By Dr. John L. Ferrell III, M.D.(*)
At ROSM, one of the most common questions our physicians hear is: “Why is your price higher than the clinic down the street?”
It’s a fair question and one we welcome. Patients often come to us after seeing a wide range of prices for regenerative medicine treatments like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), bone marrow concentrate (BMAC), or adipose-derived therapies. Some are surprised that one clinic charges only a few hundred dollars while another charges several thousand.
For more than 12 years, ROSM has been the leading regenerative medicine clinic in the DMV area, and we’ve spent that time educating patients on what truly impacts the quality and success of a regenerative treatment. Understanding what’s included in a procedure — not just the number on the invoice — can make the difference between a short-lived result and lasting healing.
Here are five key points to help patients make an informed decision before choosing where to receive care.
1. What influences price?
The cost of a regenerative-injection treatment depends on multiple variables. For example, the published range for a single Platelet‑Rich Plasma (PRP) injection runs from about $500 to $2,500 or more per session.
For more complex procedures like bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) or adipose-derived therapies, costs may be in the $3,000 to $8,000+ range depending on the joint, severity of tissue damage, and provider.
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What is included?
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How many injections or follow-ups are part of the plan?
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What platelet or cell concentration is being used?
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Is image guidance (ultrasound or fluoroscopy) part of the cost?
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Does the provider have advanced training in regenerative orthopedics?
These are not minor details and they can dramatically influence your outcome.
2. Why the lowest price can be risky
Opting for the cheapest option may be tempting, but here’s why it may cost you more in the long run:
- Lower platelet or stem cell concentration: Some lower-cost procedures use less concentrated biologic preparations, which can reduce the “healing power” of the treatment. As we’ve discussed in our post, Not All PRP Is Created Equal, the quality of a PRP preparation can vary widely between clinics.
- Lack of imaging guidance: Without ultrasound or fluoroscopy, injections can be placed in the wrong area. This reduces effectiveness and makes it impossible to accurately assess improvement on follow-up. At ROSM, we use imaging during both the treatment and the follow-up, ensuring precision at every step.
- Limited scope of treatment: Many low-cost clinics only inject the knee joint when treating arthritis. At ROSM, we take a comprehensive approach, treating not just the joint but also associated pain generators like the medial and lateral meniscus, MCL, LCL, and subchondral bone (if affected).
This thorough approach increases the likelihood of meaningful, lasting improvement and not just temporary relief.
3. How to compare value, not just cost
When evaluating a regenerative treatment offer, ask:
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What is the platelet concentration or cell count being injected?
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Are injections performed with advanced image guidance (ultrasound/fluoro)?
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How many treatments or follow-ups are built into the package?
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Does the provider have dedicated training and experience in regenerative orthopedics?
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What supportive therapies (physical therapy, nutrition) are included or recommended?
A higher price can reflect all these added layers, not simply markup, and this often correlates with better long-term results.
4. Why ROSM’s approach is priced the way it is
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Use advanced diagnostics like musculoskeletal ultrasound.
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Measure and control the quality of biologic preparations.
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Integrate regenerative therapies with physical therapy and nutrition.
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Track patient outcomes in a dedicated registry.
5. Price is part of the decision—so is provider quality
