Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of repeated doses of
Leucocyte-poor Platelet-rich Plasma combined with Hyaluronic Acid and single dose of
Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells injections. It was hypothesised that Adipose
Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells could be superior to Leucocyte-poor Platelet-rich
Plasma + Hyaluronic Acid for the treatment of early knee Osteoarthritis at 12 months
follow-up.

Methods

Eighty knees in fifty patients (mean age: 61.3 years, range 40-80) with early knee
osteoarthritis were allocated into two groups from November 2016 to December 2017.
The group 1 composed of 40 knees were treated with three intra-articular injections (1
month apart) using autologous Leucocyte-poor Platelet Rich Plasma combined with
Hyaluronic Acid and the group 2 composed of 40 knees were treated with a single
dose of Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell injection by supra-patellar approach.
Outcomes were measured by PROMs Tegner, Marx, VAS, IKDC and KOOS.

Results

All patients in both groups lead to clinical and functional improvement at 6 and 12
months. However, there is statistical significance evidence in favor of ADMSCs
(Lipogems) only for the case of Tegner and KOOS Symptoms at 6 months and for
Tegner at 12 months of follow-up.

Conclusion

This study shows both groups lead to clinical and functional improvement at 6 and 12
months. ADMSCs (Lipogems) showed better clinical results in Tegner and KOOS
Symptoms at 6 months and for Tegner at 12 months of follow-up. This finding will aid
clinicians to analyse the cost versus benefit ratio and help them to formulate an
algorithm when treating patients with early osteoarthritis.