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Significance Statement
Osteoarthritis of the knee is the most common form of arthritis that cause pain, stiffness, and decreased function, and one of leading causes of disability. Stromal vascular fraction containing large amount of stem cells and other regenerative cells, can be easily obtained from loose connective tissue that is associated with adipose tissue. The authors concluded from this clinical study that Adipose-derived stem cell therapy for patients with knee osteoarthritis might be effective in reducing pain, and improving function. Therefore, adipose-derived stem cell treatment appears to be a good option for osteoarthritis treatment.
Journal Reference
Fodor PB, Paulseth SG.
Dr Fodor is an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
Dr Paulseth is an Adjunct Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
This safety and feasibility study used autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular cells (the stromal vascular fraction [SVF] of adipose tissue), to treat 8 osteoarthritic knees in 6 patients of grade I to III (K-L scale) with initial pain of 4 or greater on a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
OBJECTIVES:
The primary objective of the study was evaluation of the safety of intra-articular injection of SVF. The secondary objective was to assess initial feasibility for reduction of pain in osteoarthritic knees.
METHODS:
Adipose-derived SVF cells were obtained through enzymatic disaggregation of lipoaspirate, resuspension in 3 mL of Lactated Ringer’s Solution, and injection directly into the intra-articular space of the knee, with a mean of 14.1 million viable, nucleated SVF cells per knee. Metrics included monitoring of adverse events and preoperative to postoperative changes in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), the VAS pain scale, range of motion (ROM), timed up-and-go (TUG), and MRI.
RESULTS:
No infections, acute pain flares, or other adverse events were reported. At 3-months postoperative, there was a statistically significant improvement in WOMAC and VAS scores (P < .02 and P < .001, respectively), which was maintained at 1 year. Physical therapy measurements for ROM and TUG both improved from preoperative to 3-months postoperative. Standard MRI assessment from preoperative to 3-months postoperative showed no detectable structural differences. All patients attained full activity with decreased knee pain.
CONCLUSIONS:
Autologous SVF was shown to be safe and to present a new potential therapy for reduction of pain for osteoarthritis of the knee.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
4 Therapeutic.
© 2015 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.
Go To Aesthet Surg J.