Intra-articular injection of photo-activated platelet-rich plasma in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized controlled pilot study.

Background: Improvements in knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been attributed to its ability to modify intra-articular inflammatory processes. Photo-activation of peripheral blood also improves inflammatory mediators associated with OA, however combined photo-activated PRP (PA-PRP) has not been investigated. This pilot study assessed the feasibility, safety and symptomatic and functional change following injections of PA-PRP compared to hyaluronic acid (HA) in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Cell therapy in joint disorders.

Context: Articular cartilage possesses poor natural healing mechanisms, and a variety of non-cell-based and cell-based treatments aim to promote regeneration of hyaline cartilage.

Data Sources: A review of the literature to December 2013 using PubMed with search criteria including the keywords stem cell, cell therapy, cell transplantation, cartilage, chondral, and chondrogenic.

Study Selection: Forty-five articles were identified that employed local mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for joint disorders in humans.