Many doctors and leading medical research centers and universities, use stem cell therapy as a stand-alone or part of a comprehensive treatment program for musculoskeletal injuries and other orthopedic conditions. Stem cell therapy is the therapeutic use of a type of specialized cell that can develop or “differentiate” into the different types of cells, required for orthopedic repair: such as muscle, bone, or cartilage.

The theory behind stem cell therapy

In addition to their ability to change into different cells, or differentiate, stem cells may enhance communications between cells or send signals as messengers to activate local cells to call on the immune system to begin repair of damaged or weakened tissue.

While research has shown promise and advancement in the use of stem cell therapies to treat a myriad of conditions, there are no definitive studies demonstrating the overall success of stem cell therapy for orthopedic conditions. There are many small-scale studies suggesting positive outcomes, but these studies themselves call for validation on a larger study basis.

In June 2024, doctors at Kerlan Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles and the University of Missouri Department of Orthopaedic Surgery wrote in the introduction of their review paper published in the Journal of orthopaedics (1):

“Mesenchymal stem cells (cells that can be isolated from bone marrow and adipose (fat)) have alluring interest for clinical use in orthopedics based on their therapeutic potential through directed pluripotent differentiation (the ability to transform themselves into other cells). . . “

The researchers examined data from 43 previously published studies.

  • Twenty-three studies (53.5 %) derived their Mesenchymal stem cells from iliac crest bone marrow while 12 (27.9 %) studied adipose-derived Mesenchymal stem cells.
  • Included studies explored Mesenchymal stem cells use in Osteoarthritis, Cartilage Defects, Osteonecrosis, Bone Defects and Non-unions, Spine, and other conditions.

The researchers found: “Mesenchymal stem cells use in all pathologies led to improvement of studied radiographic, clinical, and patient-reported outcomes. . .
Mesenchymal stem cells have proven to have successful and safe uses in multiple orthopedic applications, including treating chondral defects, osteoarthritis, and osteonecrosis.” The researchers also suggested that more stringent testing be employed to test the treatment long-term.”

Doctors in the United States use adult mesenchymal stem cells in caring for orthopedic conditions. These cells are derived from the patient’s own tissue, either bone marrow or fat tissue. The cells can be concentrated as in a bone marrow aspirate concentrate, or as bone marrow aspirate. Both are injected into the damaged area of the body. Strict regulations do not allow for cells to be cultured or expanded.

Hip osteoarthritis

In a June 2024 study, (2) researchers sought to further analyze the use of bone-marrow derived stem cells therapy in hip osteoarthritis patients. In this review, data from seven studies with a total of 72 patients were analyzed. Standard pain and disability scoring systems were used to assess outcomes. The researchers found: “Bone-marrow derived stem cells therapy alone in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis appeared beneficial, improving clinical outcomes in each study. All 7 studies used “low-dose” (small number of stem cells) injections with variable follow-up times; thus, a clear dose-response relationship cannot be drawn. Future studies using high doses and analyzing long-term effects of BM-MSC injections in hip osteoarthritis are needed.”

1 Malige A, Gates C, Cook JL. Mesenchymal stem cells in orthopaedics: A systematic review of applications to practice. Journal of Orthopaedics. 2024 Dec 1;58:1-9.Perez OF, Warburton C, Philippon 2 2 Perez OF, Warburton C, Philippon Jr MC, Philippon MJ, Best TM. The Efficacy of Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy in Hip Osteoarthritis: A Scoping Review. HSS Journal®. 2024 Jun 7:15563316241259035.