Are My Stem Cells Too Old to Heal?

Separating Fact from Fiction in Regenerative Orthopedics

If you’ve been researching regenerative medicine, you’ve probably come across the idea that “young stem cells” are better than your own. Some clinics even advertise that older or aging stem cells aren’t strong enough to heal — and instead push the promise of “younger donor cells.”

It’s easy to see why this message is appealing — but is it true? Let’s break down the facts. 

Do Stem Cells Age?

Yes. Just like the rest of our bodies, stem cells naturally change over time. But here’s the key: your own living stem cells, even later in life, still have powerful healing potential.

At the Albano Clinic, we see patients in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond improve with regenerative treatments that use their own bone marrow, fat, and platelet-rich plasma. The science is clear: while cells may change with age, they remain capable of signaling repair and reducing pain when used properly.

What the Research Really Says About Aging Stem Cells

Many patients worry their old stem cells may not work as well as when they were younger. But research shows your aging stem cells are still capable of supporting repair.

A landmark study by Dr. Philippe Hernigou followed patients for over 20 years who received bone marrow–derived stem cell therapy for hip osteonecrosis. The findings? Even in older patients, their own live cells were still capable of producing long-term healing.

In fact, patients treated with their own bone marrow stem cells had better survival of the hip joint and lower rates of joint replacement compared to those who did not receive cell-based therapy (Hernigou, 2024).

👉 The takeaway: Even though the total number of stem cells decreases with age, the ones you still have remain alive, active, and able to support healing.

Stem Cell Effectiveness With Age (Based on Hernigou’s Data)

 

Age Group	Avg. Stem Cells Collected (per mL)	Clinical Success (20 yrs)
< 30 yrs	~1000	High success
30–50 yrs	~600	High success
> 50 yrs	~300	Still effective

(Simplified representation of Hernigou’s findings — shows relative decrease in numbers, but continued clinical benefit.) 

The Problem with “Young Donor Cells”

The idea of getting “young stem cells” from a donor sounds attractive, but it doesn’t match reality.

By the time donor tissue is processed, packaged, shipped, and thawed — there are very few, if any, live stem cells left. The ones that might survive are so few that they don’t make any meaningful clinical difference.

What’s being marketed as “young stem cells” were formerly young stem cells — but after processing, they’re essentially dead tissue or growth factor products. The FDA has warned against misleading claims in this area, and Dr. Albano often calls it what it is: snake oil.

Why Your Own Cells Are Best

Your own stem cells:
✅ Are alive and active when they’re used.
✅ Are a perfect genetic match — no risk of rejection.
✅ Still signal healing and repair, even decades into life. 

Think of it like planting seeds. Even in later seasons, the seeds you plant are still alive and capable of growing — as long as they’re yours, fresh, and living.  

Bottom Line: Trust Your Body’s Potential

Don’t let anyone convince you that your stem cells are “too old” to help you heal. The truth is, your own living cells remain your best option for natural repair and pain relief — not something frozen in a vial with a flashy label. 

At the Albano Clinic, we help patients move better, feel better, and live better by using the healing power already inside them — without surgery. 

Ready to Learn if Stem Cell Therapy is Right for You?

Your own cells may hold the key to lasting pain relief. If you’d like to find out whether regenerative medicine could help your condition, take the first step today.

👉 Submit your interest form here and our Patient Care Coordinator will reach out to guide you.

 

Sources Referenced

Hernigou, P., Homma, Y., Hernigou, J., Flouzat Lachaniette, C. H., Rouard, H., & Verrier, S. (2024). Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Bone Repair of Human Hip Osteonecrosis with Bilateral Match-Control Evaluation: Impact of Tissue Source, Cell Count, Disease Stage, and Volume Size on 908 Hips. Cells, 13(9), 776. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13090776