Return to the Golf Course Pain-Free
Alternatives to hip replacement for arthritis sufferers
Regenerative treatments helping hip arthritis guests avoid surgery and get back to the activities they love.
Can regenerative therapy help hip pain without surgery?
Stem cell therapy is a non-surgical option some guests explore for hip osteoarthritis when they want to consider alternatives to a hip replacement. Regenerative protocols use injected cells or mesenchymal-stem-cell-derived exosomes intended to support the joint, and suitability is assessed individually. Outcomes vary by individual and are not guaranteed; treatment is delivered by licensed physicians at our Sterling-certified partner clinic.
Educational information only — not medical advice, and individual results vary. Treatment is delivered by licensed physicians at our Sterling-certified partner clinic. How care is governed
When Your Hips Betray Your Lifestyle
You used to walk 18 holes without thinking about your joints. Now you're calculating which holes have golf carts. Hip osteoarthritis doesn't just steal your mobility—it steals your identity.
You used to walk 18 holes without thinking about your joints. Now you're calculating which holes have golf carts. You planned hiking trips months in advance; now you research trails by elevation gain. You used to chase your grandchildren around the garden. Now you choose seating based on how difficult it will be to stand up again.
Hip arthritis doesn't just steal your mobility—it steals your identity as a golfer, hiker, and active person.
That hip pain doesn't have to end your active lifestyle.
Find Out If Your Hip Can Be SavedThe Fear They Sell You
What they tell you hip arthritis means:
- "You'll need a hip replacement eventually"
- "There's nothing we can do except manage pain"
- "You should just accept limited mobility"
- "Golf and hiking are no longer realistic activities"
But research shows this isn't the full picture...
Surgery vs. Regenerative
Total hip replacement requires 6-12 weeks of recovery and typically needs revision within 15-20 years. MSC therapy offers a minimally invasive alternative with clinical studies showing significant pain reduction.
Total Hip Replacement
- 6-12 weeks recovery
- Prosthetic lifespan: 15-20 years
- Revision surgery more complex
- Permanent activity restrictions
- Hospital stay required
MSC Therapy
- Days to weeks recovery
- Preserves natural joint
- Can be repeated if needed
- No permanent restrictions
- Outpatient procedure
After 20 years of hip pain, I finally feel like myself again. The team at Sterling Longevity treated me like family. I'm back to playing 18 holes every weekend.Read Linda's Full Story
*Name changed for privacy. Photo may feature a model. Individual results may vary.
The Science Behind Hip Regeneration
Peer-reviewed research demonstrates MSC therapy can provide significant, lasting relief for hip osteoarthritis—often helping guests avoid replacement surgery entirely.
Harris Hip Score Improvement
Mean improvement from baseline (higher = better)
Based on Dall'Oca et al., Acta Biomedica (2019), doi:10.23750/abm.v90i1-S.8084
Pain improvement at 12 months
Dall'Oca et al. (2019)
Acta Biomedica
Preliminary results from MSC injection in hip osteoarthritis: Harris Hip Score improved from 67.2 to 84.6, WOMAC improved from 36.3 to 19.8 at 12 months.
15 patients
Dall'Oca C, et al. Mesenchymal Stem Cells injection in hip osteoarthritis: preliminary results. Acta Biomedica. 2019;90(1-S):75-80.
DOI: 10.23750/abm.v90i1-S.8084 PMID: 30715002
Giorgino et al. (2024)
Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol
Systematic review concluding MSCs represent a promising therapeutic option for hip OA guests seeking alternatives to total hip arthroplasty, with consistent evidence of pain reduction and favorable safety.
0 patients
Giorgino R, et al. Management of hip osteoarthritis: harnessing the potential of mesenchymal stem cells — a systematic review. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2024;34(8):3847-3857.
DOI: 10.1007/s00590-024-04089-0 PMID: 39254726
MRI evidence at follow-up
Emadedin et al. (2015)
Archives of Iranian Medicine
Long-term follow-up of MSC therapy in guests with knee, ankle, or hip osteoarthritis showed sustained clinical benefit at 30 months with significant WOMAC improvement and no serious adverse events.
18 patients
Emadedin M, et al. Long-Term Follow-up of Intra-articular Injection of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients with Knee, Ankle, or Hip Osteoarthritis. Arch Iran Med. 2015;18(6):336-344.
DOI: PMID: 26058927
Recovery Timeline
From treatment day to tee time: your journey back to the golf course
Initial Relief
Inflammation reduction begins. Many guests report decreased morning stiffness and easier movement.
Functional Gains
Significant improvement in hip mobility. Walking becomes more comfortable, sitting to standing easier.
Return to Golf
Peak results achieved. Guests return to golf, hiking, and activities they'd given up.
Ready to Return to the Golf Course?
Hip pain doesn't have to end your active lifestyle. Take our free assessment to see if regenerative medicine could help you avoid surgery and reclaim your mobility.
Your $5,999 Discovery includes a $5,000 credit toward any program — making your net investment just $999.
Individual results may vary. This assessment helps determine potential candidacy for regenerative treatment.
Questions guests ask about hip pain
Can regenerative therapy help me avoid hip replacement surgery?
Some guests explore regenerative therapy as a way to delay or avoid a hip replacement, particularly with earlier-stage osteoarthritis. It is not a guaranteed alternative to surgery — a physician reviews your imaging and overall health to determine whether you are a suitable candidate.
What hip conditions are typically assessed for regenerative therapy?
The partner clinic most often assesses hip osteoarthritis and related degenerative hip pain. Whether a regenerative approach is appropriate depends on the severity shown on imaging and your individual health profile.
Is stem cell therapy for hip osteoarthritis approved by the FDA?
Stem cell therapies are not FDA-approved in the United States for hip osteoarthritis, and the FDA has not evaluated these treatments. Care is delivered abroad by licensed physicians at our Sterling-certified partner clinic in Bangkok, Thailand. The information here is educational, is not medical advice, and individual results vary.
Am I a candidate for regenerative therapy for hip osteoarthritis?
Candidacy depends on your diagnosis, imaging or test results, overall health, and goals — not everyone is a suitable candidate. The free Sterling assessment reviews your situation in a few minutes, and final eligibility is confirmed on-site after comprehensive bloodwork and a consultation with the physicians at our partner clinic.
How much does treatment cost?
The Discovery Experience is $5,999 and includes a $5,000 credit toward any extended program chosen on the same trip. Because the recommended approach is personalised after your on-site bloodwork and physician assessment, extended-program costs are shared in context rather than published in advance. Begin with the free Sterling assessment to understand the path that fits you.
Who provides the treatment?
Sterling Longevity is a wellness-travel concierge, not a medical provider. We vet partner clinics, coordinate your entire journey, and support you for 12 months — while the treatment itself is delivered by independently licensed physicians at our Sterling-certified partner clinic. You can read how care is governed.
How soon might I notice a change after treatment?
Timelines vary by individual and condition. Some guests describe gradual changes over several weeks to a few months, while others notice less. Regenerative outcomes are not guaranteed, and no specific result can be promised.
Can I travel home after treatment?
Treatments are delivered on an outpatient basis during your stay in Bangkok, and most guests fly home as planned once their program is complete. Your travel timing is confirmed with the physicians at our partner clinic, and Sterling coordinates airport transfers plus 12 months of follow-up support.