The Effect of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of patients with mild to moderate arthroscopically confirmed osteoarthritis between the following two groups: 1. Partial fat pad harvest with Adipose-Derived Stem Cell (ADSC) transplantation with standard arthroscopic treatment consisting of: partial meniscectomy, cartilage stabilization, loose body removal and selective synovectomy. 2. Standard arthroscopic treatment (above) without cell transplant.
• Age between 35 and 70 years-old
• Patient is scheduled to undergo one or a combination of the following procedures:
‣ Meniscal debridement or partial menisectomy
⁃ Meniscal repair that does not necessitate a different postoperative protocol from meniscal debridement or partial menisectomy
⁃ Removal of loose bodies
⁃ Chondroplasty
⁃ Synovectomy
⁃ Soft tissue releases for flexion or extension contracture.
• Diagnosis of pre-existing mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the medial or lateral femoral condyle (Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 2 or 3)
• \< 6 months of knee pain or \< 6 months of a significant exacerbation of existing knee pain
• Physical examination findings consistent with the proposed surgical procedure.
• Failure of conservative therapy consisting of a minimum of 6 weeks of physical therapy and trial of anti-inflammatory medications, with or without concomitant bracing and/or injections