What Elite Athletes Have Been Quietly Exploring

For years, professional athletes have been traveling the world in search of regenerative joint therapies that go beyond what conventional medicine offers. The science behind those choices is now more accessible — and the conversation is worth having.

For decades, the most celebrated athletes in professional sport have done something quietly, consistently, and with considerable investment: they sought out regenerative therapies for their joints that the mainstream orthopedic system wasn't yet offering. They traveled to clinics in Germany, Spain, South Korea, and Switzerland. They made decisions about their bodies based not on what was widely available but on what the science suggested might be possible. The names are well-documented — Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning, Stephen Curry, Ray Lewis, Bartolo Colon — each exploring platelet-rich and stem cell-derived approaches at a time when most physicians weren't yet having those conversations with patients. That era of exclusivity is changing. At Évry Aesthetics in Elmhurst, IL, we're part of that change.

Why Professionals Turned to Regenerative Medicine

The appeal was never mysterious. Conventional joint management — anti-inflammatories, cortisone, rest, surgery — was designed for the general population, not for people whose livelihoods depended on returning to peak physical function as quickly as possible. Cortisone offered short-term relief but carried documented risks with repeated use. Surgery worked sometimes, but came with months of downtime and outcomes that were never guaranteed.

What athletes were looking for was different: therapies that worked with the body's own repair mechanisms rather than suppressing or bypassing them. Autologous treatments — derived from the patient's own biology — were particularly attractive because they carried no risk of immune rejection and required no foreign materials. The question was always the same: can we give the body's natural healing systems a more concentrated, more targeted version of what they're already trying to do?

Athletes who have publicly explored regenerative joint therapies:

Tiger Woods received joint regeneration therapy with platelet-rich injections and has been public about exploring regenerative approaches throughout his career. Peyton Manning traveled to Germany for stem cell-derived therapy for a neck injury, working with specialists in autologous fat cell-derived treatment. Stephen Curry consulted with specialists regarding PRP-based approaches for MCL recovery. Ray Lewis traveled to Europe to explore stem cell-derived therapy for a triceps injury, drawing significant public attention to emerging regenerative approaches in sport. Bartolo Colon sought regenerative treatment for rotator cuff and elbow injury, highlighting growing interest among professional athletes in biological tissue repair approaches. PatientNow

These stories share a common thread: athletes with access to the world's best conventional medical care choosing to go elsewhere in search of something that addressed the underlying biology of their injuries rather than the symptoms.

The Science — Carefully Considered

Regenerative joint therapy is a broad category encompassing several distinct approaches, each at different stages of scientific development and regulatory clarity. At Évry, we offer autologous PRGF (Plasma Rich in Growth Factors) using the Endoret® protocol. We believe it is important to discuss both the potential and the current state of the evidence honestly.

PRGF — Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (Endoret®)
PRGF is derived from a small sample of the patient's own blood, processed to concentrate growth factors naturally present in platelets. Because it is autologous and minimally manipulated, it falls under a well-established regulatory framework. The growth factors concentrated in PRGF play documented roles in tissue repair and inflammation modulation. PRGF is what we offer at Évry for joint applications, and it is the therapy with the clearest clinical rationale and most established safety profile in this category.

Stem cell-derived therapies — an evolving field
There is significant scientific and clinical interest in stem cell-derived therapies for joint conditions, particularly mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) approaches. Stem cell therapy has shown promise in treating various joint injuries affecting the knees, shoulders, hips, and elbows, with research exploring how regenerative capabilities may support tissue repair and improve joint function. As of 2026, a $140 million Phase III clinical trial was announced investigating stem cell approaches for joint conditions — a signal of where the scientific community believes this field is heading. However, it is equally important to be honest: no stem cell products are currently FDA-approved for orthopedic applications, and the clinical evidence base for these approaches is still developing. 224 clinical trials globally are currently investigating stem cell therapies for osteoarthritis alone. 

Autologous PRGF Joint Therapy at Évry — What to Expect

Our joint restoration protocol centers on Endoret® PRGF — autologous growth factor technology developed by Dr. Eduardo Anitua, one of the world's leading researchers in regenerative joint therapy. Because it is derived entirely from your own blood using a standardized, leukocyte-free protocol, it carries an established safety profile and falls within a clear regulatory framework.

→ Consultation and clinical assessment — a thorough discussion of your joint history, symptoms, imaging if available, and functional goals. Not every patient is a candidate, and we are direct about that from the outset.

→ Blood draw and PRGF preparation — a small sample of your blood is drawn and processed using the Endoret® protocol to concentrate your own growth factors. Preparation takes approximately 20 minutes chairside.

→ Precision delivery — PRGF is delivered into the targeted joint or tissue using precise placement technique under sterile conditions.

→ Post-treatment and follow-up — mild soreness at the injection site for 24–72 hours is typical. Most patients return to light activity within a day or two. We follow up to assess your response and discuss whether additional sessions are appropriate.

The athletes who traveled the world to explore regenerative joint therapy weren't chasing miracles. They were making informed, proactive decisions about their biology — decisions that the rest of us are now in a position to make closer to home, with more information and better clinical infrastructure than ever before. If you're in Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Wheaton, Lombard, or the greater Chicago area, a complimentary consultation at Évry is where that conversation starts.

Book at myevryaesthetics.com/appointments
Évry Aesthetics · 597 N York St, Elmhurst, IL · (630) 333-4285

This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. No stem cell products are currently FDA-approved for orthopedic applications. Évry Aesthetics offers autologous PRGF therapy, which is derived from the patient's own blood and follows an established regulatory framework. Individual results vary. This content does not imply that any treatment offered at Évry will treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider to determine whether any therapy is appropriate for your specific condition.