# What do people ask about these procedures? *What Do People Ask? | stem cells Chandler* > A stem cells Chandler FAQ with plain answers about soreness, walking, hip-bone draws, recovery, warning signs and repeat care. ## Sources 1. A retrospective comparison of 523 bone marrow aspiration procedures against 435 open iliac crest bone graft harvests found aspiration significantly reduced complications - relevant because marrow aspiration for a joint injection is a real procedure with a real, if low, complication rate. Hernigou P, et al. — [Morbidity of graft harvesting versus bone marrow aspiration in cell regenerative therapy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24658874/). *Int Orthop*, 2014. DOI: 10.1007/s00264-014-2318-x. 2. In 96 patients, concentrated bone marrow aspirate contained a mean of 26.3 million nucleated cells per mL but only about 1,422 colony-forming units of connective tissue progenitors, and the nucleated cell count had negligible predictive value for how many progenitor cells were actually present (r-squared 0.28). Muench LN, et al. — [Nucleated Cell Count Has Negligible Predictive Value for the Number of Colony-Forming Units for Connective Tissue Progenitor Cells (Stem Cells) in Bone Marrow Aspirate Harvested From the Proximal Humerus During Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33581306/). *Arthroscopy*, 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2021.01.064. 3. Mesenchymal stromal cells make up only about 0.001 to 0.01 percent of the nucleated cells in bone marrow, so the harvesting and processing technique - aspiration site, syringe size, centrifuge speed and time - materially determines what ends up in the syringe, and no consensus protocol exists. Jeyaraman M, et al. — [Impact of the Process Variables on the Yield of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35200410/). *Bioengineering (Basel)*, 2022. DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9020057. 4. In a 480-patient, four-arm, multicenter randomized phase 2/3 trial, none of three orthobiologic cell injections - autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate, autologous adipose stromal vascular fraction, or allogeneic umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells - was superior to any other, or to a corticosteroid injection control, on pain at 12 months. Mautner K, et al. — [Cell-based versus corticosteroid injections for knee pain in osteoarthritis: a randomized phase 3 trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37919438/). *Nat Med*, 2023. DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02632-w. 5. FDA states in its consumer alert that the only FDA-approved stem cell products in the United States are blood-forming stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood, approved for disorders of the blood-forming system, and that NONE of these products - stem cells, stromal vascular fraction, umbilical cord blood, Wharton's jelly or amniotic fluid - has been approved for the treatment of any orthopedic condition, including osteoarthritis, tendonitis, disc disease, tennis elbow, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, neck pain or shoulder pain. US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research — [Consumer Alert on Regenerative Medicine Products Including Stem Cells and Exosomes](https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/consumers-biologics/consumer-alert-regenerative-medicine-products-including-stem-cells-and-exosomes). *null*, 2020. 6. 21 CFR 1271.10(a) sets the four criteria a human cell or tissue product must meet to be regulated SOLELY under section 361 of the Public Health Service Act: it must be minimally manipulated; intended for homologous use only, as reflected by labeling and advertising; not combined with another article beyond water, crystalloids or a preserving agent; and either have no systemic effect and not depend on the metabolic activity of living cells, or else be for autologous use, use in a close blood relative, or reproductive use. US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 — [21 CFR 1271.10 - Are my HCT/P's regulated solely under section 361 of the PHS Act](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-L/part-1271/subpart-A/section-1271.10). *null*, 2004. 7. FDA's final guidance for industry, issued July 2020 by CBER and CDRH under docket FDA-2017-D-6146, sets out how the agency applies the minimal manipulation and homologous use criteria that determine whether a cell or tissue product is a 361 HCT/P or an unapproved 351 biological product requiring a license. US Food and Drug Administration, CBER and CDRH — [Regulatory Considerations for Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products: Minimal Manipulation and Homologous Use - Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff](https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/regulatory-considerations-human-cells-tissues-and-cellular-and-tissue-based-products-minimal). *null*, 2020. ## How sore could my hip feel after the bone draw? You may feel a brief sting, pressure or pulling during the draw. Numbing medicine helps, but it can't remove every feeling. Your joint and the back of your hip may both feel sore later. Ask how to care for both areas before you leave. ## Will I be awake during the procedure? Some people receive only numbing medicine, while others receive a sleepy-making medicine. Ask the clinic which one is planned for you. If you'll be sleepy, follow the food directions and arrange a ride. Don't assume you can drive yourself home. ## What is taken from my hip, and where does it go? A hollow needle draws marrow, the soft tissue inside your pelvic bone. Staff then spin the sample and save a thicker liquid containing blood and cells. Another needle delivers the liquid to the joint or nearby tissue named beforehand. Ask someone to point out the exact spot before starting. ## What activities must I avoid afterward? Your limits depend on the joint, the hip-bone draw and any medicine used. Get clear directions for driving, bathing, stairs, lifting, work and exercise. Don't test a numb joint because it feels good right away. Follow the written movement limit until the clinic changes it. ## Can I walk after the visit? You may walk to the car, but a longer walk is different. Balance, hip soreness and the treated joint all affect what is safe. Ask whether you need a cane, another aid or a driver. Then ask how to add distance without worsening the soreness. ## How long will recovery take? There isn't one recovery time for every person or procedure. The hip-bone draw may settle at a different rate than the joint. Ask what progress the clinic expects before work, driving or harder exercise. If your soreness doesn't settle, call instead of pushing through it. ## What if the soreness doesn't settle? QC Kinetix offers consultations about regenerative treatments, meaning procedures where blood is drawn, spun and placed near the sore joint through a needle. They don't involve surgery. A medical provider, one of the licensed clinic staff who handle your care, carries out these steps at the clinic. Ask that person to show you exactly where the liquid will go. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is made by spinning a little of your blood so platelets, tiny parts that help stop bleeding, gather in the pale liquid. Ask which sore area will receive it. Your first consultation has no charge. The clinic doesn't promise a result. Book a free consultation: --- Help for joints that ache. Straight answers about aching joints, simple relief, urgent changes, clinic visits and local care in Chandler. Straight talk about aching joints, relief at home, urgent changes and Chandler visits. This site is operated by the owners of the QC Kinetix Phoenix-area clinics, including the Chandler location, and they benefit when a reader books a consultation. © 2026 Chandler Cell Route. General health education only; a clinician who examines you should guide personal medical decisions.