Knee osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition that affects millions of adults around the world. Unfortunately, current treatments for the condition have not been effective in managing symptoms or improving quality of life for patients.
The medical community must make strides to develop more effective treatments for knee osteoarthritis in order to improve the lives of those living with this painful chronic illness. Current treatment options often involve anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and possibly surgical intervention. While these treatments may offer some relief from symptoms, they often do not provide long-term solutions or significantly improve quality of life.
Therefore, medical professionals should look into new interventions that target the root causes of the condition rather than simply managing symptoms. Stem cell therapy could be a promising alternative to traditional treatment methods for knee osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that this form of regenerative medicine can promote tissue growth and repair, reducing inflammation in the joints and providing lasting relief from pain. For patients who are not getting the desired results with traditional treatments, stem cell therapy may offer a more effective solution for managing the condition.
With further research, stem cell therapy could become a mainstream treatment option for knee osteoarthritis patients and provide long-term relief from pain, inflammation, and other symptoms associated with the condition. A study, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injections Improve Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis, looked into the potential of stem cell therapy for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.
Results of the Study
A group of eighteen people–six men and twelve women, with mean age of 54.6 years spanning from ages 41 to 69–were the subject of this study. Adipose tissue was collected from every participant and stem cells were extracted from it. The stem cells were prepared with 3 mL of platelet-rich plasma before being injected in the selected patient’s knees, totaling 1,180,000 cells per person on average.
Results of the study were studied using three main measures: the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index, the Lysholm Score, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Follow-up with patients lasted for a period of 24 to 60 months.
The results were promising and a major milestone for the medical community. The therapy was first evaluated for its safety and no serious complications or adverse effects were observed in any of the patients during or post-surgery.
The study revealed a substantial decrease in WOMAC scores. Initially, the mean score was 49.9 which decreased to 38.3 at the one year evaluation and further to 30.3 at the last follow-up point after stem cell injections. It was determined that these results displayed a statistically significant difference from preoperative WOMAC scores.
Patients who had been diagnosed with ICRS grade 3 OA saw a 30.6 point improvement in their condition after receiving stem cell injections, as opposed to the 15.0 point improvement seen in patients with ICRS grade 4 OA. The WOMAC score, which is an indicator of treatment efficacy, increased as the number of cells injected increased – suggesting that these injections are a promising option for those with more severe cases of osteoarthritis.
The Lysholm knee scoring system was used to measure knee function and instability in this study. A score of 100 denotes no issues with the knee, while 0 suggests complete absence of function. Before the study began, the mean Lysholm score was 40.1 and improved to 73.4 afterwards–a change deemed statistically significant.
The research has shown that the procedure can improve knee function and reduce pain for patients. The VAS was used to measure pain intensity, with 0 being no pain and 10 indicating the worst possible pain. On average, the preoperative VAS score of the participants in the study was 4.8 but it decreased to 2.0 at the end of the research period. This change was found to be statistically significant, showing that our surgery had a positive effect on reducing patient discomfort.
The control MRI study after treatment showed impressive results: the WORMS score improved from an initial mean of 60.0 to 48.3 points at the last follow-up visit, paving the way for a more healthy future. Patients experienced a reduction in their cartilage subscore. The subscore went from 28.3 points to 21.7 points at the last follow-up visit. Patients who had larger doses of stem cells saw more significant improvements. The postoperative MRI studies of one 45-year-old female patient showed particularly notable changes in cartilage defects.
The results of the study are encouraging and show that intra-articular injection of MSCs can reduce pain and improve knee function. Patients who received an intra-articular injection of MSCs displayed significant improvements in pain and knee function, compared to those who did not receive the injections. This data suggests that intra-articular MSC injections are an effective, safe treatment for OA in the knee.
