Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Corticosteroid Injection Compared to Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection in Patients With Grade II and III Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective This study investigated the effects of a single dose injection of mesenchymal stem cells under ultrasound guidance for knee osteoarthritis. Design The study included 30 subjects in the intervention group, who received the mesenchymal stem cell injection and 27 in the control group who received triamcinolone. Various outcome measures, including pain levels, range of motion, and magnetic resonance imaging parameters, were evaluated before the intervention and at different time points after treatment. Result The results showed that the mesenchymal stem cell group experienced more effective improvements in outcome measures compared to the control group. Pain improvement was significantly different in the mesenchymal stem cell group at 2 wks, 4 wks, and 24 wks after the treatment. Range of motion in extension improved significantly in the mesenchymal stem cell group after 4 wks. Physical function improved significantly in both groups at different time points. Furthermore, the mesenchymal stem cell group showed some positive changes in magnetic resonance imaging parameters, but it cannot be said definitively that they led to an increase in cartilage thickness. Conclusions The study suggests that a single dose injection of mesenchymal stem cells is safe and holds promise for long-term treatment of knee osteoarthritis. No significant negative effects were reported in either group as a result of the study.