SVF
Level A· Stronger Clinical EvidenceSystematic Review

Intra-articular adipose-derived cell therapies for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Batista JD., Silva LD., Batista JD., Pereira GS., da Silva ML.

Systematic Review on Knee Osteoarthritis, Osteoarthritis, Cartilage Damage, published in Front Med (Lausanne) (2026) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.

This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.

Study type
Systematic Review
Journal
Front Med (Lausanne) (2026)
Country
Switzerland
Reported sample size
—
PMID
42100287
DOI
10.3389/fmed.2026.1771008

Abstract (original English)

Knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain, functional limitation, and disability worldwide, imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden. Despite advances in conservative management and intra-articular therapies, many patients experience limited or transient symptomatic relief, underscoring the need for biologically based interventions. Intra-articular adipose-derived cell therapies, including adipose-derived mesenchymal stem or stromal cells (ADSCs), stromal vascular fraction (SVF), and microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT), have emerged as regenerative strategies aimed at modulating inflammation and joint homeostasis. This systematic review evaluated the efficacy, structural effects, and safety of intra-articular adipose-derived cell-based therapies for knee osteoarthritis in adults. Randomized controlled trials published between 2015 and 2025 were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eligible studies compared ADSCs, SVF, or MFAT with placebo, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma, corticosteroids, or conservative care, and reported outcomes on pain, function, imaging-based structural changes, and safety. Nineteen randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria. Across studies, adipose-derived interventions, particularly ADSC-based therapies, produced clinically meaningful reductions in pain and improvements in

What this study does not prove

  • • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.

Evidence level

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

How we grade evidence
KneeKnee OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritisCartilage Damage
View on PubMedDOI

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