Intra-articular injection of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) or adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for knee osteoarthritis: a prospective comparative clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: We determined whether autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) injections provide clinical and functional improvements in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients, and whether the results differ between autologous bone marrow cells (BMAC) and adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs). METHODS: Between January 2021 and April 2022, 51 patients undergoing intra-articular injection of BMAC and 51 patients undergoing intra-articular injection of ADSCs were prospectively recruited. The Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L) classification was used to grade the severity of osteoarthritis. Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and visual analog scale (VAS) were collected for all 102 patients in the previous week before the procedures, and at the one and 6 months from injection. RESULTS: Knee KOOS scores, knee OKS scores, and VAS pain scores changed in similar ways in the two treatment groups. Both treatment groups demonstrated significant improvement pre-procedure to post-procedure in knee KOOS scores (p < 0.0001), knee OKS scores (p < 0.0001), and VAS pain scores (p < 0.0001). Patients with K-L grade 2 showed better functional and clinical outcomes than patients with K-L grades 3 and 4 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Both intra-articular BMAC and ADSC injections significantly improved pain and functional outcomes at 6-month follow-up in patients with KOA. The difference between BMAC and ADCSs groups as tissue sources of MSCs was not statistically significant in terms of clinical and functional outcomes.

Short-term results of intra-articular injections of stromal vascular fraction for early knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: In knee osteoarthritis, progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage surface produces disability and chronic pain. Intra-articular injections of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) could be an innovative approach to manage patients with early knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Between June 2019 and November 2020, 123 patients were recruited to receive intra-articular injection of SVF. Radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease was classified according to Kellgren and Lawrence grades. Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) and visual analog scale (VAS) were collected preoperatively, at 1 month, and after 6 months from injection. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement of KOOS and VAS of all patients to 6 months (p < 0.05). The mean KOOS before injection was 51.4 ± 16.5, after 1 month it was 75.5 ± 15.8, and at 6 months it was 87.6 ± 7.7. Stratifying the mean KOOS according to Kellgren-Lawrence Grades, the difference remained statistically significant (p < 0.05). The patients' mean VAS before injection was 6.5, after 1 month it was 3.5, and after 6 months it was 2.4. No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular knee injection of SVF is safe and effective to ameliorate the clinical and functional scores in patients with early knee osteoarthritis for 6 months.

Computer assisted total knee arthroplasty: 2.5 years follow-up of 200 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Computer assisted surgery in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) should improve accuracy of both femoral and tibial components placement. This study evaluated the functional outcomes of computer navigated total knee arthroplasty through the Knee Society Score (KSS) and Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (TLKSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2007 and February 2013, 180 patients (200 knees; 109 females and 71 males; mean age: 64 years) undergoing computer-assisted TKA were recruited. Plain radiographs and CT scans were performed post-operatively to evaluate alignment. The clinical outcomes were measured using the KSS and TLKSS pre-operatively and after 6, 12 and 36 months. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 2.5 years. The mean tourniquet time was 72 ± 13.4 min, and patients received an average of 0.6 ± 0.82 units of blood after surgery. The average preoperative KSS functional score of 44.6 ± 13.7 improved to 80.4 ± 16.4 after 2 years. The average preoperative TLKSS improved to 71.4 ± 13.5 after 2 years. The mechanical axis was within ±3° in all patients. No axial malalignments were observed on TC Scan. Three patients (1.6% of cases) required revision. CONCLUSION: Computer assisted TKA allows reproducible alignment and kinematics, reducing outliers, provides ligament balancing and ensures good short term outcomes in terms of KSS functional score and TLKSS.