title: Clinical results and second-look arthroscopic findings after treatment with adipose-derived stem cells for knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, the clinical outcomes and second-look arthroscopic findings of intra-articular injection of stem cells with arthroscopic lavage for treatment of elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stem cell injections combined with arthroscopic lavage were administered to 30 elderly patients (≥65 years) with knee OA. Subcutaneous adipose tissue was harvested from both buttocks by liposuction. After stromal vascular fractions were isolated, a mean of 4.04 × 10(6) stem cells (9.7 % of 4.16 × 10(7) stromal vascular fraction cells) were prepared and injected in the selected knees of patients after arthroscopic lavage. Outcome measures included the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores, visual analog scale, and Lysholm score at preoperative and 3-, 12-, and 2-year follow-up visits. Sixteen patients underwent second-look arthroscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost all patients showed significant improvement in all clinical outcomes at the final follow-up examination. All clinical results significantly improved at 2-year follow-up compared to 12-month follow-up (P < 0.05). Among elderly patients aged >65 years, only five patients demonstrated worsening of Kellgren-Lawrence grade. On second-look arthroscopy, 87.5 % of elderly patients (14/16) improved or maintained cartilage status at least 2 years postoperatively. Moreover, none of the patients underwent total knee arthroplasty during this 2-year period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adipose-derived stem cell therapy for elderly patients with knee OA was effective in cartilage healing, reducing pain, and improving function. Therefore, adipose-derived stem cell treatment appears to be a good option for OA treatment in elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic case series study, Level IV.
authors: Center for Stem Cell and Arthritis Research, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei Sarang Hospital, 478-3, Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Yong-Gon
authors: YG
authors: Koh
authors: Center for Stem Cell and Arthritis Research, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei Sarang Hospital, 478-3, Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea. yunjinchoi78@gmail.com.
authors: Yun-Jin
authors: YJ
authors: Choi
authors: Center for Stem Cell and Arthritis Research, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei Sarang Hospital, 478-3, Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Sae-Kwang
authors: SK
authors: Kwon
authors: Center for Stem Cell and Arthritis Research, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei Sarang Hospital, 478-3, Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Yong-Sang
authors: YS
authors: Kim
authors: Center for Stem Cell and Arthritis Research, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei Sarang Hospital, 478-3, Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Jee-Eun
authors: JE
authors: Yeo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D024162:Second-Look Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome