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The journey to a regenerative approach to medicine

The journey to a regenerative approach to medicine began with Dr. Hostetter’s foundational training at the UCLA School of Medicine, where she earned her MD. She completed her residency in anesthesiology at Virginia Mason Medical Center, a program known for its clinical rigor and patient-centered focus. Afterward, she was awarded the Moore-Bridenbaugh Regional Anesthesia Research Fellowship, where she trained anesthesia residents and explored advanced, non-opioid methods of treating acute pain. Her research and clinical work during this time sparked a growing interest in long-term, tissue-focused healing strategies. This evolution in approach ultimately led to her specialization in stem cell injections in Bellevue, offering patients innovative, non-surgical alternatives to chronic pain and orthopedic injury treatment.

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Regenerative medicine and joint preservation

Dr. Hostetter moved to Seattle and has worked hard to become an expert in regenerative cell therapy and joint preservation. She believes in the ability of regenerative medicine to restore orthopedic function, improve mental and emotional well-being, and relieve pain, all without relying on opioid drugs.

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Our Approach to Stem Cell Therapy in Seattle

Seattle Regenerative Medicine Center utilizes advanced stem cell therapy procedures for treating various degenerative conditions. Our body’s cells know how to heal tissue and close wounds naturally. The best a physician can do is to move obstacles out of the way, supply materials to injured areas, and leave the fight against disease and injury to the cells themselves.

Our Seattle Regenerative Medicine Center stem cell therapy doctors produce a unique blend of bone marrow stem cells and plasma derivatives, which can be used to enhance your body’s natural healing mechanism. SRMC uses precise injections of your own stem cells to assist your body’s ability to heal tendons, ligaments, cartilage, damaged muscles, spinal disc, and bone. With these treatments, the patient can either avoid surgery or recover more quickly to return to their favorite hobbies and activities.

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Learn about our stem cell treatments

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Hear from our Seattle stem cell patients

Treatment areas

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Ankle

As a non-surgical regenerative therapy, stem cell treatments allow our patients to use their own bodies’ biologics to treat injuries including osteoarthritis, ligament and tendon tears, as well as many degenerative conditions related to the foot or ankle.

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Back

Stem Cell therapy utilizes your own body’s biologics for common injuries including stenosis, annular tears of the disc, degenerative disc disease, and other degenerative back problems.

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Elbow

We use stem cells from your own body to heal elbow conditions including osteoarthritis, ulnar collateral ligament tear, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and other repetitive sports-related elbow conditions.

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Shoulder

Shoulder injuries no longer require extensive physical therapy or invasive surgical procedures to treat. Stem cell therapy using AminoFix, or your body’s own biologics has been shown to help patients suffering from common shoulder-related injuries including rotator cuff and shoulder labrum tears, repetitive use injuries from sports activities, and osteoarthritis.

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Knee

Knee injuries and worn-out cartilage can often leave pain sufferers believing their only option is surgery. Stem cell therapy offers a non-surgical alternative. Our stem cell treatments use your body’s stem cells to repair and heal knee injuries including osteoarthritis, torn meniscus, torn ACL, and other debilitating conditions.

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Hip

Stem cell therapy has advanced the way we treat and repair injuries to the hip including osteoarthritis, labrum tears, and tendon tears. Stem cells extracted from your own body offer you a non-surgical treatment for these and other degenerative hip conditions.

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Wrist

By using stem cells, SRMC is able to help its patients who are suffering from wrist and hand-related conditions including carpal tunnel, basal joint arthritis, TFCC tear, and thumb CMC.

What is osteoarthritis?

Many people think of "arthritis" as a single condition, but it is actually an informal way of referring to joint pain or disease. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. The most common type is osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage that cushions joints break down over time.

Osteoarthritis affects over 25 million Americans and is characterized by the breakdown or degeneration of the cartilage in joint spaces. This degeneration leads to inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joint and can significantly affect your quality of life.

Dr. Hostetter has years of experience dealing with osteoarthritis. You are invited to download her EBook to learn more. Click below to download the EBook and be contacted to help answer any questions.

Stem cell benefits and advantages

Regenerative medicine therapies like stem cell and platelet-rich plasma are offered at Seattle Regenerative Medicine Center and have the following preventative advantages and benefits:

Pain Reduction

Stem cell therapy focuses on reducing pain and enhanced healing that addresses the cause of the pain versus just managing the symptoms. It provides growth factors to aid in the healing of tissues that are injured allowing patients to heal and have less pain than traditional medicine. 

Functionality Increase

Stem cell therapy promotes the production of collagen in the body that will strengthen tissues and tendons. Regenerative medicine increases functionality by increasing the range of motion in the joints to allow you to move more freely. 

Quick Recovery

Regenerative medicine helps jump-start the process of repairing the tissues and tendons, which leads to faster healing. The growth factors of stem cell therapy allow you to return back to your normal daily routines faster and safer.

Risk Reduction of injury and pain

When you have regenerative medicine like stem cell therapy, your collagen strengthens and tightens the tendons of the joints. The strengthening and tightening gained by utilizing regenerative medicine reduce the risk of future pain and injuries.

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What is the importance of having a board-certified MD direct stem cell therapy?

Dr. Lucy Hostetter is a board-certified, fellowship-trained anesthesiologist. She leads regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy in Bellevue at Seattle Regenerative Medicine Center.

While stem cell therapy is an effective treatment option, the specific provider that directs the therapy is important to keep in mind. As with all medicine, the results start with an accurate diagnosis and understanding of the disease and the entire spectrum of care.

Many clinics offer stem cell therapy, but not all doctors are trained equally or properly. If the provider is not trained in the diagnosis and management of bone and joint disorders, they will not be able to give you the best idea of whether stem cells may be effective. If they are not trained in ultrasound or fluoroscopically guided injections, they may not be able to inject in the right location. If you live in Seattle, you are in good hands at Seattle Regenerative Medicine Center and Dr. Lucy Hostetter.

Types of cellular therapy available in Seattle

When it comes to regenerative medicine in Seattle, there are two main types of cellular therapy offered. Understanding the different types and where they are available in Seattle can help with determining which is right for you. Being educated before starting any type of cellular therapy can help you avoid certain risks and complications.

Allogeneic cellular therapy

The first is Allogeneic cell therapy, a procedure in which a patient receives blood-forming stem cells from another person. Because the stem cells come from another person, there is a risk that your body will reject the therapy. Another risk is that the stem cells that are transplanted could attack the healthy cells of the patient. This can be a mild or severe reaction that can affect the skin, liver, intestines, muscles, joints, and eyes. This type of cellular therapy is not recommended for older patients or someone with overall poor health due to the risk of their body not being able to tolerate the treatment, and, in some cases, it can even be fatal.

Autologous cellular therapy

Another type of Cellular Therapy is autologous stem cell therapy. Stem cells are taken from a patient’s own body to trigger the natural healing cascade for damaged soft tissue. This type of cellular therapy has less risk because the stem cells come from the patient’s own body and, which therefore won’t reject the treatment. Autologous stem cell therapy is used to treat various degenerative conditions in your joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Stem cell therapy treatments enhance your own body’s natural healing mechanisms and can delay or prevent surgery. You can also expect pain reduction, an increase in functionality, fast recovery, and less risk of future injuries.

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The definition of stem cells from a Seattle expert

If you search the words stem cells, you will find a simple definition such as the following: “A stem cell is defined as a cell that can transform into other types of cells. These cells can divide and create more self-renewal cells, which are exactly like the original stem cell.” However, there is a lot more to stem cells than what you might find when looking at the definition online.

Dr. Lucy Hostetter from Seattle Regenerative Medicine Center states that “stem cells are the cells in the body that have the ability to develop into many different cell types, from muscle cells to brain cells. Additionally, in many tissues throughout the body, stem cells are an integral part of the internal repair system, dividing without limit to replenish injured or ailing cells and restore function.”

She further states that “each time a stem cell divides, it produces a new cell that is capable of either remaining a stem cell or becoming another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, etc. In some adult tissues, such as bone marrow, muscle, and brain, discrete populations of stem cells generate replacements for cells that are lost through normal wear and tear, injury, or disease.”

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Meet our Seattle stem cell therapy expert: Dr. Lucy Hostetter

Dr. Lucy Hostetter is a nationally recognized, board-certified, and fellowship-trained anesthesiologist with a distinguished background in orthopedic and spine surgery. With advanced expertise in regional anesthesia and ultrasound-guided techniques, she developed a reputation for precision, safety, and patient-focused care. Now a leader in regenerative medicine, Dr. Hostetter brings these expert needling skills to her practice, offering stem cell injections in Bellevue for patients seeking non-surgical relief from joint pain, injury, or inflammation. Her passion for innovation and minimally invasive healing has made her a trusted name for those exploring the benefits of cellular therapies in the greater Seattle and Eastside communities.

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Stem Cell Therapy FAQ

What conditions can stem cell injections treat?

How long does it take to see results from stem cell therapy?

Are stem cell injections in Bellevue safe?

Is there downtime after stem cell therapy?

How are stem cells obtained for treatment?

What conditions can stem cell injections treat?

Stem cell injections can help address a range of orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions, including joint pain, osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and soft tissue damage. They are commonly used for knees, shoulders, hips, and spine-related concerns to reduce inflammation and support natural tissue repair.

How long does it take to see results from stem cell therapy?

Many patients begin to notice improvement within a few weeks, with continued progress over several months as the stem cells stimulate the body’s healing response. Individual timelines may vary depending on the condition being treated and the patient’s overall health.

Are stem cell injections in Bellevue safe?

Yes, when performed by a trained and experienced provider like Dr. Hostetter, stem cell injections are considered safe. The procedure uses your own biologic material, which significantly reduces the risk of allergic reactions or rejection.

Is there downtime after stem cell therapy?

Downtime is minimal. Most patients return to normal daily activities within a day or two, though strenuous exercise and high-impact movement should be avoided for a short period as advised by your provider.

How are stem cells obtained for treatment?

At Seattle Regenerative Medicine Center, stem cells are typically harvested from your bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue through a minimally invasive process. These cells are then concentrated and precisely injected into the area needing repair.

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