Why George Kittle Gets Stem Cell Therapy Twice a Year: What Athletes Should Know

Quick Answer: Why Does George Kittle Get Stem Cell Therapy Twice a Year?

George Kittle has publicly described stem cell treatment as part of his offseason recovery routine.

According to Kittle and the Panama clinic he visits, he typically receives treatment after the season and again before the next season begins. Kittle has said he feels that the treatments help his body recover and that he has continued them because of his personal experience.

Kittle’s treatment has reportedly included intravenous administration of umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells at a clinic in Panama.

However, one athlete’s experience cannot establish that IV stem cell therapy improves recovery, prevents injury, or enhances athletic performance.

NFL team physicians have specifically noted that although cell-based therapies are an important research area, there is currently no robust evidence supporting intravenous cell infusions for musculoskeletal applications in NFL athletes.

That distinction is important.

Kittle’s story tells us what one elite athlete chooses to incorporate into his recovery program. It does not tell us what every athlete should do or what result another patient should expect.

Watch: George Kittle’s Stem Cell Therapy Routine

Video: George Kittle Stem Cell Therapy

Video Transcript

There is an NFL player who literally flies on a plane twice a year to get stem cell therapy. Here’s the science behind why he does that.

I’m Dr. John Dame at The Re/ Clinic here in Utah, and this is George Kittle’s story.

George Kittle is a tight end in the NFL, and by age 29, his body was broken down in all kinds of ways, including his Achilles tendon.

He sought a solution for that by turning to regenerative medicine, specifically IV stem cell treatment.

How that works scientifically is the body wants to heal itself, but it needs support. The IV stem cells go and find the areas of inflammation, help recruit the body’s healing potential, and help Kittle return to play.

He seeks treatment twice a year to be on his best game, and we invite you to do the same.

Transcript lightly edited for punctuation and readability without changing the speaker’s meaning.

Important Context About the Video

The video summarizes Kittle’s regenerative medicine story, but a few details deserve additional context.

Kittle’s earlier publicly discussed Achilles condition was Achilles tendinosis affecting both Achilles tendons, along with other football-related injuries. That was part of the story surrounding his decision to begin pursuing treatment in Panama.

This should not be confused with the Achilles rupture Kittle suffered in January 2026, several years after he began receiving stem cell treatments. The 49ers confirmed that injury, and Kittle underwent surgery as part of his recovery.

Kittle later said during his 2026 rehabilitation that he had again traveled to Panama for four days of stem cell treatment and had been doing so twice annually for approximately six years.

The video also describes IV stem cells as traveling to areas of inflammation. While researchers study the behavior and signaling effects of mesenchymal stromal cells, the clinical behavior and therapeutic effects of intravenously delivered cells are complex. NFL team physicians have concluded that there is currently no robust evidence supporting IV cell infusions for musculoskeletal applications.

1. Does George Kittle Really Get Stem Cell Therapy Twice a Year?

Yes, according to Kittle himself.

Kittle has publicly discussed receiving stem cell treatment in Panama on a recurring basis.

In 2024, he said during an interview that he was a regular user of stem cell therapy and pursued treatment twice during the offseason.

In 2026, while rehabilitating his Achilles rupture, Kittle said he had just returned from four days of stem cell treatment in Panama and had been receiving stem cells there twice annually for six years.

The Panama clinic he visits describes his typical schedule as:

One treatment after the NFL season
Another treatment before the next season begins

According to the clinic, Kittle has incorporated this into his broader approach to recovery and performance.

That makes this more than an internet rumor.

Kittle has openly acknowledged using stem cell therapy.

2. Why Did George Kittle Start Using Stem Cell Therapy?

Professional football is physically demanding even when an athlete does not sustain one major injury.

Repeated contact, sprinting, cutting, blocking, tackling, strength training, and games can create an accumulation of:

Muscle soreness
Tendon problems
Joint discomfort
Sprains and strains
Bruising
Chronic overuse injuries
Previous injury symptoms

Kittle’s original treatment story described him as dealing with multiple football-related problems, including bilateral Achilles tendinosis.

Kittle has said he believes stem cell treatment helps his body feel better and recover during the offseason. Those statements represent his personal experience, not proof of treatment effectiveness.

That distinction matters whenever a professional athlete discusses a medical treatment.

3. What Type of Stem Cell Treatment Does Kittle Receive?

Kittle travels to the Stem Cell Institute in Panama.

The clinic describes using human umbilical cord tissue-derived allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells and reports that Kittle receives systemic stem cell therapy as part of his visits.

What Does Allogeneic Mean?

Allogeneic means that the cells or tissue originate from a donor rather than from the patient receiving treatment.

That differs from autologous regenerative procedures, which use material obtained from the patient’s own body, such as:

PRP from the patient’s blood
Bone marrow aspirate
Certain adipose-derived preparations

The specific preparation, processing, dose, regulatory status, and administration method matter when interpreting any research on cell-based treatments.

The phrase “stem cell therapy” does not describe one standardized medical procedure.

4. What Happened With George Kittle’s Achilles?

This is an especially important distinction now.

His Earlier Achilles Problems

When Kittle was younger, his regenerative medicine story included Achilles tendinosis, a chronic tendon condition, affecting both Achilles tendons.

Tendinosis and an Achilles rupture are not the same injury.

His 2026 Achilles Rupture

On January 11, 2026, Kittle suffered a torn Achilles during the 49ers’ playoff game against Philadelphia.

The team confirmed the rupture after the game.

Kittle subsequently underwent surgery and began a structured rehabilitation program.

While discussing that recovery later in 2026, Kittle emphasized several components of his rehabilitation, including his rehab team, strength coach, recovery practices, and another trip to Panama for stem cell treatment.

That is an important reminder that even an athlete who strongly believes in regenerative medicine may still require conventional surgical treatment for a significant structural injury.

Stem cell therapy did not eliminate the need for Achilles surgery in this case.

5. Why Are Professional Athletes Interested in Regenerative Medicine?

Elite athletes have an unusual relationship with recovery.

For many people, a sore knee is inconvenient.

For a professional athlete, a knee, tendon, or muscle problem can affect:

Playing time
Performance
Contracts
Career longevity
Strength
Speed
Training
Ability to compete

That creates significant interest in treatments that might potentially improve symptoms or support recovery.

Orthobiologic approaches studied in sports medicine include:

Platelet-rich plasma
Bone marrow-derived cell preparations
Mesenchymal stromal cell therapies
Other cellular and tissue-based products

NFL team physicians have acknowledged the significant scientific interest surrounding these approaches while emphasizing that evidence varies widely depending on the product and condition.

6. How Are Cell-Based Therapies Thought to Work?

One common misconception is that injected mesenchymal stromal cells simply travel into damaged tissue and transform into brand-new tendon, cartilage, or muscle.

Current research suggests the potential mechanisms are considerably more complicated.

Sports-medicine consensus literature describes paracrine signaling as one proposed mechanism.

In simple terms, this means researchers are interested in molecules released by cells that may influence surrounding biological processes rather than assuming the cells directly become replacement tissue.

Areas being investigated include effects on:

Cellular signaling
Inflammatory pathways
Local tissue environments
Immune responses
Repair processes

However, proposed biological mechanisms and laboratory findings do not automatically establish meaningful clinical benefits in humans.

7. Do IV Stem Cells Travel Directly to Injured Areas?

This is often described as stem cell “homing.”

It is an appealing concept, especially when discussing IV treatment for athletes with multiple areas of soreness or injury.

But the clinical evidence does not currently justify saying that an IV infusion simply identifies every damaged body part and repairs it.

The NFL’s expert consensus on biologic treatments specifically concluded that there was no robust evidence supporting IV cell therapy for musculoskeletal applications in NFL athletes.

Researchers continue studying cell trafficking, signaling, immune effects, and biodistribution.

For patients, the important distinction is:

A proposed biological mechanism is not the same as a proven clinical outcome.

8. What Does the Research Say About Stem Cells for Athletes?

There is legitimate scientific interest in regenerative medicine within sports medicine.

But evidence depends heavily on what injury and what treatment are being discussed.

NFL physicians have identified potential areas of investigation including:

Tendon injuries
Muscle injuries
Cartilage damage
Ligament injuries
Meniscus injuries
Osteoarthritis
Difficult fractures

At the same time, the NFL physician consensus cautions that cell-based therapy remains an evolving field and that strong clinical evidence is lacking for many applications.

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine has likewise called for responsible use of regenerative therapies with careful attention to evidence, safety, regulatory considerations, and informed decision-making.

What About IV Stem Cells Specifically?

This distinction is important for the Kittle story.

There is more musculoskeletal research involving local injections into specific joints or injured structures than there is evidence supporting systemic IV stem cell infusions for athletic injuries.

NFL team physicians specifically reported insufficient evidence for routine use of certain placental or amniotic cell products and no robust evidence for IV cell infusions for musculoskeletal purposes.

9. Does George Kittle’s Experience Prove Stem Cell Therapy Works?

No.

It tells us something interesting about George Kittle’s personal recovery routine.

It does not tell us what would happen to another athlete.

Kittle’s recovery program also includes access to:

NFL medical professionals
Physical therapists
Strength and conditioning coaches
Athletic trainers
Nutrition support
Imaging
Surgical specialists when needed
Extensive rehabilitation
Recovery technology

Kittle himself credited his rehab team, strength coach, overall recovery habits, and other aspects of rehabilitation while discussing his 2026 Achilles recovery.

It would therefore be inappropriate to attribute his career longevity or return from injuries to stem cell therapy alone.

10. Professional Athletes vs. Everyday Patients

This may actually be the most useful lesson from Kittle’s story.

You do not have to play in the NFL to care deeply about recovery.

Your version of “return to play” might mean:

Running again
Skiing
Playing golf
Hiking
Strength training
Pickleball
Returning to work
Keeping up with your children
Walking without constantly thinking about pain

But your treatment should be based on your diagnosis, not on what an NFL athlete receives.

A professional football player and a recreational athlete may have completely different:

Injuries
Medical histories
Recovery resources
Physical demands
Risk tolerance
Treatment goals

That is why regenerative treatment should begin with an evaluation rather than copying someone else’s protocol.

11. What Happens During an Athlete Evaluation at The Re/ Clinic?

At The Re/ Clinic in Sandy, Utah, we offer regenerative medicine services and evaluate patients interested in options for musculoskeletal concerns.

The evaluation may include:

Your Injury

What happened?

Was there one specific injury, or did symptoms develop over time?

Your Symptoms

Where is the pain?

Do you have:

Weakness?
Swelling?
Instability?
Reduced range of motion?
Pain during exercise?

Your Imaging

Depending on the condition, we may review:

MRI
X-rays
CT scans
Ultrasound
Surgical reports

What You’ve Already Tried

That may include:

Physical therapy
Rest
Activity modification
Cortisone
PRP
Surgery
Bracing
Medication

Your Goals

What are you actually trying to return to?

The answer helps guide the conversation.

Regenerative medicine may be one option to discuss, but it should not automatically replace established treatments, rehabilitation, or surgical evaluation when those are appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does George Kittle really get stem cells twice a year?

Yes.

Kittle has publicly stated that he travels to Panama for stem cell treatment twice a year. In 2026, he said he had followed that routine for approximately six years.

Why does George Kittle go to Panama for stem cell therapy?

Kittle has said he incorporates stem cell therapy into his broader recovery routine and feels that it helps his body recover.

The Panama clinic he visits reports that he typically receives treatment after the season and again before the next NFL season.

Did George Kittle get stem cells for his Achilles?

Kittle’s earlier stem cell story included bilateral Achilles tendinosis.

After suffering an Achilles rupture in January 2026 and undergoing surgery, he later publicly said he had again traveled to Panama for stem cell treatment during his rehabilitation.

That does not establish that the treatment accelerated healing of the rupture.

Did stem cells prevent Kittle from needing Achilles surgery?

No.

Kittle suffered a torn Achilles in January 2026 and underwent surgery.

This is a useful example of why regenerative medicine should not be presented as a universal substitute for surgery.

Do IV stem cells automatically go to injured areas?

The biological behavior of intravenously administered cells is more complicated than that statement suggests.

While cell trafficking and signaling are active areas of research, NFL team physicians have stated that there is currently no robust evidence supporting IV cell infusions for musculoskeletal applications.

Can stem cells help athletes recover faster?

Some regenerative approaches have encouraging research in particular musculoskeletal conditions, but evidence varies significantly by treatment and injury.

There is not enough evidence to promise that stem cell therapy will make an athlete recover faster.

Do other NFL players use regenerative medicine?

Yes. Orthobiologics have attracted considerable interest among professional athletes, and NFL team physicians have published consensus statements specifically addressing their use.

That does not mean every treatment used by an athlete has been proven effective.

Are IV stem cells FDA-approved for athletic recovery?

No.

The FDA states that regenerative medicine therapies have not been approved for orthopedic conditions including tendonitis, knee pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, back pain, and other musculoskeletal concerns.

Kittle’s treatments are also reported to take place in Panama, where the regulatory framework is different from that of the United States.

You Don’t Have to Play in the NFL to Take Recovery Seriously

George Kittle’s story shows just how much attention elite athletes give to recovery and longevity.

But the right lesson is not:

“George Kittle gets stem cells, so I should too.”

A better question is:

“What is causing my symptoms, and what options make sense for my body and my goals?”

At The Re/ Clinic in Sandy, Utah, our medical team can review your injury history, symptoms, previous treatment, available imaging, and goals before discussing whether regenerative treatment may be reasonable to consider. The clinic currently offers regenerative medicine services involving umbilical cord-derived therapies.

Whether your goal is returning to competition or simply getting back to the activities you enjoy, the first step is understanding the injury.

Schedule a consultation with The Re/ Clinic to discuss your options.

Call: 385-240-1000
Location: 9035 S 700 E, Sandy, UT 84070

References

National Football League and NFL Physician Society. The Use of Biologics in NFL Athletes: An Expert Consensus of NFL Team Physicians. The consensus discusses current evidence, limitations, and use of orthobiologics, including cell-based therapies in professional football.
NFL and NFL Physician Society. 2019-2020 NFL and NFL Physician Society Orthobiologics Consensus Statement. Reviews PRP, cell-based therapies, evidence limitations, and responsible use in professional athletes.
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Position Statement: Principles for the Responsible Use of Regenerative Medicine in Sports Medicine. Provides guidance regarding evidence, patient safety, and responsible application of regenerative medicine.
Stem Cell Institute Panama. Stem Cell Therapy Q&A With George Kittle. Describes Kittle’s reported twice-yearly treatment routine and the treatment offered by the clinic. Because this is the treating clinic’s own publication, its treatment-benefit claims should be interpreted as promotional rather than independent clinical evidence.
Stem Cell Institute Panama. George Kittle’s Experience With Stem Cell Therapy. Describes Kittle’s earlier history of bilateral Achilles tendinosis and other football-related injuries.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Important Patient and Consumer Information About Regenerative Medicine Therapies. Current FDA information regarding regenerative medicine products and orthopedic uses.
Utah Code § 58-1-512. Stem Cell Disclosure. Current Utah requirements for applicable non-FDA-approved stem cell therapy and related advertising.