Intra-Articular Cellular Therapy for Osteoarthritis and Focal Cartilage Defects of the Knee: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Study Quality Analysis
This study evaluates the current literature on the safety and efficacy of intra-articular cellular therapy injections. For patients with osteoarthritis or focal cartilage defects, intra-articular cellular therapy is appealing in that it may help with cartilage regeneration. The current study reviewed 6 studies for various outcomes. The common thread of the studies reporting intra-articular cellular therapy injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis and focal cartilage defects in the knee was positive clinical outcomes and no major adverse events. However, the improvement was modest, and the authors note that a placebo effect cannot be disregarded. The authors also reported there is significant variability in the way these injections were prepared and administered. To conclude, the authors stated the benefits of cellular therapy injections has not yet been established. More clinic trials examining their benefits are needed for clarity.