Pioneer in Biologic Joint Repair and Regenerative Orthopaedics
Dr. Stone has spent his career developing advanced orthopaedic techniques to repair, regenerate, and replace damaged cartilage and ligaments while helping people return to the activities they love.
Orthopaedic Surgeon | Founder, The Stone Clinic | Chairman, Stone Research Foundation
Becker’s Spine ReviewAbout Kevin R. Stone, MD
Kevin R. Stone, MD is a pioneer of advanced orthopaedic surgical and rehabilitation techniques to repair, regenerate, and replace damaged cartilage and ligaments.
He is an orthopaedic surgeon at The Stone Clinic and also the chairman of the Stone Research Foundation in San Francisco, California. Through the foundation, Dr. Stone helps advance research, surgical education, and regenerative orthopaedic therapies designed to accelerate healing, preserve joints, and extend active lives. He lectures around the world as an expert in cartilage and meniscal growth, replacement, and repair, and holds over 40 U.S. patents on novel inventions to improve healthcare.
Dr. Stone uses anabolic therapy and other biologic techniques to work to preserve the natural biology of a joint, helping people avoid or delay an artificial joint replacement. Dr. Stone is one of the world’s leading experts in meniscus transplantation. Performing over 500 meniscus transplantations through the Meniscus Transplant Center, he and his team specialize in giving people back their vital meniscus shock absorbers.
At The Robotic Joint Center, Dr. Stone uses advanced robotic-assisted surgery techniques to ensure that partial and total knee replacements result in precise alignment and a more natural-feeling knee.
Dr. Stone was trained at Harvard University in internal medicine and orthopaedic surgery and at Stanford University in general surgery. His fellowship was in research at the Hospital for Special Surgery and in knee surgery in Lake Tahoe. Dr. Stone is consistently listed as one of the country’s top 25 Ambulatory Surgery Center physicians and ranks amongst the country’s top 75 knee surgeons.
He is a physician for Smuin Ballet and has served as a physician for the U.S. Ski Team, the U.S. Pro Ski Tour, the Lawrence Pech Dance Company, Marin Ballet, and the United States Olympic Training Center. He has been featured on TED, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, Forbes, Triathlete Magazine, SKI Magazine, the Ologies podcast, and the StarTalk podcast hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson. He is also the best-selling author of the book Play Forever.
In this short overview, Dr. Stone explains how surgical care, rehabilitation, research, and outcomes tracking come together at The Stone Clinic.
The Stone Approach
As founder of The Stone Clinic, Kevin R. Stone, MD built an approach focused on preserving and restoring your own natural tissue. Using advanced biologic, joint-preserving, and robotic-assisted techniques, Dr. Stone repairs and regenerates to help athletes return to sport fitter, faster, stronger than they've been in years.
The Stone Clinic approach combines exceptional surgical care, personalized rehabilitation, ongoing research, and rigorous outcomes tracking to achieve lasting results and long-term joint performance.
Dr. Stone’s Perspective
“I am an orthopaedic surgeon, clinician scientist, inventor, and founder of multiple companies. I divide my life between clinical practice, non-profit research, and for-profit research. My clinical and research focus is biologic joint repair and regeneration for the knee, shoulder, and ankle, with the goal of helping my patients stay active for a lifetime. I have had the privilege of helping world-class Olympic athletes and weekend warriors rebuild, and I have learned from each person that injuries can be opportunities to improve. The best recoveries come from people who see themselves as athletes in training, not patients in rehab.”
Media & Recognition
Dr. Stone is a trusted voice for medical, scientific, and public audiences on sports medicine, longevity, and performance, sharing expert insight on injury recovery and the science of lifelong mobility.
Selected Features and Recognition
- Becker’s Healthcare: Orthopedic Surgeons to Know
- TED Conference: The Bio-Future of Joint Replacement
- Featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, SKI Magazine, and Good Morning America
- Guest expert on Ologies, StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, and other podcast conversations
- Author of Play Forever
Dr. Stone’s Weekly Blog
Since 2013, Dr. Stone has written a short weekly column he describes as a "gift to his patients," sharing timely expert insight on sports, performance, injury recovery, orthopaedic care, and staying active for life.
Featured in Triathlete Magazine
Can I Still Run After Knee Replacement Surgery?
This feature explores how endurance athletes with knee arthritis may have options beyond giving up running, including biologic treatments, robotic partial knee replacement, and return-to-sport rehabilitation.
Media Inquiries & Press
For interviews, podcast appearances, or expert commentary, contact media@stoneclinic.com.
The Play Forever Philosophy
A Lifelong Commitment to Movement, Recovery, and Active Living
In his book Play Forever: How to Recover from Injury & Thrive, Dr. Stone shares his lifelong commitment to movement, resilience, and living well at any age. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and research, he offers a practical, inspiring roadmap for healing, prevention, and staying active for life.
“Essential reading for anyone who wants to move well, recover fully, and live life with purpose.”
Research & Innovation
As chairman of the Stone Research Foundation, Dr. Stone helps guide research, surgical education, and outcomes tracking. SRF’s vision is to turn scientific discovery into regenerative therapies that accelerate healing and treat, prevent, and cure osteoarthritis.
Appointments & Memberships
Clinical Appointments
- Orthopaedic Surgeon, private practice, 1988 – Present
The Stone Clinic, San Francisco, CA - Founder and Chairman, 1996 – Present
Stone Research Foundation, San Francisco, CA - Attending Staff, 1988 – Present
California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA - Attending Staff, 2016 – Present
St. Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco, CA - Attending Staff, 2017 – Present
Fremont Surgery Center, Fremont, CA
Other Appointments
- Feature Columnist, 2014 – 2020
San Francisco Examiner - Advisory Panel, 2010 – Present
espnW at ESPN - Head Physician, 2018 – Present
World Pro Ski Tour - Reviewer, 2017 – Present
Journal of International Medical Research, American Journal of Sports Medicine Cartilage
Memberships
Dr. Stone is a member of the following professional medical and clinical research organizations:
- AAOS – American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- ABOS – American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
- ACLSG – The Anterior Cruciate Ligament Study Group
- ACSM – American College of Sports Medicine
- CMA – California Medical Association
- COA – California Orthopaedic Association
- ESSKA – European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy
- ICRS – International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society
- ISAKOS – The International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
- MTSG – Meniscus Transplant Study Group
- ORS – Orthopaedic Research Society
- SFMMS – San Francisco Marin Medical Society
- SICOT – Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie (International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology)
- WOA – Western Orthopaedic Association
Full Curriculum Vitae
For a complete list of Dr. Stone’s academic appointments, publications, patents, presentations, memberships, and professional roles, view his full CV.
Ready to Discuss Your Options With Dr. Stone?
Whether you live near San Francisco or are considering care from outside the Bay Area, connect with Dr. Stone to review your case and take the first step toward recovery.
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