How stem cell clinics in the Southwest stack up

Stem cell clinics are everywhere now, but little is known about these facilities. Researchers examined nearly 170 across six states in the southwestern U.S., where nearly a third of such clinics are. Here’s what they found: 

• Conditions treated: Most of the clinics offered treatments for orthopedic and inflammatory conditions. Spinal conditions were the most common within the field of orthopedics, while autoimmune diseases were the most common among inflammatory conditions. 
• Business models: A quarter of the clinics had more than one location. Three major stem cell clinic franchises — Cell Surgical Network, Regenexx/Regenerative Sciences, and R3 — have 40% of their locations in the Southwest. 
• Medical expertise: Nearly 60% of employees in clinics offering only stem cell treatments had M.D.s. Fewer than 15% had other degrees such as doctor of osteopathy.