What it is
Amniotic injections are products made from tissue or fluid connected to pregnancy, such as amniotic fluid or amniotic membrane that has been processed, and sometimes blended with umbilical cord material or Wharton's jelly. They are offered by some clinics for joint concerns like knee pain.
Many people assume these are stem-cell treatments. In most cases they are not. After processing, most of these products contain no living stem cells, and they should not be described as regrowing cartilage or other tissue.
The established, well-recognized use of amniotic membrane is as a wound covering and on the surface of the eye. Injectable amniotic, umbilical cord and Wharton's jelly products for knees and other joints are generally not FDA-approved for those uses, and the FDA has warned the public about unapproved regenerative products.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Knee and joint pain has traditionally been approached in several ways, depending on the cause and the person. Common options discussed with clinicians include activity changes, physical therapy and strengthening, weight management, bracing, and over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
Some people also discuss in-office injections or surgical options with an orthopedic or sports medicine doctor after an exam and imaging. Which of these is appropriate is a decision for a licensed clinician who has evaluated you.
Newer injectable products, including those made from amniotic tissue, are often grouped under the term regenerative medicine. The research on them for joints is still developing, and the science is not settled. Claims in advertising can run ahead of what is established, so it helps to ask for clear, balanced information.
How the right doctor may help
The right doctor may help you understand what is likely behind your joint pain before any product is discussed. A visit often includes a conversation about your history and goals, a physical exam, and sometimes imaging. Orthopedics and sports medicine, pain management, and physical medicine and rehabilitation are the specialties that often see people with knee and joint pain.
If amniotic injections come up, a provider may be able to explain whether they are even a reasonable thing to consider for you, or whether other options deserve a look first. No outcome is guaranteed, and a good clinician will say so plainly.
Questions worth asking: Is this product FDA-approved for my condition, and if not, what does that mean? What is the tissue source and how was it processed? What are the risks and the alternatives? What is the total cost, including follow-up visits, and will insurance cover any of it? It is also fine to get a second opinion before deciding.
The whole-person view
Body, mind and stress affect one another. Ongoing joint pain can disrupt sleep, mood and activity, and stress or worry can make pain feel more intense. Looking at the whole person, including movement, rest, and emotional well-being, can be a useful part of the picture.
Some people find body-based support, such as the approaches offered through Somatic Experiences, helpful for how they relate to pain and tension. Others value talking with a counselor, for example through Therapists.plus, about coping with long-term pain. These can sit alongside care from a medical provider and are never a replacement for it.
Somatic Experiences: embodiment and movement →Therapists.plus: mind body connection →
Keep in mind
- Injectable amniotic, umbilical cord, Wharton's jelly and exosome products for joint pain are generally not FDA-approved for that use, and the FDA has warned the public about unapproved regenerative products.
- Only a licensed clinician can decide what is appropriate for you after an evaluation, so please let licensed professionals guide your care.
- Ask about FDA status, tissue source, risks, alternatives and total cost, and check with your insurance before any treatment.
- For emergencies such as sudden severe pain, a hot swollen joint with fever, or an injury you cannot bear weight on, call 911. If you are in emotional crisis, call or text 988.
Doctors who often help
Get matched privatelyFrequently asked questions
Are amniotic injections for knee pain FDA-approved?
Generally no. Injectable amniotic, umbilical cord and Wharton's jelly products marketed for knee and joint pain are not FDA-approved for those uses, and the FDA has warned the public about unapproved regenerative products. Ask any provider about a product's exact regulatory status before treatment.
Do amniotic injections contain stem cells?
Usually not living ones. Most amniotic products have no living stem cells after processing, so calling them stem-cell treatments is not accurate. A provider should be able to explain exactly what is in a product.
Can amniotic injections regrow cartilage?
There is no established basis to say they regrow cartilage or other tissue, and you should be cautious of anyone who claims so. Research on these products for joints is still developing, and no result can be promised.
What is the established use of amniotic tissue in medicine?
Amniotic membrane is well established as a wound covering and for use on the surface of the eye. That is different from injecting amniotic products into joints, which is generally not an FDA-approved use.
What kind of doctor should I see about knee and joint pain?
Orthopedics and sports medicine, pain management, and physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors often evaluate knee and joint pain. They can examine you, discuss possible causes, and talk through options, which may or may not include injections. You can look for licensed providers through Providers.plus.
What should I ask before getting amniotic injections?
Ask about the product's FDA status, its tissue source, the risks, the alternatives, and the total cost, and check with your insurance first. It is also reasonable to ask what the provider expects and what the limits of the evidence are, and to get a second opinion.
Educational resource. Amniotic Doctors shares general information and connects people with independent doctors. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.