Stem Cell Research: Osteoarthritis

We take a look at what the research actually tells us about Stem Cells treating Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is one of the conditions with the most research behind it, looking at how stem cells can treat it. We break down each study in simple terms. We know there’s a lot to go through! Each study has a summary of the results and our conclusions sums all of the data up if it’s all too much to read.

For Knee Osteoarthritis specifically, we have another research page breaking down all the latest trials.

If you want to know more about how Clinics use Stem Cells to treat arthritis, check out our article on Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis.

Previous Studies looking at Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis

Here we break down the latest trials for Stem Cells treating Osteoarthritis, excluding ones that are looking specifically at knee osteoarthritis. We have a separate article breaking down Knee studies specifically.

Stem Cell Therapy for Orthopedic Conditions: Multiple Medical Centers in Pakistan: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

The full study was published on Pubmed where you can read more.

This study tested whether stem cell therapy  could reduce symptoms in people with orthopedic conditions, specifically osteoarthritis and bone defects.

The goal was to assess how well it works and safety of stem cell therapy for these conditions.This was a retrospective cross-sectional study (a study that looks back at existing medical records from a single point in time to assess current characteristics), meaning it was designed to evaluate real-world outcomes from routine clinical care.

 It was led by researchers at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, and Dar As Sihha Medical Center in Pakistan.

RESULTS SUMMARY
• Significant improvements were seen in pain and function for patients with osteoarthritis and bone defects.

• Researchers believe stem cells helped by sending healing signals that reduce inflammation and by differentiating into specialized cells to repair tissue.

• Out of 50 participants, 28% reported adverse events (side effects), and 8% experienced serious adverse events (major side effects).

Participants:

• 50 adults with osteoarthritis or bone defects.
• Inclusion criteria: Individuals with a documented diagnosis of osteoarthritis or bone defects who had received stem cell therapy.
• 50 patients completed the six-month follow-up.
  

Procedure:

• Delivery Method: The treatment was given as intra-articular injections (injections directly into a joint).
• Cell Type & Source: Autologous (from the patient’s own body) mesenchymal stem cells were used. These cells were derived from either adipose tissue (body fat) or bone marrow
• Dosage: Specific dosages were not detailed in the article, but preparation and administration followed standardized hospital protocols.

Key Results:

• Joint Function (Primary Efficacy Endpoint):
  • Improvements in pain and function were assessed using the
    • Visual Analog Scale (VAS): A scale used to measure pain intensity
    • Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC): A questionnaire that assesses pain, stiffness, and physical function
    • X Ray Imaging used for Bone Defects
  • The mean VAS score significantly decreased from 7.4 to 5.2 at the six-month follow-up (p < 0.05, indicating statistical significance, meaning the result is unlikely to have occurred by chance).
  • The mean WOMAC score significantly decreased from 56.8 to 41.2 at the six-month follow-up (p < 0.05), demonstrating notable functional improvement (better movement and activity).
• Safety
  • Seven participants (28%) reported any adverse events (side effects).
  • Two participants (8%) experienced serious adverse events (major side effects).
  • The occurrence of adverse events was statistically significant (p < 0.05), highlighting their impact on safety outcomes.

How Cells Worked

The researchers believe the stem cells helped by their regenerative and immunomodulatory (ability to adjust the body’s immune system) properties. They propose:

• Stem cells can promote cartilage regeneration (regrowth of cartilage), enhance bone healing, and mitigate inflammation (reduce swelling and irritation).
• Stem cells, characterized by their ability to self-renew (make copies of themselves) and differentiate (change into specialized cells) into various cell types, have the potential to repair damaged tissues and promote healing.

What we don’t know

• The retrospective design (looking back at existing data) relied on existing medical records, which may have been subject to selection bias (errors in choosing participants that can affect study results) and incomplete data capture.
• There was no control group or placebo group for direct comparison with standard treatments.

Conclusion

• This study shows that stem cell therapy holds promise for treating orthopedic conditions like osteoarthritis and bone defects.
• It demonstrates efficacy  in pain management and functional improvement
• Safety considerations, including reported adverse events, warrant further investigation and optimization of treatment protocols (refining the detailed plans for giving the treatment).
  

Best Stem Cell Therapy clinics for Osteoarthritis

We don’t let any clinic just sign up or pay to be listed.

We speak to every clinic directly and review their medical team, the treatments they offer, how their stem cells are sourced and how they follow up with patients after treatment.

We also review licensing documents to confirm they meet the legal and medical standards of the country they operate in. For example, whether cells are processed in a GMP-certified facility or if they provide documentation on stem cell quality.

Clinics must also agree to let us collect and publish independent patient reviews. Both positive and negative.

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Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics for Osteoarthritis

Vetted Clinics Autologous & Umbilical Cord Derived Stem Cells Certified Labs

We’ve vetted Stem Cell Therapy clinics Globally who treat Osteoarthritis. Information on their processes, standards they follow & prices are on their profiles.

Compare Clinics Globally

Lipogems for Shoulder Osteoarthritis (Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis, GOA): Italy

You can read more about the study on the Journal of Personalized Medicine (MDPI) website.

This clinical study aimed to test the effectiveness of Lipogems, a stem cell-rich treatment made from the patient’s own fat (micro-fragmented adipose tissue), in people with shoulder osteoarthritis. Specifically the ball-and-socket joint, not the rotator cuff.

The goal was to see if Lipogems could reduce pain, improve shoulder function and delay the need for shoulder replacement surgery.

RESULTS SUMMARY
• A single Lipogems injection significantly improved shoulder pain, range of motion and daily function in patients with GOA.

• No major complications were reported.

• Researchers believe Lipogems worked by reducing inflammation and improving the joint environment rather than regenerating new cartilage.

• Participants: 65 patients, ages 34–73 (average age 54), with mild-to-moderate shoulder osteoarthritis.
• Sites: Conducted at IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria (Negrar, Italy) and affiliated institutions.
• Follow-up: Patients were tracked for 36 months (3 years).

Procedure:

• A small amount of fat (~60 mL) was taken from the abdomen under local anesthesia.
  
• The fat was processed using the Lipogems® system, which gently breaks it into micro-fragments and washes away unwanted oil and blood without enzymes or chemicals.
  
• The resulting product (7 mL Lipogems) was injected into the shoulder joint under ultrasound guidance.
  
• All patients began shoulder mobility and strengthening exercises soon after.

Full Results:

• Primary Outcomes:
  • Constant–Murley Score (Function & Pain, measures how well your shoulder works and how much it hurts.):
    Improved from 73.7 at baseline to 84.6 at 36 months (p < 0.0001).
    
  • Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain:
    Decreased from 5.6 (baseline) to 3.3 at 36 months (p < 0.0001).
    
  • Simple Shoulder Test (SST, measures how well your shoulder works by asking 12 easy yes-or-no questions.):
    Improved from 8.2 (baseline) to 10.2 at 36 months (p < 0.0001).
    
• Patient Satisfaction (SANE):
  • 83% (54 patients) rated their shoulder ≥80% of normal (completely satisfied).
  • 9% rated their results as adequate (60–80%).
  • 8% were unsatisfied (≤60%).
    

How Lipogems Worked (Researcher’s View):

• Reducing inflammation in the shoulder joint.
• Delivering healing molecules (cytokines and growth factors) from adipose-derived stem cells and pericytes.
• Supporting local joint health to reduce pain and improve mobility, rather than regrowing cartilage.

Adverse Events:

• No major complications or serious adverse events were reported.
• Patients recovered quickly, and only mild discomfort or swelling at the fat harvest site was noted.

Conclusion:

• This study shows that Lipogems is a safe, minimally invasive option for shoulder osteoarthritis.
• It can significantly reduce pain and improve shoulder function for at least 3 years, especially in patients with mild-to-moderate disease. 
• While it does not regenerate cartilage, it offers an effective way to delay or avoid shoulder replacement surgery in suitable patients.

 

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate for Thumb Osteoarthritis: France

You can read more about this study in Hand Surgery & Rehabilitation (Elsevier).

This clinical study tested the use of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) to help people with thumb osteoarthritis (also known as rhizarthrosis). This condition affects the base joint of the thumb and is common in adults over 50.

The goal was to see if a single injection of BMAC could reduce pain, improve thumb function, and delay the need for surgery.

RESULTS SUMMARY
• A single BMAC injection significantly reduced pain and improved thumb mobility and function.

• No complications were reported.

RESULTS SUMMARY
• A single BMAC injection significantly reduced pain and improved thumb mobility and function.

• No complications were reported.

2024 Review on Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Hip Osteoarthritis: Italy

The full review was published on Pubmed where you can read it in more detail.

What They Looked At

The researchers analyzed 10 clinical studies involving 316 patients with hip osteoarthritis who received intra-articular MSC injections. These included:

• 1 prospective case-control study (a study that follows participants forward in time and compares outcomes between a group receiving treatment and a control group)
• 2 prospective cohort studies (studies that follow a group of individuals forward in time to see how a treatment affects them)
• 6 retrospective case reports or series (studies that look back at past cases, either individual patients or a small group)
• All patients had hip osteoarthritis that had not responded to non-surgical treatments.
  

What They Wanted to Find Out

• What is the effectiveness of intra-articular MSC injections in improving pain, function, and cartilage repair for patients with hip OA?
• How safe are intra-articular MSC injections for Hip OA?

​​What They Found

1. Effectiveness
   • The studies consistently showed improvements in hip functional scores, indicating better mobility and quality of life for patients.
   • Patients reported significant pain relief, measured using various pain scores such as:
     •  WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index)
     • VAS (visual analogue scale)
     • NRS (numeric rating system)
   • There were observations of cartilage repair and improvements in radiographic findings, suggesting potential regenerative properties of MSCs on damaged cartilage.
   • Some studies also noted improvements in walking distance and range of motion.
2. Mechanism of Action
   • MSCs contribute to cartilage repair by differentiating into chondrocytes (cartilage-forming cells).
   • They also reduce inflammation, promote angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), and release growth factors and cytokines (cell-signaling proteins), creating a beneficial environment for tissue healing.
   • While some studies used MSCs with other therapies like PRP or hyaluronic acid the primary mechanism of action for tissue repair is largely attributed to the stem cells themselves. PRP, for example, is thought to create a supportive environment for MSCs.
3. Safety
   • Very few adverse events were reported and no severe adverse events
   • One study reported a hematoma (a collection of blood outside blood vessels, like a bruise) at the donor site which resolved without specific treatment.
   • Another study noted temporary joint pain, which also resolved on its own.
   • The low rate of complications suggests that MSC-based therapy in hip OA is generally safe.
4. Limitations in the Studies Reviewed
   • There was a limited number of high-quality clinical studies available and the overall quality of the included studies was low.
   • Most studies lacked control groups making it difficult to definitively say whether the observed improvements were solely due to the MSCs or other factors like a placebo effect. Only one study included a control group.
   • There was significant differences across the studies in terms of the source of MSCs (e.g., bone marrow, fat tissue), the dosage used, the methods of administration and how the cells were processed, which could affect the results.
   • Most studies had relatively short follow-up periods, meaning long-term safety and effectiveness of MSC therapy for hip OA could not be fully assessed.
   • In two studies, additional therapies were used alongside MSCs, which could have acted as confounding factors (additional variables that might have influenced the outcomes), making it hard to isolate the specific effects of MSCs.

What They Concluded

Intra-articular MSC injections show significant promise as an effective and safe way to manage hip osteoarthritis.

Before intra-articular MSC injections become a standard option for hip osteoarthritis, we need:

• Further rigorous, high-level controlled studies with larger numbers of patients and longer follow-up durations.
• More research to determine the optimal way to use MSCs, including the best cell source, dosage, timing, and administration methods.
• Comprehensive assessments of potential long-term risks, such as tumor formation, immunogenicity and the durability of the regenerative effects.
• Addressing challenges related to scalability, standardization and regulatory considerations to make this therapy widely accessible.

2024 Review on Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy for Hip Osteoarthritis: USA

The full review was published on Pubmed where you can read more about it.

What They Looked At:

The researchers analyzed 7 clinical studies involving 72 patients with hip osteoarthritis who received bone-marrow derived stem cell therapy.

These included:

•  5 cohort studies (studies that follow a group of participants over time)
• 2 retrospective case reports or series (studies that look back at past cases of individual patients)
• All patients had hip osteoarthritis that was defined by X-ray images and didn’t respond to standard treatments.

What They Wanted to Find Out

• What is the standard way to prepare and administer bone-marrow derived stem cell therapy for hip osteoarthritis?
• Is there a dose-response  relationship between BM-MSC therapy and patient outcomes?
• Does BM-MSC therapy by itself effectively improve clinical outcomes for hip osteoarthritis?

What They Found

1. Effectiveness
   • All studies reported improvements in pain and functional ability. 
   • These improvements were measured using various patient-reported scores, including:
     • The Numerical Pain Scale  (a scale where patients rate their pain numerically), -Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (a questionnaire assessing pain, stiffness, and physical function)
     • Visual Analogue Scale (a line where patients mark their pain level)
     • Harris Hip Score and modified HHS (scores measuring hip function and pain)
     • The Short Form-12  (a general health questionnaire)
     • Pain Disability and Quality of Life Questionnaire and a lower extremity functional scale.
   • Two studies also showed some imaging results, with one reporting articular cartilage repair in 60% of patients. 
   • However, improvements were generally consistent only in the short-term, with some studies showing reduced effects after 12 months.
2. Mechanism of Action
   • The review primarily focused on their application and outcomes rather than exactly how the stem cells worked.
3. Safety
   • Safety findings were generally positive.
   • Five of the seven studies reported no side effects.
   • The remaining two studies mentioned only minor side effects such as temporary hip discomfort, redness at the injection site, or a skin rash at the injection site.
   • No significant or serious adverse reactions were reported across any of the studies reviewed.
4. Limitations in the Studies Reviewed
   • There were very few studies specifically looking at bone-marrow derived stem cells for hip osteoarthritis, leading to small sample sizes (ranging from 4 to 20 patients per study).
   • Some studies included patients with other joint problems (like knee osteoarthritis) in their analysis, making it difficult to isolate the effects purely on the hip.
   • The length of time patients were followed after treatment varied greatly, with some studies having very short follow-up periods, making it hard to assess long-term effects.
   • There was a risk of bias in some studies due to lack of clear reporting of patient demographics or failure to assess for confounding variables
   • Methods for preparing the stem cells, such as whether they were grown in a lab or injected directly, differed across studies.
   • All studies that reported dosage used what is considered "low dose" injections, meaning the optimal number of cells for treatment is still unknown.
     

What They Concluded

The review concluded that bone-marrow derived stem cell therapy alone appears beneficial for hip osteoarthritis, showing improvements in clinical outcomes in the short-term.

However, due to the small amount of studies, and variations in treatment preparation and dosage, we can’t draw more definite conclusions.

Before BM-MSC therapy becomes a standard option for hip osteoarthritis, we need:

• Longer-term studies to understand the lasting effects.
• Research using higher dosages of BM-MSCs to determine if a dose-response exists and what the optimal dose might be.

Conclusion

Most osteoarthritis stem cell research focuses on the knee, with additional studies on the hip, shoulder and thumb. 

Adipose-derived stem cells (from fat) are the most commonly tested, followed by bone marrow-derived cells, while umbilical cord-derived cells are promising but less studied.

Results across trials show:

• Consistent pain reduction and improved joint function (mobility).
• Slower progression of joint damage in some studies.
• Cartilage regrowth remains rare and inconsistent.
  

How they work:
Looking at all of the data, Stem cells do not necessarily become new cartilage or bone. Instead, they improve the joint environment by sending healing signals (paracrine effects) that reduce inflammation and support tissue repair.

Safety:
Trials consistently report a strong safety profile with no serious side effects. However, real-world clinics may not follow the same strict protocols used in these studies.

Bottom line:
Stem cell therapy shows promise for osteoarthritis, but results are mixed and methods vary widely. However, it is one of the most widely studied conditions for Stem Cell Therapy.  If you're considering treatment, be aware that outcomes can differ and nothing’s guaranteed!