The Effects of Ultrasound-guided Corticosteroid Injection Compared to Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection in Patients with Grade II and III Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Double-blind Controlled Trial.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of a single dose injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) under ultrasound guidance for knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Design: The study included 30 subjects in the intervention group, who received the MSC injection and 27 in the control group who received triamcinolone. Various outcome measures, including pain levels, range of motion (ROM), and MRI parameters, were evaluated before the intervention and at different time points after treatment.

Result: The results showed that the MSC group experienced more effective improvements in outcome measures compared to the control group. Pain improvement was significantly different in the MSC group at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 24 weeks after the treatment. ROM in extension improved significantly in the MSC group after 4 weeks. Physical function improved significantly in both groups at different time points. Furthermore, the MSC group showed some positive changes in MRI parameters, but it can't be said definitively that they led to an increase in cartilage thickness.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the study suggests that a single dose injection of MSCs is safe and holds promise for long-term treatment of KOA. No significant negative effects were reported in either group as a result of the study.