Mesenchymal stem cell therapy combined with arthroscopic abrasion arthroplasty regenerates cartilage in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis: a case series

Aim:cTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC) therapy in combination with arthroscopic abrasion arthroplasty (AAA) in advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA).cMaterials & methods: 27 patients with Grade IV OA of the knee underwent AAA and ADMSC therapy (50 x 10(6)ADMSCs at baseline and 6 months). Clinical outcome was assessed over 36 months. Structural change was determined using MRI.Results:Treatment was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. Clinically significant improvements in pain and function were observed. Reproducible hyaline-like cartilage regeneration was seen in all participants. Conclusion: ADMSC therapy combined with AAA in Grade IV OA results in reproducible pain, functional and structural improvements. This represents a joint preservation technique for patients with advanced OA of the knee. Aim: In this study, we planned to test the safety and benefit of stem cell therapy in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA) when combined with keyhole knee surgery. Materials & methods: 27 patients with advanced knee OA received keyhole knee surgery and stem cell therapy. We measured the clinical effects of this treatment for 36 months and assessed any changes to the structure of the knee joint during that time using MRI scanning. Results: Patients tolerated the treatment well and there were no serious complications caused by it. Patients also experienced significant reduction in knee pain and improvement in knee function. Cartilage regeneration was also seen in all patients. Conclusion: Stem cell therapy combined with keyhole knee surgery in advanced OA leads to reduced pain, increased knee function and regrowth of cartilage. These results suggest this technique could in the future be used in patients with advanced knee OA to prevent the need for knee replacement surgery.