Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine
Intraosseous Treatment in MichiganTreating the bone beneath an arthritic joint
An advanced, image-guided option for knee and hip arthritis from board-certified physicians at our Rochester Hills and Grand Rapids offices.
★ 4.7 Google rating · Board-certified physicians · Rochester Hills & Grand Rapids
What are intraosseous injections?
Intraosseous treatment places regenerative treatment into the joint and directly into the bone beneath it, to help support the cartilage from the inside out. At the Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine, this outpatient procedure may be an option for more severe knee and hip osteoarthritis, giving some patients another non-surgical choice before joint replacement.
Most regenerative joint treatments place cells or platelets inside the joint. Intraosseous treatment goes one step further: your physician places treatment both into the joint and into the bone just beneath the cartilage. The bone under a worn joint surface is often involved in arthritis pain, so treating it may help support the joint from the inside out.
How Intraosseous Treatment Works

Cartilage rests on a layer of bone. In advanced arthritis, that bone can become damaged and painful too. Intraosseous treatment delivers regenerative treatment, such as a concentrate of your own bone marrow cells, to that bone as well as the joint space. Precise placement matters, so it is done with x-ray guidance by physicians trained in interventional procedures.
Possible Benefits
- Treats the bone under the cartilage as well as the joint, which may help more advanced knee and hip arthritis.
- Another non-surgical option for some patients who were told their only choice was joint replacement.
- Outpatient procedure: you go home the same day.
- Shorter recovery than joint replacement surgery, with a period of limited weight bearing afterward.
- Keeps future options open, since it does not use up the joint the way a replacement does.
Who May Be a Candidate?
We currently use intraosseous treatment for knee and hip pain, often for more severe osteoarthritis. It is a more involved procedure than a joint injection, and it is not right for everyone. Results vary, and some patients will still need joint replacement. Your physician will review your imaging and explain whether it fits.
Our physicians have extensive training in interventional pain management, which is critical for accurate placement. Learn more in intraosseous treatment compared to surgery and stem cell therapy and hip replacement.

Conditions
Conditions We Evaluate
Intraosseous treatment is currently used for knee and hip arthritis, often when arthritis is more advanced.
More advanced knee arthritis, including bone changes beneath the cartilage.
Hip arthritis when joint injections alone may not be enough.
Painful changes in the bone under a worn joint surface, seen on MRI.
Patient reviews
What Our Patients Say
In Their Words
We were amazed at how thorough the explanation of the recommended procedure was. I knew just what would happen and what I was agreeing to.
Steve G. Regenerative medicine patient
This doctor is very professional, using layman’s terms and taking his time with my parents to fully explain everything, and in answering all our questions!
Rosanna Windsor, Ontario · Family of a stem cell patient
Dr Nabity answered every question/concerns I had prior to the procedure in detail. If you leave a message for him he always calls you back himself.
Connie H. New Baltimore, MI · Stem cell patient
Excerpts from our patient testimonials.
Individual results vary. Reviews reflect each patient’s own experience.

Your visit
Your Path to Treatment
Most visits follow four simple steps. Our team guides you through each one and answers questions along the way.
1. Consultation
Meet your physician, talk through your symptoms, and review your history and goals.
2. Diagnosis & Imaging
Ultrasound or other imaging helps identify the source of your pain.
3. Treatment
If intraosseous treatment fits, your physician places it with x-ray guidance in an outpatient visit.
4. Follow-Up
Check-ins track your progress and adjust your plan as needed.
Insurance & cost
Insurance, Self-Pay, and Clear Pricing
We accept many major insurance plans for consultations, testing, and many spine and joint procedures. Regenerative treatments such as PRP and stem cell therapy are usually self-pay, so you get a clear estimate before you decide.
Usually billed to insurance
- Consultations and office visits
- EMG and nerve testing
- Epidural, facet, and SI joint injections
- Nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and nerve stimulators
Usually self-pay
- PRP and stem cell therapy (BMAC)
- Prolotherapy
- PRP hair restoration
- Stem cell banking
Self-pay options include prompt-pay discounts, payment plans, and HSA or FSA funds for eligible expenses.
Plans we accept











- PPO Trust
UMR coming soon. Blue Care Network plans require a referral. Coverage varies by plan and service, so call Rochester Hills (248) 216-1008 or Grand Rapids (616) 288-1109 and we will check your benefits.
Why patients choose MCRM
- Board-certified physicians Every procedure is performed by a board-certified physician, not a technician.
- Image-guided precision Ultrasound or fluoroscopic (x-ray) guidance places treatment exactly where it is needed.
- Your own cells, prepared on site Platelets and bone marrow cells are processed in our in-house lab during your visit.
- Results we track We have reported patient outcomes to the DataBiologics registry since 2019.
- Clear, upfront pricing Itemized estimates before treatment, prompt-pay discounts, and payment plans.
- Physicians who teach physicians Our doctors teach orthobiologic courses and helped write national back pain guidelines.
Our physicians
Meet Your Care Team
Thomas Nabity, MD
Board-certified physician
John Santa Ana, DO
Board-certified physician

Robert Farhat, DO
Board-certified physician

Kevin M. Nemeth, MD
Board-certified physician

John Steele, MD
Board-certified physician

Christopher Hannasch, DO
Board-certified physician
Credentials & memberships
Training You Can Look Up
Board certification shows a physician completed specialty training and passed independent exams. Our physicians go further, with added certifications and memberships in orthobiologics, musculoskeletal ultrasound and electrodiagnostic medicine. Each program is run by an independent organization, so you can see exactly what it requires.

PM&R Board Certification
Board certification in physical medicine and rehabilitation, the specialty focused on restoring function.

Pain Medicine Board Certification
Board certification in pain medicine, covering evaluation and treatment of complex pain conditions.
IOF Certification Courses
Advanced knee, hip and spine certification courses in image-guided orthobiologic procedures.

IOF Instructors & Training Hub
Our physicians teach other doctors as IOF instructors, and our Rochester Hills clinic hosts training.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Certified in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound, the imaging used to guide our treatments.

Electrodiagnostic Medicine
Board certification in electrodiagnostic medicine, the specialty behind EMG and nerve testing.

American Academy of PM&R
The national society for physiatrists, physicians focused on restoring movement.

Interventional Pain (ASIPP)
A society that sets education and practice standards for interventional pain medicine.

Orthopaedic Medicine (AAOM)
A physician group focused on non-surgical musculoskeletal care, including prolotherapy.

DataBiologics Registry
We report patient outcomes to a national orthobiologics registry to track results over time.
Patient stories
Hear From Our Patients
Patients describe their own experiences with care at the Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine. Individual results vary.
Patient Testimonial
Patient Testimonial
FAQ
Intraosseous Treatment Questions
Answers to common questions about intraosseous treatment. Your physician can address your specific situation during a consultation.
What is intraosseous treatment?
Regenerative treatment placed into the joint and into the bone just beneath the cartilage.
Which joints are treated?
We currently use intraosseous treatment for the knee and hip.
Who is a candidate?
Often patients with more severe knee or hip osteoarthritis. Your physician reviews your imaging to decide.
Is it an outpatient procedure?
Yes. You go home the same day.
How is it guided?
Your physician uses x-ray guidance for precise placement.
What is recovery like?
Recovery is shorter than joint replacement surgery, with a period of limited weight bearing. Your physician will give you a plan.
Can it replace joint replacement surgery?
For some patients it may delay or avoid surgery. Others will still need a joint replacement.
What is placed in the bone?
Usually a concentrate of your own bone marrow cells. Your physician will explain the plan for you.
Is it covered by insurance?
Regenerative procedures are usually self-pay. Our team will give you cost information first.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call (248) 216-1008 for Rochester Hills or (616) 288-1109 for Grand Rapids, or use the short form on this page.

Keep learning
Related Regenerative Medicine Articles
News & Events · PRP Therapy
Pre-eminent Journal Publishes Findings in PRP for Knee Osteoarthritis
What did the PM&R Journal find about PRP for knee arthritis? The PM&R Journal reported two main factors linked to better results …
Joint & Spine Pain
SI Joint Pain After Pregnancy: Why It Lingers and What Actually Helps
Why does SI joint pain linger after pregnancy? During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin loosens pelvic ligaments, which can make the SI joint …
Stem Cells & Orthobiologics
The Role Exosomes Play in Regenerative Medicine
What role do exosomes play in regenerative medicine? Exosomes are tiny cellular messengers packed with growth factors, RNA and proteins that help …
Next step
Find Out if Intraosseous Treatment Is Right for You
Answer a few short questions and our team will contact you to schedule a consultation.
Share your symptoms and goals in the short form.
Our team contacts you to schedule a consultation.
Meet a board-certified physician in Grand Rapids or Rochester Hills.
★ 4.7 Google ratingBoard-certified physiciansTwo Michigan clinics
Prefer to talk?Rochester Hills (248) 216-1008Grand Rapids (616) 288-1109
Free webinar replay
Watch: Intraosseous Treatment for Knee and Joint Pain
Watch the replay of our physicians’ webinar on intraosseous treatment for knee and joint pain.
Our physicians host free webinars with live Q&A. Watch any past webinar on demand, or call us to ask about the next date.
Our locations
Visit Our Michigan Clinics
Rochester Hills Clinic
355 Barclay Cir, Suite A
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Grand Rapids Clinic
1000 E. Paris Ave SE, Suite 221
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Areas we serve
Related Knee and Hip Care
Patients visit our Rochester Hills and Grand Rapids clinics from across Michigan.
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