95% success rate for End-Stage Knee Arthritis. Article Review.

Title: Examining the Long-Term Efficacy of Intra-Articular Injection of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Review

Article Reference: Christof Pabinger, Harald Lothaller, & Georg Stefan Kobinia. (Year not provided). “Intra-articular Injection of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (Mesenchymal Stem Cells) in KL Grade III and IV Knee Osteoarthritis: 4-Year Results of 37 Knees.”

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease affecting millions worldwide, characterized by cartilage degradation, inflammation, and pain. Traditional treatments aim to alleviate symptoms, yet often fall short of addressing the underlying pathology. In recent years, regenerative therapies, particularly mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, have emerged as promising alternatives. The study by Pabinger et al. delves into the long-term outcomes of intra-articular injection of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), a source of MSCs, in patients with advanced knee OA. Patient Age Range was 40- 90 years old.

Pabinger and colleagues present the results of a four-year follow-up study involving 37 knees with Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade III and IV knee OA. The study primarily aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BMAC injections in alleviating pain, improving function, and halting disease progression. Patients underwent a single intra-articular injection of BMAC, and outcomes were assessed using various measures, including the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and radiographic evaluation.

The study findings revealed promising outcomes over the four-year follow-up period. Patients experienced significant improvements in pain levels, functional capacity, and quality of life following BMAC injection. The VAS scores demonstrated a notable reduction in pain intensity, while WOMAC scores reflected enhanced physical function and reduced stiffness. Importantly, radiographic assessments indicated a halt in disease progression, with no further deterioration observed in joint structure over the study duration. Moreover, the treatment was well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported, indicating the safety profile of BMAC therapy. The most significant finding was that 95% of patients showed significant improvements in outcome measures, radiographs and walking distance.

The findings of this study contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy of BMAC therapy in knee OA management. The sustained improvements in pain relief, functional outcomes, and disease stabilization underscore the potential of MSC-based interventions as a viable treatment option for advanced knee OA. Furthermore, the favorable safety profile of BMAC injections suggests its feasibility as a minimally invasive and low-risk therapeutic approach.

In conclusion, the study by Pabinger et al. provides valuable insights into the long-term efficacy and safety of intra-articular BMAC injections in patients with KL grade III and IV knee OA. The sustained clinical benefits, including pain reduction, functional improvement, and disease stabilization, highlight the potential of MSC therapy as a promising avenue in the management of knee OA. Further research, including large-scale randomized controlled trials, is warranted to validate these findings and elucidate the optimal treatment protocols for maximizing the therapeutic outcomes of BMAC therapy in knee OA patients.

More and more studies are coming out proving what we already know. Regenerative medicine may be the best option to not only improve osteoarthritis symptoms long term but also prevent it from getting worse by addressing the root cause (damaged cartilage).

At Orthobiologics Associates we have helped 1000’s of knee pain sufferers live pain free fully functional lives.

Call us at 877-381-4200 for a complimentary case review