Knee Surg Relat Res.  2018 Sep;30(3):206-214. 10.5792/ksrr.17.201.

Intra-Articular Injection of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Leading to Better Clinical Outcomes without Difference in MRI Outcomes from Baseline in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

• Shin YS
• Yoon JR
• Kim HS
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2420346
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5792/ksrr.17.201

Abstract

PURPOSE
Bone marrow (BM) is frequently used as a source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) because they have a high potential for differentiation. However, it is unclear whether BM-derived MSCs lead to better clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes postoperatively.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This meta-analysis compared the clinical and MRI outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) treated with BM-derived MSCs. Eight studies comparing the clinical and MRI outcomes assessed with various measurement tools in patients with knee OA treated with BM-derived MSCs were included.
RESULTS
The range of motion (95% confidence interval [CI], −13.05 to 4.24; p=0.32) and MRI outcomes (95% CI, −0.16 to 1.40; p=0.12) did not differ significantly between the baseline and final follow-up. In contrast, pain (95% CI, 0.89 to 1.87; p < 0.001) and functional outcomes (95% CI, 0.70 to 2.07; p < 0.001) were significantly improved at the final follow-up when compared to the baseline.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis found no significant difference in the tested range of motion and MRI outcomes between the baseline and the final follow-up in patients treated with BM-derived MSCs, whereas significant functional improvement and pain relief were noted when compared with the baseline. Thus, BM-derived MSCs appear to be a viable alternative for patients with knee OA, although long-term and high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the clinical benefits.

Keyword

Knee; Osteoarthritis; Bone marrow; Mesenchymal stem cells; Meta-analysis

MeSH Terms

Bone Marrow
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Injections, Intra-Articular*
Knee*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells*
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, Knee*
Range of Motion, Articular