Ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of expanded umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in knee osteoarthritis: a safety/efficacy study with MRI data

Aim: This study has the primary objective of studying the effect of Wharton jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. As a secondary end point, we report on the efficacy of such therapy. Patients and methods: 16 patients with advanced Kellgren stage were treated using two doses of expanded WJMSCs given 1 month apart. Patients were followed for 48 months using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and 12 months using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Treatment was well tolerated. One patient developed moderate effusion and one superficial phlebitis. We observed functional and pain improvement at 12 and 48 months (p < 0.0001), with statistically significant improvement on MRI scans at 12 months in cartilage loss, osteophytes, bone marrow lesions, effusion and synovitis (p < 0.01), and highly significant improvement in subchondral sclerosis (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: WJMSCs are safe and potentially effective in producing significant improvement in KOOS and MRI scores when administered intra-articularly in knee osteoarthritis cases under ultrasound guidance.