The science related to use of stem cell and platelets for orthopedic needs is rapidly evolving. In the last 5 years the published data on these procedures has increased by over 500%. We collect data on every patient including validated questionnaires prior to each procedure and at 2, 6 and 12 weeks post-procedure. We hope to contribute to the science and to promote appropriate use of orthobiologic care in orthopedics. Enjoy some of the published stem cell articles that have inspired our work to date below.
Articles of Interest
Review Articles:
Mesenchymal stem cell-based treatment for cartilage defects in osteoarthritis. Qi Y, Feng G, Yan W. Mol Biol Rep. 2012 May;39(5):5683-9.
Current clinical therapies for cartilage repair, their limitation and the role of stem cells. Dhinsa BS, Adesida AB. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2012 Mar;7(2):143-8. 2
Mesenchymal stem cell-based treatment for cartilage defects in osteoarthritis Qi Y, Feng G, Yan W. Mol Biol Rep. 2012 May;39(5):5683-9.
Current clinical therapies for cartilage repair, their limitation and the role of stem cells. Dhinsa BS, Adesida AB. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2012 Mar;7(2):143-8.
Platelet Rich Plasma Articles:
PRP and Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis Injection Choices: Platelet- Rich Plasma (PRP) versus Hyaluronic Acid 2015 Outcome: This study suggests that PRP injection is more efficacious than gel injections in reducing symptoms of pain and improving quality of life.
Multiple PRP injections are more effective than single injections for knee osteoarthritis 2015 Outcome: The clinical results of this study suggest IA PRP and HA treatment for all stages of knee OA. For patients with early OA, multiple (3) PRP injections are useful in achieving better clinical results.
PRP Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials 2020 Outcome: The effect of platelet concentrates goes beyond its mere placebo effect, and PRP injections provide better results than other injectable options. This benefit increases over time, being not significant at earlier follow-ups but becoming clinically significant after 6 to 12 months.
The effects of repeated intra-articular PRP injections on clinical outcomes of early osteoarthritis of the knee 2014 Outcome: A series of PRP injections improved pain and function in patients with early knee OA and repeating the series at 1 year improved long term benefit.
Treatment With Platelet-Rich Plasma Is More Effective Than Placebo for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Trial 2013 Outcome: PRP injections were better than placebo for knee pain from osteoarthritis
The Short-Term Effect of PRP on Chronic Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis 2019 Outcome: A series of 3 PRP injections results in a reduction in knee pain and an improvement in function.
Comparison between intra-articular infiltrations of placebo, steroids, hyaluronic and PRP for knee osteoarthritis: a Bayesian network meta-analysis 2020 Outcome: Injections of PRP demonstrated the best overall outcome compared to steroids, hyaluronic acid and placebo for patients with knee osteoarthrosis at 3, 6 and 12-months follow-up.
Comparing efficacy of intraarticular single cross linked Hyaluronan (HYAJOINT Plus) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus PRP alone for treating knee osteoarthritis 2021 Outcome: Injection of PRP was beneficial for knee pain from osteoarthritis and combining a gel injection with it improved pain reduction
Intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for treating knee pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee in the Japanese population: a phase I and IIa clinical trial Outcome: Injection of PRP for knee OA was beneficial for mild-moderate knee OA
Does Intra Articular Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Improve Function, Pain and Quality of Life in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee? A Randomized Clinical Trial 2014 Outcome: This study showed that intra articular PRP knee injection combined with therapeutic exercise can be more effective in pain reduction and improvement of stiffness and quality of life, compared with therapeutic exercise alone.
Effect of single injection of platelet-rich plasma in comparison with corticosteroid on knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. 2015 Outcome: Our study demonstrated that one shot of PRP injection, decreased joint pain more and longer-term, alleviated the symptoms, and enhanced the activity of daily living and quality of life in short-term duration in comparison with CS.
Single- and double-dose of platelet-rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid for treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial 2019 Outcome: PRP is a safe and efficient therapeutic option for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. It was demonstrated to be significantly better than hyaluronic acid. We also found that the efficacy of PRP increases after multiple injections
The effects of platelet-rich plasma injection in knee and hip osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial 2021 Outcomes: Intra-articular PRP injection provided better effects than other injections for OA patients, especially in knee OA patients, in terms of pain reduction and function improvement at short-term follow-up
MRI Changes After Platelet Rich Plasma Injection in Knee Osteoarthritis (Randomized Clinical Trial) 2020 Outcome: In this study, PRP improved knee pain, function and improved cartilage volume and synovial health
The influence of platelet rich plasma on synovial fluid volumes, protein concentrations, and severity of pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis 2017 Outcome: 3 PRP injections, ( 1 per month) were given and swelling in the knee decreased, and proteins associated with anti-agin increased and those associated with inflammation decreased.
Randomized controlled trial comparing hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma and the combination of both in the treatment of mild and moderate osteoarthritis of the knee 2016 Outcome: The findings of the study support the use of autologous PRP as an effective treatment of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. It also shows that the combination of HA and PRP resulted to better outcomes than HA alone up to 1 year and PRP alone up to 3 months. Furthermore, the results suggest that combination of PRP and HA could potentially provide better functional outcomes in the first 30 days after treatment with both PRP and HA alone.
Comparison of the Clinical Effectiveness of Single Versus Multiple Injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis 2019 Outcome: According to our results, a single injection was as effective as multiple PRP injections in pain improvement; however, multiple injections seemed more effective in joint functionality than a single injection at 6 months. We consider that the available evidence is still insufficient, and future research on this specific topic is needed to confirm our results.
Clinical outcomes are associated with changes in ultrasonographic structural appearance after platelet‐rich plasma treatment for knee osteoarthritis 2018 Outcome: Intra‐articular injection of PRP is an effective treatment that reduced pain and improved functional status in patients with KOA. The clinical outcomes of the intra‐articular injections of PRP are associated with improved synovial hypertrophy and vascularity scores, and less effusion
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Advanced Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial 2017 Outcome: A single PRP intra-articular injection is effective for relieving pain and improving activities of daily living and quality of life in late-stage knee OA. For patients with late-stage knee OA who are 67 years or older, 1 intra-articular injection of PRP has similar results to 1 shot of corticosteroid.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials 2021 Outcome: Patients undergoing treatment for knee OA with PRP can be expected to experience improved clinical outcomes when compared with HA. Additionally, leukocyte-poor PRP may be a superior line of treatment for knee OA over leukocyte-rich PRP, although further studies are needed that directly compare leukocyte content in PRP injections for treatment of knee OA.
The effects of platelet-rich plasma injection in knee and hip osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials 2021 Outcome: Intra-articular PRP injection provided better effects than other injections for OA patients, especially in knee OA patients, in terms of pain reduction and function improvement at short-term follow-up
Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Pain and Function in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Cohort Study 2021 Outcome: Intra-articular injections gave significant pain and flexion improvement in grades II, III and IV in OA patients, especially with multiple injection in the short-term follow-up. As a result, recommendation of repeated multiple injections up to four times is efficient in providing long time relief in knee OA.
Effect of Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Effect on Knee Osteoarthritis in Elderly: Single Dose versus Double Dose Randomized Clinical Trial 2021 Outcome: Both single and double dose injections of PRP improved pain and knee function
Does Intra-Articular Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma Have an Effect on Cartilage Thickness in Patients with Primary Knee Osteoarthritis? 2021 Outcome: Treatment with PRP injections can reduce pain and improve knee function in patients with various degrees of articular degeneration
Miscellaneous PRP Studies of Interest
Comparing Intra-articular Injections of Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Low–Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid for the Treatment of Symptomatic Osteoarthritis of the Hip: A Double-Blind, Randomized Pilot Study 2021 Outcome: Intra-articular hip injections of LP-PRP in patients with hip OA resulted in an improvement in WOMAC scores and hip internal rotation at 6 months and delayed the need for THA or a hip resurfacing procedure compared with treatment with LMW-HA.
The Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Gluteal Tendinopathy: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Trial Comparing a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection With a Single Corticosteroid Injection 2018 Outcomes: Patients with chronic gluteal tendinopathy >4 months, diagnosed with both clinical and radiological examinations, achieved greater clinical improvement at 12 weeks when treated with a single PRP injection than those treated with a single corticosteroid injection
Percutaneous Tendon Fenestration Versus Platelet‐Rich Plasma Injection for Treatment of Gluteal Tendinosis 2016 Outcome: Both needle Fenestration and PRP injections resulted in 71% and 79% improvement in pain and function by 92 days
Leucocyte-Rich Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment of Gluteus Medius and Minimus Tendinopathy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial With 2-Year Follow-up 2019 Outcome: Pain and function improved progressively over 104 weeks in the PRP group more than the steroid group
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections With Needle Tenotomy for Gluteus Medius Tendinopathy: A Registry Study With Prospective Follow-up 2016 Outcome: Patients with chronic moderate to severe gluteal tendinosis and partial gluteal tendon tears improved with ultrasound-guided intratendinous PRP injections
Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Surgery for the Management of Recalcitrant Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review 2020 Outcome: Both PRP and surgical intervention for the treatment of recalcitrant GTPS showed statistically and clinically significant improvements based on PROs. Although not covered by most medical insurance companies, PRP injections for recalcitrant GTPS provides an effective and safe alternative after failed physical therapy.
The Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Tendinopathy: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials 2016 Outcomes: There is good evidence to support the use of a single injection of LR-PRP under ultrasound guidance in tendinopathy. Both the preparation and intratendinous injection technique of PRP appear to be of great clinical significance.
Outcomes After Ultrasound-Guided Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Chronic Tendinopathy: A Multicenter, Retrospective Review 2013 Outcome: In this retrospective study, in which we evaluated administration of PRP for chronic tendinopathy, we found that the majority of patients reported a moderate (>50%) improvement in pain symptoms.
Ultrasound-guided Platelet-rich Plasma Application Versus Corticosteroid Injections for the Treatment of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Prospective Controlled Randomized Comparative Clinical Study 2020 Outcome: In conclusion, patients with GTPS present better and longer-lasting clinical results when treated with US-guided PRP injections compared to those with cortisone
Ultrasound‐Guided Intratendinous Injections With Platelet‐Rich Plasma or Autologous Whole Blood for Treatment of Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy 2015 Outcome: Both PRP and WB groups showed improvements in all outcome measures at 6 months. The PRP group showed significant improvements in 6‐month ADL and IHOT‐33 scores. The WB group reached significance in 15‐minute sitting pain. No significant between‐group differences were observed at any time point.
Platelet-rich plasma treatment improves outcomes for chronic proximal hamstring injuries in an athletic population 2014 Outcome: Six months after the injection, 10/18 patients had 80% or greater improvement in their VAS. Overall, the average improvement was 63%
Platelet-Rich Plasma in Patients With Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears or Tendinopathy Leads to Significantly Improved Short-Term Pain Relief and Function Compared With Corticosteroid Injection: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial 2021 Outcome: Patients with PTRCTs or tendinopathy experienced clinical improvement in pain and patient-reported outcome scores after both ultrasound-guided CS and PRP injections. Patients who received PRP obtained superior improvement in pain and function at short-term follow-up (3 months).
Subacromial Platelet Rich Plasma Injections Decrease Pain and Improve Functional Outcomes in Patients with Refractory Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy. 2021 Outcome: In most patients with refractory rotator cuff tendinopathy, subacromial injections of leukocyte-rich PRP significantly decreased pain, improved functional outcomes and resolved sleep disturbances. Moreover, most of the athletes returned to sports at the same level they had before the injury.
PRP and Achilles Tendonitis: Monto et al 2013 -30 patients with Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy for > 6 months received a single PRP injection. Pain and function improved significantly and 27 had healthy achilles tendons on repeat MRI.
PRP for Plantar Fasciitis:Martinelli et al 2013
-14 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis received 3 PRP injections. At 12 months follow up, patients reported their results were excellent in nine (64.3 %), good in two (14.3 %), acceptable in two (14.3 %) and poor in one (7.1 %) patient. Pain scores reduced from an average of 7 to 2.
Hip Arthritis and PRP vs PRP with Hyaluronic Acid
Results indicated that intra-articular PRP injections offer a significant clinical improvement in patients with hip OA
without relevant side effects. The benefit was significantly more stable up to 12 months as compared with the other tested treatments.
The addition of Hyaluronic Acid to PRP did not lead to a significant improvement in pain symptoms.
PRP and Knee Osteoarthritis: Sampson et al 2010
-3 Injections of PRP were given over 12 weeks. 60% of patient’s had improvement in pain and function. 50% had imaging demonstrated thickening of their knee cartilage.
PRP vs Placebo for Knee Osteoarthritis: Patel et al 2013
– 78 people with bilateral knee OA randomized to injections of saline, 1 injection of PRP or 2 injections of PRP. Those injected with PRP had significant improvements in pain, stiffness and function for at least 6 months as compared to those who received the placebo saline injection.
Knee Osteoarthritis and PRP: Smith et al 2016
-A randomized trial where patients with mild-moderate osteoarthritis of the knees received either 3 injections of PRP or saline(salt water) over 3 weeks. Patients were followed for one year and the pain and function improved by 78% in those receiving PRP and only by 7% in those who received salt water as a placebo.
PRP vs Hyaluronic Acid Injections in Knee Osteoarthritis: Raeissadat et al 2015
-2 knee joint injections with PRP was more effective then 3 injections of hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation)
PRP vs Hyaluronic Acid Injections in Knee Osteoarthritis: Kon et al 2011
-PRP injections showed more and longer effect than hyaluronic acid injections in reducing pain and symptoms and recovering articular function. Better results were achieved in younger and more active patients with a low degree of cartilage degeneration, whereas a worse outcome was obtained in more degenerated joints and in older patients, in whom results similar to those of viscosupplementation have been observed.
PRP and Hip Osteoarthritis: Sanchez et al 2011
-40 patients with severe hip osteoarthritis received 3 PRP injections over 3 weeks.
Patients had statistically significant reductions in pain and function questionnaires at 7 weeks and 6 months. 57.5% of patients reported a clinically relevant reduction of pain (45%, range 30–71%). 40% of these patients were classified as excellent responders who showed an early pain reduction at 6–7 weeks, which was sustained at 6 months, and a parallel reduction of disability. Side effects were negligible and were limited to a sensation of heaviness in the injection site.
Review Articles:
Efficacy of Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review.Meheux CJ, et al. Arthroscopy. 2015.
Comparative effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma injections for treating knee joint cartilage degenerative pathology: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Chang KV, et al. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014.
Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injections in osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Laudy AB, et al. Br J Sports Med. 2015.
Applications of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach Rosalyn T Nguyen MD, Joanne Borg-Stein MD, Kelly McInnis DO. PM&R; 2011 Mar; 3(3): 226-250.
Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Milieu of Bioactive Factors Boswell SG, Cole BJ, Sundman EA, Karas V, Fortier LA Arthroscopy 2012 Jan 25.
Musculoskeletal Applications of Platelet-Rich Plasma: Fad or Future? Kenneth S Lee, John J Wilson, David P Rabago, Geoffrey S Baer, Jon A Jacobson, Camilo G Borrero. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2011 Mar;196(3):628-36.
Micro-Fragmented Fat: “Lipogems”
Safety and Efficacy of Percutaneous Injection of Lipogems Micro-Fractured Adipose Tissue for Osteoarthritic Knees. 2018 Outcome: This study demonstrated significant improvements in pain, quality of life, and function for at least 12 months in this study population. This intervention may represent a nonsurgical treatment option to avoid knee joint replacement in this population. A total of 17 subjects (26 knees) with a median age of 72 years (range: 54-78 years) and a history of knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence, grade of 3 or 4) underwent treatment with ultrasound-guided injection of micro-fractured adipose tissue.
Injection of autologous micro-fragmented adipose tissue for the treatment of post-traumatic degenerative lesion of knee cartilage: a case report Outcome: Pain improved and then resolved completely by 6 weeks post procedure
Autologous Micro Fragmented Adipose Cell Therapy for End-Stage Ankle Osteoarthritis—Case Report and Review of Literature 2021 Outcome: There was considerable improvement in all patient-reported outcome measures at 6 months follow-up with no complications.
A pilot study to evaluate micro-fragmented adipose tissue injection under ultrasound guidance for the treatment of refractory rotator cuff disease in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury 2021 Outcomes: There were no significant adverse events throughout the study period. WUSPI, NRS, and BPI-I7 scores were significantly lower 6 and 12 months post-procedure (P < .05). Of those who remained in the trial, clinically meaningful changes (≥30% decrease) in WUSPI, NRS, and BPI-I7 scores were observed in 77.8%, 77.8%, and 66.7% of participants, respectively.
Fresh and frozen Lipogems-derived micro-fractured human adipose tissue generates mesenchymal stem cells with higher differentiation potential and in vivo repair efficacy 2016 Outcome: There is evidence to support the use of Lipogems MFAT in cellular restoration
Two-year clinical outcomes of autologous microfragmented adipose tissue in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multi-centric, international study 2021 Outcome: Seventy-five patients, 120 primary treatments, mean age 69.6 years. Patients with KL grade 2 disease had the best results in KOOS – Pain (P = 0.001), at six, 12, and 24 months. Including advanced KL grade 3 and 4 osteoarthritis patients, significant functional and quality of life success was seen in 106/120 treatments (88.3%, 66 patients) at all follow-up time points This study shows that a single-dose MFAT injection leads to clinical, functional, and quality of life improvement at two years in elderly patients, in KL grades 2 to 4 of knee osteoarthritis. These findings provide evidence that this treatment modality could be a safe and effective option to other commonly available treatments in carefully selected patients.
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis by intra-articular injection of concentrated autologous adipose tissue: a twenty four month follow-up study 2021 Outcome: In patients with knee OA, a single intra-articular injection of autologous adipose tissue reduced knee pain, stiffness, improved knee function and quality of life without severe complications. A total of 78/87 patients concluded the study. Overall, the patients were satisfied with the intervention and a significant reduction of the pain was observed in 67 patients, while the others did not report any change in pain severity or worsening. A statistically significant improvement was observed in the considered orthopaedic index, and no major adverse effects were described. The first week after the intervention, most patients reported knee swelling. Five patients failed because they underwent knee replacement surgery between five and nine months from treatment.
Clinical evaluation of micro-fragmented adipose tissue as a treatment option for patients with meniscus tears with osteoarthritis: a prospective pilot study 2020 Outcome: This study demonstrated that micro-fragmented adipose tissue injected directly into a torn meniscus and knee joint using ultrasound guidance represents a safe and potentially efficacious treatment option for patients with knee pain suffering from degenerative arthritis and degenerative meniscal tears.
Clinical use of autologous micro-fragmented fat progressively restores pain and function in shoulder osteoarthritis 2020 Outcome: A total of 25 subjects with OA received an injection of MFat™ and were followed at 6, 18 and 52 weeks intervals. Quantitative analysis of pain and function modalities were performed using the visual analog scale and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand, respectively. All study participants reported significant progressive improvement (p < 0.001) from baseline in visual analog scale and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand in shoulder OA cases up to a year post
AUTOLOGOUS MICRO-FRAGMENTED ADIPOSE TISSUE FOR SYMPTOMATIC KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: MINIMAL 12-MONTH FOLLOW-UP OUTCOMES 2020 Outcome: Pain and function improved in 91 knees treated with Lipogems MFAT procedure
A prospective study comparing leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma combined with hyaluronic acid and autologous microfragmented adipose tissue in patients with early knee osteoarthritis 2021 Outcome: Both groups had significant clinical and functional improvement at 6 and 12 months AMAT showed better clinical results in Tegner and KOOS Symptoms at 6 months and Tegner at 12 months
Patient-Centered Outcomes of Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Treatments of Knee Osteoarthritis: An Observational, Intention-to-Treat Study at Twelve Months 2020 Outcome: In 110 knees For patients with all grades of knee osteoarthritis who were treated with intra-articular injections of MFAT, statistically significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life were reported.
Bone Marrow Derived “Stem Cell” Injections
Stem Cells and Knee Osteoarthritis: Orozco et al 2013
-Patients exhibited rapid and progressive improvement of pain and function approaching 65% to 78% by 1 year. Additionally 11 of 12 patients had improvement in cartilage scores as seen on MRI.
Stem Cell Safety in Osteoarthritis: Emadedin et al 2015
-There was no evidence of tumor or neoplastic changes in the patients during the 30-month follow-up period. All patients exhibited therapeutic benefits such as increased walking distance, decreased visual analog pain scale (VAS), and total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC) scores which were confirmed by MRI.
Stem Cell Safety and Long Term Follow Up: Wakitani et al. 2011
-Patients often are concerned about the potential risk of growing tumors after their stem cell procedures. At this time there are no reports of ever developing cancer from injections of stem cells into joints. In this study, patients who received stem cell treatments for osteoarthritis were followed for more then 10 years and no tumors or infections were found. The authors concluded “Autologous BMSC transplantation is a safe procedure and will be widely used around the world.”
Stem Cells in Rabbits with Osteoarthritis: Singh et al 2014
-Rabbits receiving stem cells showed a lower degree of cartilage degeneration, osteophyte formation, and subchondral sclerosis than the control group at 20 weeks post-operatively. The quality of cartilage was significantly better in the cell-treated group compared with the control group after 20 weeks.
Stem Cells “Home” to Areas of Arthritis and Repair It: Mokbel et al 2011
-23 donkeys had arthritis induced in their joints by injection of a chemical. Stem cells were taken from their bones and attached to fluorescent proteins. This was then injected with hyaluronic acid in the joint on one side and the plain hyaluronic acid was injected in the opposite side without stem cells. Both on clinical exam and imaging the joints treated with stem cells showed healing of the cartilage. On biopsy, the fluorescently tagged proteins were also found in the surface and the inside of the joint cartilage proving that stem cells are attracted to areas of injury from arthritis and also repair those areas.
Stem Cells Heal Arthritis in Animal Model: Jiang et al 2014
-Monkeys had osteoarthritis induced in their joints by a chemical injection that harmed the cartilage. Then stem cells were harvested from the monkeys and either salt water or stem cells were injected into the monkey’s joints. Upon clinical and radiologic examination the monkeys who received stem cell injections showed the arthritis was significantly improved and repaired by the stem cell injections but not the salt water.
Stem Cells better than Hyaluronic Acid Injections : Vega et al 2015
-Patients with knee arthritis were randomized to either a single stem cell injection or hyaluronic acid injection to the knee. They were then followed for one year. Patients after the stem cell showed greater improvements in knee function, pain and activity and on MRI showed the quality of their cartilage improved.
