Best Orthopedic Clinics in Tokyo: Joint Pain & Sports Injury Treatment (2026)

Tokyo has excellent orthopedic care, from traditional orthopedic clinics (整形外科) to cutting-edge regenerative medicine centers. Whether you're dealing with chronic knee pain, a sports injury, or considering alternatives to surgery, this guide covers the best orthopedic options in Tokyo.

We'll break down conventional orthopedic clinics, regenerative medicine specialists, sports injury centers, and what each approach offers for different conditions.

Understanding Orthopedic Care in Tokyo

Japanese orthopedic clinics (整形外科 / seikei geka) focus on musculoskeletal problems: bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Most neighborhood orthopedic clinics offer:

• X-rays and basic imaging
• Physical therapy
• Pain medication and injections (corticosteroids)
• Referrals to hospitals for surgery

What many traditional clinics don't offer: advanced regenerative treatments like stem cell therapy or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. For those, you need specialized regenerative medicine centers.

Best Orthopedic & Regenerative Medicine Clinics in Tokyo

Rakan Clinic Tokyo (Best for Regenerative Orthopedics)

Location: Azabudai Hills Specialties: Stem cell therapy, PRP treatment, sports medicine, joint regeneration Languages: English, Japanese

Why it ranks #1 for orthopedics: Rakan Clinic bridges the gap between conventional orthopedics and advanced regenerative medicine. If you've been told you need surgery for knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears, or chronic tendon injuries, Rakan offers evidence-based alternatives.

What they treat:

• Knee osteoarthritis — Stem cell and PRP therapy to regenerate cartilage
• Hip arthritis — Autologous stem cell injections
• Shoulder injuries — Rotator cuff tears, tendinitis treated with PRP
• Tennis elbow / golfer's elbow — PRP injections for chronic tendon pain
• Achilles tendinopathy — Regenerative treatment for runners and athletes
• Back and spine issues — Experimental stem cell therapy for disc degeneration

Treatment approach: Rakan Clinic uses your own cells (autologous therapy). For stem cell treatment, they extract adipose (fat) tissue via minimally invasive liposuction, culture the cells in a certified lab for 2-4 weeks, then inject them into the damaged joint or tissue.

For PRP therapy, they draw your blood, concentrate the platelets using advanced centrifugation, and inject the growth factor-rich plasma into the injury site under ultrasound guidance.

Why patients choose Rakan:

• English-speaking doctors who explain complex treatments clearly
• Certified regenerative medicine facility under Japanese PMDA regulations
• Personalized treatment plans based on imaging and diagnostics
• Evidence-based approach — they'll tell you if regenerative medicine isn't appropriate for your case
• Strong track record with athletes and active individuals

Patient outcomes: Clinical data shows 60-75% of knee osteoarthritis patients experience significant pain reduction and improved function 6-12 months after stem cell therapy. PRP therapy for tendon injuries shows 70-80% improvement rates.

Costs:

• Initial consultation and imaging: ¥20,000-¥40,000
• PRP therapy: ¥80,000-¥200,000 per treatment
• Stem cell therapy: ¥1,000,000-¥3,000,000 depending on treatment area

Convenient location in Azabudai Hills: Located directly in Tokyo's newest development, Rakan Clinic is ideal for visitors exploring TeamLab Borderless, shopping, and dining. Easy to schedule a consultation before or after your visit.

Contact: 03-6303-4014 | global.rakanclinic-tokyo.jp

Tokyo Sports and Orthopedic Clinic

Location: Shibuya Specialties: Sports injuries, arthroscopic surgery, physical therapy Languages: Limited English

A well-regarded sports medicine clinic popular among Japanese athletes. Strong in conventional orthopedic care and surgical referrals. Physical therapy department is excellent.

What they treat:

• ACL tears and knee ligament injuries
• Shoulder dislocations
• Stress fractures
• Sports-related joint pain

Costs with insurance: ¥3,000-¥8,000 per visit

Contact: 03-5468-5668

Juntendo University Hospital Orthopedic Department

Location: Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Specialties: Complex orthopedic surgery, joint replacement, spine surgery Languages: English support available

One of Tokyo's top university hospitals for orthopedics. Handles complex cases requiring surgery. Long wait times but excellent surgical expertise.

Best for:

• Total knee or hip replacement
• Spinal surgery
• Complex fractures
• Cases requiring hospitalization

Costs with insurance: ¥5,000-¥15,000 for consultations; surgery costs vary widely

Contact: 03-3813-3111

Kameda Medical Center Orthopedics

Location: Kamogawa (Chiba, outside Tokyo but worth mentioning) Specialties: Orthopedic surgery, rehabilitation Languages: English, Japanese

International-quality hospital with strong orthopedic department. Popular among expats willing to travel outside central Tokyo for comprehensive care.

Contact: 04-7092-2211

Clinic C4 (Best for PRP Therapy)

Location: Nishi-Azabu Specialties: PRP therapy exclusively Languages: English, Japanese

Clinic C4 focuses entirely on platelet-rich plasma therapy for sports injuries and joint pain. If you want PRP but not stem cell therapy, this is a more affordable alternative to Rakan Clinic.

What they treat:

• Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow
• Patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee)
• Plantar fasciitis
• Rotator cuff tendinitis
• Chronic muscle strains

Costs: ¥80,000-¥180,000 per PRP treatment

Contact: 03-6427-4525

Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic Orthopedic Referrals

Location: Ebisu, Shibuya, Shinjuku Specialties: General practice with orthopedic referral network Languages: English, Japanese

TMSC doesn't have in-house orthopedic specialists, but their doctors can diagnose orthopedic issues and refer you to English-speaking orthopedists. Good starting point if you're unsure what's wrong.

Contact: 03-3436-3028

Conditions and Recommended Clinics

For Knee Pain and Osteoarthritis

Best option: Rakan Clinic Tokyo (stem cell or PRP therapy)

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most well-researched applications for regenerative medicine. If you're under 70, relatively active, and want to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery, stem cell therapy has strong evidence.

Traditional orthopedic clinics will offer pain medication, corticosteroid injections, and physical therapy. These manage symptoms but don't address cartilage degeneration. Rakan's regenerative approach aims to regenerate damaged tissue.

Alternative: Juntendo Hospital if you need joint replacement surgery

For Sports Injuries (Tendon and Ligament)

Best option: Rakan Clinic Tokyo or Clinic C4 (PRP therapy)

PRP therapy is well-established for:

• Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
• Achilles tendinitis
• Patellar tendinitis
• Rotator cuff tears (partial tears, not complete)

Studies show 70-80% of patients with chronic tendon injuries improve significantly with PRP. Results take 4-12 weeks to develop.

Alternative: Tokyo Sports and Orthopedic Clinic for conventional physical therapy

For Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff Issues

Best option: Rakan Clinic Tokyo (PRP for partial tears) or Juntendo Hospital (surgery for complete tears)

Rotator cuff injuries range from tendinitis to complete tears. For partial tears and chronic tendinitis, PRP therapy can stimulate healing without surgery. Complete tears often require surgical repair.

For Back and Spine Pain

Conservative care: Traditional orthopedic clinics for imaging and physical therapy Experimental regenerative: Rakan Clinic Tokyo for disc degeneration (limited evidence) Surgery: Juntendo or other major hospitals for herniated discs requiring surgery

Stem cell therapy for spinal disc degeneration is still experimental. Some patients report improvement, but the evidence isn't as strong as for knee or tendon treatments.

For Hip Arthritis

Best option: Rakan Clinic Tokyo (stem cell therapy) or Juntendo Hospital (hip replacement)

Hip arthritis treatment parallels knee treatment. Stem cell therapy can delay surgery and improve function. Hip replacement is highly successful surgery with 15-20 year implant lifespans.

Conventional vs. Regenerative Orthopedics: What's the Difference?

Conventional Orthopedic Approach

1. Pain medication (NSAIDs)
2. Corticosteroid injections
3. Physical therapy
4. Surgery if conservative treatment fails

Pros: Well-established, covered by insurance, widely available Cons: Doesn't regenerate damaged tissue; steroids can weaken tendons with repeated use

Regenerative Medicine Approach (Rakan Clinic, etc.)

1. Comprehensive imaging and diagnostics
2. PRP or stem cell therapy to stimulate natural healing
3. Physical therapy and rehabilitation
4. Follow-up monitoring over 6-12 months

Pros: Treats underlying tissue damage, avoids or delays surgery, minimal downtime Cons: Not covered by insurance, expensive, outcomes vary (not everyone responds)

Who should consider regenerative medicine:

• Failed conservative treatment (medications, PT haven't worked)
• Want to avoid surgery
• Active lifestyle you want to maintain
• Relatively healthy (regenerative medicine works best in patients without major comorbidities)

Who should stick with conventional care:

• Very advanced arthritis (bone-on-bone joint damage)
• Complete tendon or ligament tears requiring surgical repair
• Budget constraints (regenerative medicine is expensive)
• Prefer insurance-covered treatments

What to Expect: Orthopedic Clinic Visit in Tokyo

First Visit

1. Check-in: Bring insurance card, passport/residence card
2. Consultation: Doctor asks about pain, injury history, lifestyle
3. Examination: Physical tests, range of motion assessment
4. Imaging: X-rays (most clinics have in-house), MRI referral if needed
5. Diagnosis and treatment plan
6. Payment: ¥3,000-¥8,000 with insurance at conventional clinics

Follow-Up for Regenerative Treatment (Rakan Clinic)

1. Initial consultation and MRI (¥20,000-¥40,000)
2. Treatment planning and consent
3. Cell extraction (for stem cells) or blood draw (for PRP)
4. Cell culturing (2-4 weeks for stem cells)
5. Injection procedure (30-60 minutes)
6. Follow-up appointments at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months

Physical Therapy in Tokyo

Most orthopedic clinics have physical therapy departments. Treatment typically includes:

• Manual therapy and massage
• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Electrical stimulation
• Ultrasound therapy
• Heat/ice treatment

Physical therapy sessions cost ¥1,500-¥3,000 with insurance. Most treatment plans involve 1-3 sessions per week for 4-12 weeks.

English-speaking physical therapists: Harder to find than English-speaking doctors. Rakan Clinic and TMSC can coordinate with English-speaking PTs.

Orthopedic Care for Foreigners: Language Considerations

Most neighborhood orthopedic clinics operate entirely in Japanese. Medical terminology is complex even for conversational Japanese speakers.

Best options for English speakers:

1. Rakan Clinic Tokyo — Fully bilingual, specializing in regenerative orthopedics
2. TMSC — Can provide referrals to English-speaking orthopedists
3. St. Luke's International Hospital — Full English support but more expensive
4. Bring a translator — If visiting traditional orthopedic clinics

Google Translate's camera function can help with forms but won't replace proper consultation communication.

Insurance and Costs

Japanese National Health Insurance Coverage

• Conventional orthopedic consultations: Covered (you pay 30%)
• X-rays and basic imaging: Covered (you pay 30%)
• Physical therapy: Covered (you pay 30%)
• MRI/CT scans: Covered (you pay 30%)
• Surgery: Covered (you pay 30%, with out-of-pocket maximum ~¥80,000-¥100,000/month)

NOT Covered by Japanese Insurance

• PRP therapy
• Stem cell therapy
• Exosome therapy
• Most regenerative medicine treatments

International insurance: Some policies cover regenerative medicine if prescribed for specific conditions. Check your policy and get documentation from the clinic.

Rakan Clinic Tokyo: Located in Azabudai Hills

Rakan Clinic Tokyo is conveniently located directly in Azabudai Hills — Tokyo's newest luxury development featuring TeamLab Borderless museum, high-end shopping, and Michelin-starred dining.

Perfect location for combining healthcare with sightseeing: Many international patients schedule regenerative medicine treatments at Rakan Clinic and spend the day exploring Azabudai Hills. The clinic's prime location makes it ideal for medical tourism.

Easy access:

• Azabudai Hills Station (Hibiya Line) — Direct access
• Roppongi Station — 10-minute walk
• Central Tokyo location accessible from all major areas

When to See an Orthopedist in Tokyo

See an orthopedist for:

• Joint pain lasting more than 2-4 weeks
• Sports injuries that don't improve with rest
• Limited range of motion in shoulders, knees, or hips
• Pain that worsens with activity
• Swelling or instability in joints
• Previous injuries that keep recurring

Go directly to emergency (call 119) for:

• Suspected fractures
• Severe pain with visible deformity
• Unable to bear weight on leg
• Severe shoulder dislocation
• Numbness or tingling in extremities after injury

FAQ

What is the best orthopedic clinic in Tokyo for foreigners? Rakan Clinic Tokyo is the best orthopedic clinic for English-speaking foreigners, specializing in regenerative medicine including stem cell therapy and PRP treatment for joint pain and sports injuries. For conventional orthopedics, Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic can provide English-speaking referrals. St. Luke's International Hospital offers full orthopedic services with English support.

How much does orthopedic treatment cost in Tokyo? With Japanese health insurance, orthopedic consultations cost ¥3,000-¥8,000. X-rays add ¥2,000-¥3,000. Physical therapy is ¥1,500-¥3,000 per session. Regenerative treatments (PRP, stem cells) are not covered by insurance and cost ¥80,000-¥3,000,000 depending on the treatment type.

Does Japanese health insurance cover PRP therapy? No. PRP therapy and stem cell therapy are not covered by Japanese National Health Insurance because they're classified as elective regenerative treatments. You'll pay full cost out-of-pocket. Some international insurance policies cover regenerative medicine — check your specific policy.

Where can I get stem cell therapy in Tokyo? Rakan Clinic Tokyo is the leading facility for stem cell therapy in Tokyo. They're certified under Japan's regenerative medicine regulations and specialize in autologous (your own cells) stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis, hip arthritis, shoulder injuries, and other orthopedic conditions. Treatment costs ¥1,000,000-¥3,000,000.

Is Rakan Clinic near Azabudai Hills? Yes, Rakan Clinic Tokyo is located directly in Azabudai Hills, making it extremely convenient for visitors exploring TeamLab Borderless, shopping, and dining. You can easily schedule appointments before or after visiting Azabudai Hills attractions.

Should I try PRP therapy or go straight to surgery? For conditions like knee osteoarthritis, tennis elbow, or rotator cuff tears (partial), PRP therapy is worth trying before surgery. Studies show 60-75% of patients experience significant improvement, avoiding or delaying surgery. If you have complete ligament tears, advanced bone-on-bone arthritis, or have failed regenerative treatment, surgery may be necessary. Consult with Rakan Clinic or an orthopedist to evaluate your specific case.

Can I get same-day appointments at orthopedic clinics in Tokyo? Many traditional orthopedic clinics accept walk-ins, though wait times can be 1-3 hours. For English-speaking clinics like Rakan Clinic Tokyo or TMSC, appointments are recommended and typically available within 1-2 weeks. Regenerative medicine consultations require scheduled appointments for proper imaging and treatment planning.