Treatment of Grade 3 and 4 Osteoarthritis with Intraoperatively Separated Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction: A Comparative Case Series.

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis of the joints. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is a regenerative cell population that can be isolated from adipose tissue. It is the immunomodulatory properties of the stromal vascular fraction that make it a promising candidate for the regenerative treatment of OA. Patients with grade 3 and 4 osteoarthritis were treated with the stromal vascular fraction with and without platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and followed up on their Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) score for 12 months, with MRI and subjective evaluation of the procedure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a widening of the joint space, a restructuring of the cartilage, and an alleviation of effusions in the treated joints. In three of the four treatment groups, a substantial improvement of the KOOS scores was documented at the 12-month follow-up time point. According to the subjective evaluation, 67% of the patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure and would recommend it to others. No serious adverse events or unwanted side effects related to the SVF treatment were observed or reported. Prior to an invasive artificial joint replacement, the treatment of arthritic knee joints with the intraarticular injection of autologous adipose tissue-derived SVF should be considered a regenerative treatment option.

Evidence level

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

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