Intra-articular Injection (IAI) of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cells
Intra-articular injection (IAI) of cellular therapy and stem cells is a treatment for knee osteoarthritis that aims to relieve pain, improve motor function, and stimulate cartilage regeneration34.
Efficacy
- A study evaluating the effects and safety of intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells on patients with knee osteoarthritis showed that it can effectively relieve pain and improve motor function3.
- Additional research has revealed significantly higher improvements in pain relief, functional improvement, and enhanced quality of life in patients who received the stem cell therapy versus a control group2.
- MRI evaluations have demonstrated significant improvements in structural changes in knee osteoarthritis for up to 3 years after a single injection1.
- Stem cell therapy is more effective in the early to moderate stages of osteoarthritis, when some cartilage remains, allowing regeneration and repair7.
Safety
- IA injection of autologous, culture-expanded, high-dose ADMSCs is a safe treatment1.
- A phase III clinical trial reported no serious treatment-related adverse events2.
- One study found the proportion of patients with adverse events in the MSCs treatment group was significantly higher than in the control group3.
Overall, intra-articular injection (IAI) of stem cells is a safe and effective way to relieve pain and improve motor function for those with knee osteoarthritis35.
