Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis in Berlin

Treating osteoarthritis and joint pain with minimally invasive stem cell therapy using your own body’s cells. Dr Andreas Dahmen, orthopaedic surgeon and joint specialist in Berlin, guides you on the way back to greater mobility.

What symptoms can indicate osteoarthritis or cartilage damage?

Many patients wait too long before seeking help. Yet cartilage damage treated early can often be addressed more effectively, without surgery. Typical warning signs that may point to osteoarthritis or joint damage:

Pain in the joint, especially during exertion or after a period of rest
Stiffness in the morning or after sitting
Reduced mobility in everyday life or during sport
Symptoms after a sports injury that don't fully resolve
Clicking or grinding in the joint

Osteoarthritis can affect many joints, including the knee, hip, shoulder, fingers, or ankle. Stem cell therapy offers a modern, gentle way to address these symptoms directly, before surgery becomes necessary.

Which types of osteoarthritis can be treated with stem cell therapy?

Osteoarthritis isn’t a single condition. Depending on which joint is affected, the symptoms present differently. What all forms have in common: the cartilage thins, the joint becomes painful, and mobility decreases. Stem cell therapy can be used for various types of osteoarthritis and cartilage damage, without donor substances and in a minimally invasive, gentle way.

Knee osteoarthritis — treatment with stem cells

The knee joint is one of the most heavily loaded joints in everyday life, sport, and physical work. Cartilage damage in the knee often leads to persistent pain and reduced mobility. The goal of stem cell therapy: preserve mobility and reduce pain in the long term.

Hip osteoarthritis — joint-preserving therapy

Pain when walking, climbing stairs, or exercising, hip osteoarthritis noticeably reduces quality of life. With stem cell therapy, we pursue a joint-preserving approach: relieving symptoms without immediately resorting to surgery.

Finger osteoarthritis — individual treatment options

Stiff, painful fingers, finger osteoarthritis sounds harmless but can significantly affect daily life. We’ll discuss with you whether stem cell therapy makes sense for your individual situation.

How does stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis work?

Stem cell therapy harnesses your own body’s natural healing power. No donor substances, no artificial materials, only your own cells from your abdominal fat, used specifically to regenerate cartilage and the joint.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are the ‘all-rounders’ among the body’s cells. They can transform into different tissue types and help the body repair damaged tissue. They remain active well into old age, and that’s exactly what makes them so valuable for treating joint problems.

How does stem cell treatment work?

APPOINTMENT 1

1. Consultation
We discuss your symptoms, your medical history, and whether the therapy is right for you.

2. Examination
Thorough orthopaedic examination of the affected joint. If needed, using imaging methods on site such as ultrasound, X-ray, or MRI

APPOINTMENT 2

3. Stem cell extraction
Under local anaesthetic, we extract your own stem cells through a small liposuction procedure on the abdomen. For processing, we rely on Arthrex, one of the world’s leading specialists in orthopaedic medical technology.

4. Processing
The extracted cells are processed and concentrated using a patented method. We developed and refined this method together with Arthrex. The quality of stem cell therapy depends above all on this processing step. We carry it out to a standard achieved by only a few practices in Germany, built on years of experience and one of the highest case numbers in this field. That’s exactly what makes the difference for you as a patient.

5. Injection into the joint
The processed stem cells are injected directly into the affected joint, in some cases under ultrasound guidance. The whole treatment takes around 2 hours.

6. Aftercare
We support you after the treatment and discuss the next steps together. After 6 weeks, we recommend a platelet-rich plasma treatment using your own blood to nourish the stem cells and stabilise the result.

Possible goals of the therapy: pain relief · greater resilience · improved mobility · long-term improvement of joint symptoms

Why are stem cells taken from fat tissue?

Not all stem cells are equally concentrated. Studies show that fat tissue, particularly abdominal fat, contains up to 500 times more stem cells than bone marrow. That’s why we take the cells from there: precisely, efficiently, and with as little strain on you as possible. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, takes only a short time, and is minimally invasive.

Who can benefit from stem cell therapy?

Stem cell therapy can be a genuine alternative to artificial joint replacement for many patients. It can be particularly suitable for:

People with osteoarthritis or cartilage damage in various joints
Patients with persistent joint problems that haven't responded adequately to other therapies
Athletes with cartilage damage from sports injuries
Active people who want to preserve their mobility long-term
Patients who want to avoid or delay artificial joint replacement for as long as possible

Whether the therapy is right for you is something we clarify together in a personal consultation.

Osteoarthritis and joint problems in athletes

Anyone who exercises regularly places above-average strain on their joints. Knee osteoarthritis, cartilage damage after sports injuries, or chronic joint problems from years of strain, many athletes know this all too well.

Dr Dahmen regularly treats amateur and professional athletes and knows what active people need: a therapy that doesn’t just relieve symptoms but makes sport possible again. Stem cell therapy can help restore mobility and resilience, tailored individually to your sporting goals.

Dr Andreas Dahmen

Orthopaedic surgeon & specialist in osteoarthritis treatment in Berlin

After numerous sports injuries as a child and teenager, my career path was clear early on: becoming a sports doctor. After studying in Freiburg, Berlin, Vienna, and Basel, I worked at, among others, the Institute of Sports Medicine at the University of Freiburg and at the Charité in Berlin.

Since 2012, I have run my own practice in Berlin-Tempelhof, a practice with a long tradition and many loyal patients. My partner Dr Carl Döring and I work personally, without junior doctors. That means you are always treated by a specialist consultant.

Alongside my work in the practice, I regularly provide medical care at sporting events. Many amateur and professional athletes have valued our expertise for years.

With stem cell therapy, we now have an excellent option for treating joint problems in a targeted, lasting way.

I look forward to being able to help you too.
Warm regards, Dr Andreas Dahmen

Why patients trust Proarthros

We stand for personal medicine at the highest level. What sets us apart:

Specialisation in stem cell therapy and osteoarthritis treatment

Years of experience in orthopaedics and sports medicine

Personal care from specialist consultants, not junior doctors

Individual treatment planning for every patient

Modern, minimally invasive
treatment approaches

Sports medicine expertise for recreational and professional athletes

When it matters most, elite athletes from around the world trust Dr Andreas Dahmen.

For over 25 years, he has supported athletes at national and international level, as team doctor for the Berlin Thunderbirds, official doctor for the Maifeld Polo Cup, and course doctor at Ski World Championships. His patients come from American football, football, tennis, golf, polo, hockey, cycling, triathlon, and skiing. Double boxing world champion Nina Meinke, for example, trusts his medical expertise.

He is also highly regarded among colleagues and has an extensive network. It is the result of 25 years of experience, precision, and a genuine passion for the profession and for sport.

How do stem cells work for joint problems?

When cartilage is damaged, the joint can no longer function fully: it becomes painful, inflamed, and mobility decreases. Stem cells can positively influence this process. Injecting your own stem cells into the joint stimulates natural regenerative processes. The goal: reduce inflammation, improve the cartilage surface, and so regain freedom from pain, resilience, and mobility.

How effective is stem cell therapy?

Numerous studies from renowned research institutions report positive effects of stem cell therapy for joint problems. The therapy uses no donor substances, which keeps the risk profile low. Important to know: as with any medical treatment, there are individual differences. Some patients experience significant improvement, others moderate relief, no reputable practice can guarantee success. We’ll give you an honest, transparent assessment in your consultation of whether the therapy is right for you.

Orthopaedics & stem cell therapy in Berlin
Praxis Dahmen & Döring

Our practice in Berlin-Tempelhof combines the tradition of an established joint practice with modern treatment methods. Since 2012, Dr Andreas Dahmen and Dr Carl Döring have treated patients here from Berlin, across Germany, and internationally. Whether osteoarthritis, joint problems, or sports injuries: as orthopaedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists in Berlin, we offer comprehensive diagnostics and individual treatment planning, personal, specialist-led, with no long waits for appointments via Doctolib.

Praxis Dahmen & Döring
Alt-Tempelhof 43
12103 Berlin-Tempelhof

Opening hours:
Mon to Thu 8am – 5pm
Fri 8am – 12pm

Public transport:
U6 Alt-Tempelhof station
Bus 140, 146, 170, 184, 246, M46, to Alt-Tempelhof

Frequently asked questions about stem cell therapy

What is stem cell therapy?

In stem cell therapy, your own stem cells are taken from fat tissue, processed, and injected into the affected joint. The aim is to stimulate natural healing processes and improve cartilage and joint function, without donor substances and without surgery.

Which joints can be treated with this therapy?

Stem cell therapy can be used on various joints, including the knee, hip, shoulder, fingers, and ankle. Which joint can be treated is something we clarify individually in your consultation.

Is stem cell therapy suitable for athletes?

Yes, the therapy is particularly well suited to active people and athletes with cartilage damage or osteoarthritis who want to become resilient again as quickly as possible. Dr Dahmen has years of experience treating amateur and professional athletes.

How does the treatment work?

Treatment begins with a consultation and an examination. Stem cells are then taken from the abdominal fat under local anaesthetic, processed, and injected into the affected joint. We then arrange follow-up appointments.

Are your own stem cells used?

Yes, exclusively. We use only your own stem cells, no donor substances, no artificial materials. This makes the therapy especially well tolerated.

How long does the treatment take?

The entire treatment takes around 2 hours and takes place in a single day, extraction, processing, and injection all in one appointment. You can usually leave the practice under your own steam afterwards.

How are the stem cells processed?

After extraction, the stem cells are processed and concentrated using a patented method developed together with Arthrex. The precise separation and maximum concentration of the cells is the decisive step in the entire therapy. Years of experience and one of the highest case numbers in Germany make our practice one of the few that truly masters this step.

Is the treatment painful?

The stem cells are extracted under local anaesthetic and are generally well tolerated. We’ll explain exactly what to expect during your consultation.

Does health insurance cover the cost?

Stem cell therapy is a private (self-pay) treatment and isn’t covered by statutory health insurance. For privately insured patients, we’re happy to provide a cost estimate that you can submit to your insurer to enquire about coverage.

When does stem cell therapy make sense?

The therapy can make sense if you have osteoarthritis or cartilage damage, want to avoid surgery, and other therapies haven’t helped enough. Whether it suits your individual situation is something we discuss in a personal consultation.

Treat joint pain early, don't wait until symptoms become severe

The earlier cartilage damage and osteoarthritis are treated, the better the chances of preserving mobility and avoiding surgery. Don’t wait until the pain really limits you. Book your no-obligation consultation with Dr Andreas Dahmen in Berlin-Tempelhof now.