Stem cell therapy: How Abhay Deol found relief from chronic pain

After years of knee pain and sciatica, the actor turned to stem cell therapy, fuelling curiosity around regenerative treatments and what doctors say about safety and evidence

Chronic pain from knee injuries and slipped discs often leaves patients choosing between long-term medication and surgery. In a recent social media post, actor Abhay Deol shared that he found relief through stem cell therapy in South Korea, a treatment that is now drawing attention for its potential to heal damaged tissue naturally.

 

Why he chose stem cell therapy

 

For many years, Deol battled ongoing knee pain and radiating sciatica in his left leg due to a slipped disc. Despite trying various treatments, he remained reluctant to undergo invasive surgery. Instead, he turned to a regenerative medicine specialist for stem cell treatment. In an Instagram post, the actor described his experience as:

 

 

• Natural and surprisingly safe
• Relied on cells taken from his own body rather than synthetic materials
• Comfortable compared with surgical alternatives

 

He also returned for a second round of therapy, with his stem cells preserved for potential future use.

 

Doctors say patients often explore stem cell therapy because it is seen as:

 

• Minimally invasive with shorter recovery than surgery
• May help regenerate cartilage and reduce inflammation
• A possible option for those avoiding traditional surgery

 

What is stem cell therapy?

 

Stem cell therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that uses specialised cells capable of developing into different tissues.

 

• Stem cells can repair, replace or restore damaged tissues
• Cells are usually sourced from the patient’s own body (e.g. bone marrow)
• They are processed in a lab and then injected into affected areas to support healing

 

Stem cell therapy typically uses mesenchymal stem cells sourced from bone marrow or fat, aimed at reducing inflammation and supporting tissue repair. This approach aims to reduce inflammation and encourage the body’s own healing mechanisms, potentially easing pain and improving function without surgery. But outcomes vary widely.

 

Dr Rohit Chakor, orthopaedic surgeon at Inamdar Multispeciality Hospital, Pune, notes, “Small studies show improvements in pain and function for knee osteoarthritis, but evidence remains preliminary and inconsistent.”

 

He stresses that conventional options still matter. “Well-established treatments like physiotherapy, medications and, where needed, surgery continue to offer more predictable outcomes.”

 

What do doctors warn about?

 

While Deol’s experience highlights the potential of stem cell therapy, professionals urge caution:

 

• Stem cell therapy for pain is still experimental, not widely approved by regulators
• Evidence on its effectiveness remains limited, especially for advanced conditions
• Unregulated procedures could carry risks, including infection or tissue damage

Dr Gaurav Prakash Bhardwaj, Director & Senior Consultant, Sports Injury, Joint Preservation & Replacement Surgery at PSRI Hospital, Delhi, says evidence remains limited. “For knee osteoarthritis, stem cell injections may offer only modest pain relief and do not reverse arthritis or reliably regenerate cartilage,” he says. 

For slipped disc and sciatica, stem cells have no proven therapeutic role, and any improvement could simply reflect a placebo effect, Dr Bhardwaj notes.

 

He adds that most patients improve with conservative care such as physiotherapy and pain management, with surgery reserved for severe or worsening neurological symptoms.

 

Is it right for everyone?

 

Experts stress that stem cell therapy isn’t a universal cure-all. It may be most effective in milder cases where joint damage isn’t severe, and it should only be considered after thorough medical evaluation by qualified specialists. “Only carefully selected patients with early disease who fully understand the experimental nature of the therapy may consider it,” Dr Chakor says.

 

For those curious about alternative pain treatments yet cautious of invasive surgery, Deol’s journey offers both inspiration and a reminder: innovative medicine holds promise, but informed decisions remain vital.   

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This report is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.