or passport card for re-entry into the United States. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Pacific Time).

stem cell therapy for hips

Who Oversees Your Care

Every protocol at Renovo is overseen by Dr. José A. Jiménez, Renovo’s Medical Director. Dr. Jiménez is a Medical Doctor and Surgeon who graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) (Professional License No. 1568215) and a Specialist in Critical Care Medicine and Intensive Care (Specialty License No. 3444273), with advanced training in stem cell therapy, sports medicine, and musculoskeletal ultrasound. Renovo operates under COFEPRIS Health License COFEPRIS-02-002-A.

Schedule a Hip Evaluation

Call (619) 407-7878, message us on WhatsApp, or request a free consultation to begin with the Medical History & Imaging Questionnaire.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stem Cell Therapy for Hips

There is no reliable, published success rate for hip stem cell injections, because hip trials have been small and varied. Be cautious of clinics quoting precise percentages. Dr. Jiménez reviews realistic expectations for your specific imaging before treatment.

No. Hip replacement remains the established treatment for advanced arthritis. Stem cell therapy is considered for earlier-stage osteoarthritis or for patients not ready for surgery, and it has not been proven to delay replacement.

No. Renovo’s hip protocols use mesenchymal stem cells from donated umbilical cord tissue (Wharton’s jelly) from healthy, full-term births, so there is no bone marrow or fat harvest. Cells are quality-tested in certified laboratories and re-verified at Renovo before use.

Most patients describe pressure and temporary soreness rather than sharp pain, and Dr. Jiménez explains how discomfort is managed during your procedure. Image guidance helps place the needle precisely, and soreness usually settles within a few days.

Most patients resume light activity within days, following their activity plan. Temporary soreness or stiffness is common, and improvement, when it occurs, is usually assessed over weeks to months.

Evidence for labral tears is limited. Labral injuries are evaluated case by case with MRI and a physical exam, and some are better treated with physical therapy or surgery.

At Renovo in Tijuana, stem cell–only pricing generally ranges from $2,100 to $9,900 USD, depending on whether one or both hips are treated, the delivery method, and any supportive therapies.