TREATMENT OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS WITH MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS ARTHROSCOPY AND PHYSIOTHERAPY: EVALUATION WITH SF-36

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic degenerative joint disease, significantly impacts quality of life (QoL) and poses economic burdens, especially as aging populations grow. While no therapy fully regenerates cartilage, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) offer a promising treatment for the condition. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate effects of arthroscopically administered MSC therapy in conjunction with an 8-week standard physiotherapy regimen for patients with knee OA. Material and methods: This monocentric clinical study involved 35 patients with knee OA (aged 45-65 years, of both genders), who treated with arthroscopy and MSC. Health status was assessed pre- and post-treatment using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Additionally, the influence of age and gender on treatment efficacy was analyzed to understand demographic impacts on therapeutic response. Results: The average SF-36 score after treatment among male patients demonstrated better condition compared to female patients across individual concepts or domains, and overall SF-36 score. The best condition of 100% according to the SF-36 score after treatment was found among males for the role limitations due to physical health and role limitations due to emotional problems. Among females, these domains also represented best post-treatment condition, with half of them achieving SF-36 scores of 100%. Younger age was significantly associated with better outcomes across all SF-36 concepts. Conclusion: The results of the study highlight the potential of MSC arthroscopy in combination with physiotherapy, in managing knee OA in this group of subjects. To better understand long-term effects and optimize treatment, larger-scale randomized controlled trials are necessary.