In patients with knee osteoarthritis, a single injection of total stromal cells and platelet-rich plasma lessens pain while enhancing  physical function and cartilage thickness.

The purpose of a single-blind randomized clinical trial was to examine the effects of a single intra-articular injection of autologous total stromal cells (TSC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on osteoarthritis knee pain, general physical function, and articular cartilage thickness.

The American College of Rheumatology criteria was used to diagnose knee osteoarthritis, and patients were then randomized to treatment (TSC and PRP) and control groups. The primary knee osteoarthritis score was determined using the Kallgreen-Lawrance (KL) scoring method. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) for physical function, the medial femoral condylar cartilage (MFC) thickness (millimetres) under ultrasonogram, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, 0–10 cm) for pain were recorded and contrasted between groups prior to and post-treatment.

Data analysis was done. With the aid of the Mann-Whitney U-test, inter-group differences were compared. The Wilcoxon-sign test was used for estimating pre- and post-intervention outcomes. A p-value of <0.05 was regarded as clinically meaningful.

Overall, 15 subjects in the treatment group were given intra-articular TSC and PRP preparation, while 15 individuals in the control group underwent quadriceps-strengthening exercises instead of receiving an injection. VAS for pain, WOMAC physical function, and cartilage thickness prior to and 2 weeks post-intervention did not significantly differ between the groups. After 12 and 24 weeks of therapy, the treatment group's VAS for pain and WOMAC physical function scores remarkably improved.

A profound difference was witnessed in the groups' pain and physical function scores. The mean femoral cartilage thickness did not alter considerably for either the right or left knee until the end of 24 weeks (U=175.00, p=0.009 two-tailed and U=130.00, p=0.016 two-tailed, respectively). While improvement in physical function and pain occurred earlier, alteration in cartilage thickness took more time.

With no noticeable adverse events, an intra-articular autologous adipose-tissue-derived stromal cell improves knee osteoarthritis symptoms, functional ability, and articular cartilage thickness.