Darrow Stem Cell Institute

I walked in with a cane and in pain and walked outalmost skipping… As someone who has had surgery on knee, hip, and foot I could not imagine being able to function and be out of pain that fast. One PRP session kept me from miserable knee surgery!

Sometimes you just have to believe that there are miracles. The path given to me by the orthopedic was to have surgery on my knee because of a meniscal tear. But I took the path less traveled by and that has made all the difference.
Dr Darrow has been treating my knee with stem cell and PRP treatments since November 2015. My swelling is gone, my pain is gone, and I am returning to full function. It truly is a miracle.
So I say to those who want to try out a miracle worker, go see Dr Darrow and see if you can achieve the same results. I can tell you this much it sure beats surgery.
I am so glad that there are physicians out there that care enough about people and are innovative enough to try something outside a conventional tunnel vision medical approach.
I am a believer

In April of 2015, I accidentally met Dr. Marc Darrow of the Darrow Stem Cell Institute at a golf course in West Los Angeles. I’m not one to believe in fate or destiny, but the lucky stars were in my pocket on that day and every day since. I’m a former professional athlete (PGA Tour Player). My age is sixty-​four. I’ve never taken my health for granted. And I’ve always exercised diligently throughout my lifetime. Eighteen years ago, I had surgery on both of my knees to repair meniscus tears. The surgery was a resounding success. But for the last two and half years, my knees have slowly deteriorated (perhaps it’s the ageing process). They always feel swollen. I’ve lost range of motion, and they ache, even when I sleep. Worst yet, I couldn’t exercise my legs even minimally anymore. My legs went from being the strongest part of my body, to the weakest anatomical link. You can imagine how destructive it was for me to play tournament golf. I couldn’t. I had to stop playing. I had an MRI image study performed about a year ago and the radiology report was not favourable. I contacted a Doctor of Orthopaedic’s in Buffalo, N.Y. (professional hockey team doctor) who performed surgery on me in the past. I tried to organise a surgical date, but his schedule was full for the next two weeks and he was leaving on a one week vacation thereafter. So I had to wait until his return. It was during this time, I met Dr. Darrow. He suggested that stem cell regenerative medicine may be an option to look into. On a professional level, I have personally funded and researched a scientific project on the biomechanics of the golf swing for over thirty years. So in my social educations on medical science, I’m quite familiar with stem cell therapy and its possible benefits. So when I met Dr. Darrow, he didn’t have to do much to convince me regenerative sports medicine might be viable option to pursue. On the flip side, Dr. Darrow informed me the injections may not work. He carefully explained this fact to me. But, despite this realization, I decided to have the stem cell injections performed. Ten months have passed since I had the first of three separate injections that were spaced out over a two month period between each successive injection. The results have been remarkable and extraordinary for me. Within a few days of the first injection, the swelling in my knees began to subside. I noticed I could walk up & down stairs with better mobility. Also, it was the first time in years, I slept painless throughout the night without having to wake up to the throbbing in my knees. The chronic pain was gone and I could feel I had greater range of motion. Yes, I could begin to play squat again without having difficulty in getting up. The transformation was real and so unexpected in such a short time. Dr. Darrow asked me to follow a strict regimen of allowing plenty of time for the knees to rest before doing any exercise. I waited for thirty days before I put any kind of physical restraints on the connective tissue or muscles except for walking. When I started up on the exercise routine, I began by riding a stationary bicycle for ten minutes each day for a week. Then, I jogged slowly for ten minutes. I had no complications whatsoever either on the bicycle or after the run. I followed the same exercise protocols after each injection. This may be a reason why I’ve had such good short or long term results.
In closing, I can only speak for myself, regenerative sports medicine (stem cell injections) worked for me. I would recommend it for anyone to look into it before you had any surgery performed. I’m not saying, surgery is bad. But you may have a better result without having to be cut into and to compromise the surrounding anatomy in ways you can’t see, but you can feel. I’ve had twelve surgeries on my body over the last twenty years. I question now, how much better off I may have been, if I had known the true benefits of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Now, ten months later, after three injections, I can walk eighteen holes again, run again, and feel good again. I feel my chronological age has been pushed back a minimum of twenty years. How do I say thank you to Dr. Darrow and his conscientious staff for helping and assisting me with their knowledge, compassion and empathy in every little baby step I took along the way. I’m ready to start playing in tournaments again. All because of the conscientious pre-​eminent research performed by scientists all over the world who truly understand regenerative medicine and that it is the wave of the future that is already here today in our modern society of the 21^st century.
Best Regards,
Phillip Mac O

After years of working in the demanding network news business I developed severe knee pain and stiffness. I first saw Dr Darrow 3 weeks ago for my first treatment. After a 50% improvement in my pain and mobility I received my second stem cell treatment in both knees, yesterday. I am very confident I will be 100% better in several weeks. I love this Doctor. He explains and answers all questions. His staff is also great. I will post again in a few weeks with an update. I urge you to try Dr Darrow and his regenerative treatment before you ever consider surgery. I have already recommended Dr Darrow to my son and a couple of friends. What more can I say? Do it! ~Steve

Not the best clinician. After bringing images, he did not look at them and insisted on his diagnosis. I did the PRP anyway because I was desperate. His injections helped a little temporarily. He also urged me to exercise the very areas which were affected by my condition. After finding appropriate specialists, they urged me to take it very easy after seeing my imaging and discussing my symptoms. I tried to do the very exercises he suggested and I only got more burning and then weakness. I feel Darrow has a blindly positive attitude and treats the mind, so I have seen the fruits of some of my mental focus now, but he is a clinician of the physical body also, and at that he failed for me.

I took my son Alex Romo to see Dr. Marc Darrow back in February 2015 at one of the lowest points in his entire life and the work he’s done for him has turned everything around. He had just finished his college golf career at Cal Poly SLO and was getting ready to turn professional in September of 2014. A week before his first tournament, he woke up with a weird pain near his left collarbone which has sidelined him from golf for the past 14 months. We would eventually learn that the joint connecting his left collarbone and sternum (sternoclavicular joint) was unstable and the tendons and ligaments surrounding it were loose, making it impossible for him to swing a golf club without pain. We spent 6 months consulting with different doctors and tried every treatment we could find. Cortisone shots, physical therapy, deep tissue massage, chiropractic… nothing seemed to help. It was as though he had a career ending injury on his hands and he was beyond devastated to see his life-​long dream of playing golf on the PGA tour go out the window.
Then Dr. Darrow came into the picture. He consulted with us for hours on our first visit and then we decided to begin a series of both stem cell and PRP treatments. We had been considering surgery and prolotherapy and had consulted with a number of orthopedic specialists previously, but finally felt the connection we were looking for with Dr. Darrow that made us comfortable enough to begin the treatment. He listened exceptionally well and really took his time to understand exactly what Alex was going through. We really appreciated this personal touch because his injury was very uncommon and difficult to explain and in most doctors’ offices we had felt rushed and misunderstood when trying to tell Alex’s story. As busy as we know Dr. Darrow is, he never once conveyed a sense of hurry to us and was beyond gracious with his time during every single treatment session. It was a very big decision for our family to try this experimental treatment that was both very costly and not guaranteed to heal Alex, but Dr. Darrow played a huge role in helping us decide on the best method of treatment and never pushed us into anything. He simply guided us through the process and offered advice when we asked for it. There was also the issue of some major arteries being located very close to the joint he was receiving injections in, but Dr. Darrow’s touch with a needle was incredibly precise and steady and we always felt like Alex was in good hands. He got the treatments over as quickly and painlessly as possible every time.
We know from experience now that Dr. Darrow is an exceptionally talented doctor, but an even better person. He treats his patients like family and truly cares about the work he does and understands the power it has to heal. He makes you feel like your dream is his dream when he’s treating you and I don’t think that is something that can be faked. Only someone who genuinely cares about helping his patients heal and pours his heart and soul into what he does could make you feel as cared for as he does. We both became great friends with him throughout the series of visits for treatment. Even though Alex’s situation was very serious and the outcome of the treatments would dictate his future, Dr Darrow kept it light and always chatted about golf and the newest swing tips he had read about or heard. The entire experience from start to finish with Dr. Darrow and his staff was an absolute pleasure. Alex remembers going through his first round of stem cell injections and being a bit scared to have bone marrow drilled from his back, but an assistant rubbed his shoulders throughout the whole process to help comfort him which was a huge help. He has never received a higher level of care at a doctor’s office in his life.
Most importantly, we believe the treatments really did work because Alex has just recently returned to playing golf! After he finished his series of treatments in July, he began slowly easing back into working out and hitting golf balls and he played his first full round of golf in 14 months the day before Thanksgiving with me. We have professional tournaments lined up beginning in January of 2016 and plan to return to golf at the highest level in spite of this setback and guess what; I will get my caddie job back! Dr. Darrow is trying to help set Alex up with coaches that can teach him to swing the golf club in a more stress free way. Alex and I look forward to playing a round of golf with Dr. Darrow soon. In actuality, we will never be able to repay him for the help he’s given us. He gave Alex his life back, a second chance at pursuing his dream, and for that we will be forever indebted to him. Recent article about Alex and how Stem Cell and PRP therapy helped him get back on the golf course:

This is a follow-​up on my initial comments made on 12÷11÷15. After one stem cell treatment I was completely relieved of agonizing pain in my right leg. The pain was so terrible I had to crawl from my bed to the bathroom and was living on several pain killers. Two months after my only treatment I went to New York City for a week. I kept track of the blocks I walked, 215, in five days! So, because of Dr. Marc, I went from crawling to get around to walking 215 blocks! And not a minute of pain. Amazing! Just amazing. Thank you again Dr. Darrow!

This review is long overdue. I started stem cell treatment on my right knee with Dr Darrow about 2 ½ months ago, and I can say without a doubt that he is the best doctor/​healthcare professional I have ever met for my right knee with chronic osteoarthritis, and I’v been to many here is Los Angles over the last 12 years. I’m so glad I found stem cell treatment and him!
Dr. Darrow is one of a kind when it comes to the attention and care he provides. He is an excellent listener, remembers details from conversations, and takes the time to ask the right questions to get to a proper diagnosis and plan for my case. I’ve never felt rushed during my appointments, even though I usually come with a list of questions and concerns. The nurses and staff in his office are very nice and helpful as well.
After 3 stem cell treatments with my own stem cells extracted from my hip bone, my knee has shown vast improvement with the pain level going down, range of motion and just overall feeling that the knee is feeling so much better than it has in the last 12 years.
I will say do your own research and get as much info as you can on stem cell treatment. If you’re looking for a new solution, doctor and plan, Dr. Darrow is worth going to see and having a consultation with. I feel he was very fair and gave me honest answers, opinions and solutions for my case.
I am going to continue this treatment into the new year 2016 and will follow up on this review and let Unilocal know how its going.

I had recently injured my left knee while squatting with heavy weights, resulting in a torn meniscus. Dr. Darrow did PRP injection to my left knee. I’m terrified of needles but I do have a good tolerance to pain, but I must say that to me the injection was very painless and the process was quick. The staff is amazing and very knowledgable. Thanks to Dr. Darrow and his great knowledge I’m now back to weightlifting and my knee feels great! I definitely recommend this specially if you’re trying to avoid surgery.

I had been having progressively worst knee pains on both knees for the past 6 years, having been a skier, love skiing bumps and also jumps in the park, was on skis almost every month of the year either skiing or training on bumps or jumps for 10+ years while in my 40s, in addition to racquetball, basketball, spin, cycling & weights. All the abuse finally caught up to me. I am now in my 50s. Tried to keep them going by working out in spin classes & with heavier weights 2 – 3 times a week, but the pain had just gotten worst. Finally July of last year, my left knee gave out, I was walking like a handicapped person for a few days, which really scared me. Did MRIs on both knees (2^nd for left & 1^st on right), confirmed I was very close to bone on bone on both & was a knee replacement candidate on left, right not too far behind, with all sorts of issues, degenerative, bone contusions, etc. Started research into better ways of cure than knee replacement surgeries which I was trying to avoid at all cost.
After visiting the first prolotherapy doctor in Santa Monica once and not impressed by his office nor his much higher stem cell price, I found Dr. Darrow. From the first visit, I just felt I have come to the right place. Dr. Darrow puts you at ease right away, his staff is very professional and friendly and all have been there a while. He examined my knees, saw the MRIs, knew exactly the course of the treatment. The wonderful staff explained to me fully the costs, etc. which is all on his website anyway. No hidden cost. no surprises. No, the insurance doesn’t cover the treatment, but I did not want any surgery. Looking back, this was by far the best option for me, with the BEST DOCTOR! Having researched (thank you google), read a lot into all the articles I can get my hands on, and believing in the science behind it, I decided to follow his instructions 100%. First two months, with several stem cell & PRP injections, I did not try to push my legs at all. In fact, I just rested them most of the time, which is exactly what was recommended. Being an active person, that really bothered me at first. I also stopped taking Ibuprofen, which I used to take religiously. I have not taken them since, don’t need them anymore! Also learned it prohibits healing. I traveled to Asia on an 11 day tour with lots of hikes 5 months into the treatment, a bit much now thinking back. I actually got back to skiing 6 months later, although only on groomed & 1 moderate run in the moguls each day, and resumed cycling & spin. 7 months into the treatments. Now, 17 months, multiple stem cells and PRP sessions later (just had a PRP yesterday – 3 months after the last stem cell session, and I have been pushing the knees hard the last three months), I am working out 2 – 3 times a week in the gym, spin and weights. Just completed my first century (100 mile) ride from Orange County to San Diego two weeks ago. Also climbed on my road bikes up GMR, Chrystal Lake, Mt. Wilson, and Mt. Baldy many times (25 – 38 miles of climbing rides), and I rode three out of six days this week, 38 miles climbing, 82 miles flat, and 55 miles flat. Skied Mammoth three weeks ago on their opening weekend, my normal pace on groomed, fast GS, short radius turns, etc. The best thing is, now, I do all this without pain! All the old pains, walking down stairs, sleeping (had to have a pillow under my knees), etc., or just walking in general, they are history! Gone! As I said, I do full workouts (but no more basketball) in the gym to support my active lifestyle just like before, which is very important if you are active to make sure your muscles are strong to support the repaired and regenerated knees.
Dr. Darrow has my highest recommendation! I talked about my stem cell procedures and Dr. Darrow to all my friends and riding buddies. Although I have found that many people, even physicians (including several doc friends) do not have much knowledge of this procedure, including my roommate at the Asia trip, who is a kidney specialist, thus they termed it «experimental», «unproven», etc. All I can say is for me, and two of my dear friends who are 79 and 70 years old (shoulder and knee problems), without question, stem cell and PRP worked for us !! Thank you very much Dr. Darrow and all the staff for giving me a new lease (knees) on life. :)

thanks to dr. darrow i got my life back. my other doctor at a huge company everyone knows of had me doing the exact opposite for a whole year. after being very frustrated i found dr. darrow. he diagnosed what was really wrong with my back in about 5 min. after only 2 visits of stem cell therepy and a couple weeks rest i’m good as new and off all the poison meds the other dr. we’re filling me with. this man knows his business and resonbly priced. thanks dr darrow.

I’m an M.D. I’d had lumbar pain for years — MRI documented disc protrusion, epidural injections, nsaids, prednisone, vicodin, physical therapy, feldenkreis — when I finally saw Dr. Darrow for prolotherapy injections. There was a theoretical basis to it that I was neutral about — maybe yes, maybe no — but I was desperate to try anything. Within 2 weeks, I was in less pain than I’d been in for years. After several months of treatment, my pain wasn’t gone — but it was 90% reduced. Marc and his assistants were kind, calm, knowledgeable and competent. I’d recommend this clinic to anyone.

Over the past two years, I’ve seen approximately 5 doctors in regards to my Lateral Epicondylitis. It had been a very frustrating experience since they didn’t seem very convincing and just wanted to either inject me with more cortisone shots, send me off to more physical therapy, or perform surgery. PRP was mentioned by some, but they almost dismissed it as a fantasy cure. Overall, none of the doctors I met turned out to be very convincing in any way.
I became more and more curious about PRP treatment and sought out a true Prolotherapy specialist based on the research I did about the procedure. In just my first meeting with Dr. Darrow, I felt a certain calmness and trustworthiness that I now had found someone who could help. He was specific about the procedure and all the things that came with it, but most importantly, he had a deep understanding and belief in his treatment and was very positive that it could help me. What more could you ask for from a Doctor?
In all honesty, I’m still undergoing treatment, but I can truly say that there have been great results so far, and I look forward to hopefully putting this painful and frustrating condition behind me, and I have to thank Dr. Darrow and his team for showing me that possibility. If there’s one thing I’m grateful for, it’s his optimism and full belief in his treatment methods… and that’s what was missing from all the others doctors I had seen before. There was a time I didn’t think I’d ever be able to return to being physically active and do the things I enjoy like playing sports, riding my motorcycle, and just work around the house without experiencing pain. I look forward to doing all those things again soon, thanks to Dr. Darrow.

Dr. Darrow and his team are fantastic. I noticed an almost 100% improvement in my lower back after injuring it by over-​training for a half marathon — after the platelet (Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) therapy. The dextrose injection was less effective but cheaper. There’s the rub — insurance is not going to cover this baby but if you can cough up the cash it’s incredibly effective. You don’t need back surgery or drugs ‘n stuff — just try prolotherapy. Dr. Darrow is very loquacious too — and you’ll need all his inestimable charm and humor too since when the needles go in you definitely feel it. He talks, you groan — he jokes — you go quiet — he chats — you get better. As simple as that. Incredibly effective, non surgical treatment for sports injuries.

Nearly a year ago I limped into Dr. Darrow’s office after 5 years of severe hip pain and limitations. I am a martial arts master teaching about 10 blocks away and was searching for herbal remedies to my hip pain, that 3 doctors said needed a hip replacement. Then «Stem Cells» popped up and I was excited to learn of revolutionary treatments for the hip (and any joint)! Everything about Dr. Darrow and his staff is top notch and professional. I was walking with a painful loud clicking in the joint from a torn labrum and was bone on bone.
Dr. Darrow recommended multiple stem cell injections, and I began on my first visit. After my third injections (about 7 weeks, things started to change). the clicking went away and I was nearly in tears walking pain free! Now, 10 months later, I am not ruling out more visits, but one thing that is absolutely out of the question, is a TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT.
The procedure is not covered under insurance, so you will need at least $ 5000 to see if it works. You would probably pay more than that on your deductible for a hip replacement.
For those of you considering a hip replacement and think it is safe, I would do some research, Sepsis, cracked bones, metallosis (look it up), continuous pain, and amputations may be in store for you.
I am upset that some people have written negative reviews without even trying the procedure (or only trying it once). Of course your conventional Doctor is going to tell you it doesn’t work, He has $ 100,000 coming his way for cutting you open. (Google «Youtube Hip surgery» if you want to see how they tear you apart before signing on).
Being a martial arts instructor and hiker /​biker, I am very demanding on my joints. and feel improvements all the time! I really recommend some physical therapy and personal training to build your virgin muscles and tendons (Dr Darrow does not go into this much, and tells you to remain inactive for 3 weeks after the treatment). I still sometimes limp and am in pain when I push it, but it is 10 – 20 percent of what I had, and even though I now rarely take Advil, when I do, I am literally 100%!!! If you contact me, I would be glad to tell you of more about my experience and even show you some fancy kicks I can do thanks to Dr. Darrow. I can’t thank or praise him enough for saving my life!!!

PRP injections are $ 800+ and stem cell injections $ 1200+ (not covered). But here is the thing, you might need more than one, and there’s no guarantee it’s gonna work, ever. At the very first visit, I could have gotten an injection, but declined to do so. And luckily for me, I got another diagnosis describing a mechanical problem in my joint, for which PRP or stem cell would have been completely useless.

Dr. Darrow is the most honest doctor that you will find! I was lucky to hear his radio show on the weekends and I even called in a few times before going for my consultation. Unfortunately, I was not a candidate for his services. However my consultation was an informative session and well worth the visit to his office in Brentwood. He and his staff were extremely thoughtful and spent over 1 hour testing my body and answering every question that my father and I had for him. The office was clean and the machines and equipment looked like the latest cutting edge devices. I wish I was a candidate for the stem cell or prp but I had a bone tumor and PVNS disease of the hip which had already grown into my acetabulum and groin area. I had a second opinion from the Kerlan-​Jobe clinic, Kaiser Permanente and they both agreed with Dr. Darrow’s initial diagnosis. Other places such as UCI Medical Center and Hoag Hospital completely missed the PVNS and didn’t even know what it was or how to identify it in the MRI/MRA’s that I had completed.
I highly recommend meeting with Dr. Darrow and really considering his treatment methods before going for a surgery. He is an honest man and if you are not a candidate he will not do you any harm. I can tell you confidently that he is not in it for the money and it’s all about healing people and helping them if he can. Of Course, there are bills to pay to run a nice office such as theirs. They provide a care credit program and in my opinion it’s a fair price for this medical technology and the savvy of this doctor. I highly recommend Dr. Darrow!

My boyfriend hasn’t been able to lift his right arm due to baseball injuries that affected his shoulder in 15 years. He went to Dr. Darrow and after just one treatment of PRP and two days of rest He can move both arms! Plus, Dr. Darrow is peaceful and awesome with the best vibes. 10 out of 10.

For me, it’s a miracle!
I selected Dr. Darrow for treatments for my aged arthritic knee because of his expertise in this rather new field. I had a successful total knee replacement on my right leg two years ago. My internist suggested the stem cell therapy might work for me after he had checked out the Darrow Stem Cell Institute.
Following the intake consultation, Dr. Darrow thought this therapy might help me. He made it clear that there were no guarantees plus the fact that insurance (Medicare) would not cover it.
I agreed, and a kind and gentle tech drew some blood and ran it through a centrifuge. Dr. Darrow, with help from the ultrasound, injected these platelets into My Left Knee. Two weeks later, he drew stem cells from by pelvic bones, ran them through the centrifuge, and injected the cells into my knee. He duplicated each of these procedures bringing my treatment to two platelet and two stem cell injections over eight weeks.
I left on a trip where I walked a great deal. My knee hurt a good deal on that trip. Upon returning home, I rested for a couple of days, trying to stay off my legs as much as possible. It was then that my dear husband said, «You’re not limping.» That’s when I noticed it – no limping when walking around the house or outside! I’ve been limping so long, it’s become a habit. Have to work on remembering not to limp. There still is pain sitting down and rising, but it is my hope that will improve as time goes on.
It appears that I will not have another total knee replacement, but will have a healthier knee with much less pain. Thank you, Dr. Darrow. And thank your wonderful staff who work at the front desk and in the patient rooms for their excellent technique and kindness.

Dr. Darrow is a wonderful caring man and makes me feel at ease. His staff is also wonderful and comforting. If you have an injury, come here and Dr. Darrow will make you feel at home. He uses ultrasound to pinpoint the area to get it healed ASAP. Prolotherapy works and I’m upset insurance doesn’t cover it. It’s cheaper than surgery!