TDNet Discover

Background: Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative disease that compromises the integrity of the joint. It causes pain, limits range of motion, leads to deformities and disability, and has been linked to additional comorbidities that have life altering consequences. Current treatment options for osteoarthritis include assistive devices, medical regimens, intra-articular steroid injections, and arthroplasty. All of the aforementioned treatment options are either associated with adverse effects, fail to halt the progression of the disease, or are unavailable to some due to cost/health status. Current research is aimed at developing new treatment options with the potential to halt the progression of osteoarthritis and reverse its effects without compromising safety. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown the ability to differentiate into chondrocytes and produce microenvironments suitable for regeneration. Objective: The purpose of this literature review is to determine the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell applications in osteoarthritis of the knee. Methods: A literature review search was conducted from October 2017 to April 2018 utilizing the following databases: Discover @ South College, CINAHL, PubMed, and UpToDate using a battery of keywords. Three reviewers independently selected studies, extracted relevant data, and assessed study quality. Results: The three studies included varying degrees of pain relief and functional benefit from MSC therapy. Sample sizes were small and measuring values, although standardized, were not used equally throughout. Conclusion: Mesenchymal stem cell applications had strong evidence to support that they were safe. The adverse effects were limited to injection site pain and minimal swelling. Early research demonstrates promising results of pain relief, but marginal regenerative effects were established. Additional clinical trial research must be conducted to draw conclusive statements.