Mesenchymal stem cell therapy combined with arthroscopic abrasion arthroplasty regenerates cartilage in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis: a case series.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC) therapy in combination with arthroscopic abrasion arthroplasty (AAA) in advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA). 27 patients with Grade IV OA of the knee underwent AAA and ADMSC therapy (50 × 10 ADMSCs at baseline and 6 months). Clinical outcome was assessed over 36 months. Structural change was determined using MRI. Treatment was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. Clinically significant improvements in pain and function were observed. Reproducible hyaline-like cartilage regeneration was seen in all participants. ADMSC therapy combined with AAA in Grade IV OA results in reproducible pain, functional and structural improvements. This represents a joint preservation technique for patients with advanced OA of the knee. ACTRN12617000638336.