Investigating The Use of Regenerative Medicine in the Treatment of Cartilage Damage in Osteoarthritis, Especially in Advanced Stages

Background: Osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative joint disease leading to pain, stiffness, and loss of joint function, particularly affecting older populations. In advanced stages, conventional treatments often fail, necessitating the exploration of alternative therapies. Objective: This study evaluates the use of regenerative medicine, specifically stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma injections, in treating cartilage damage in advanced OA. Methods: The study was conducted in Bangladesh, enrolling 30 participants with advanced knee OA. Pain, joint function, and cartilage regeneration were assessed at baseline and after six months of treatment. Results: Pain reduction was significant, with mean VAS score dropping from 8.2 to 4.3 (47.6% improvement; p < 0.001). Joint function improved markedly: WOMAC scores showed a 38.6% improvement in physical function (p < 0.001). MRI revealed moderate cartilage regeneration in 15 of 30 participants (50%) with a mean increase of 0.6 mm in cartilage thickness. PROMs showed enhanced quality of life (27% increase; p < 0.01) and daily activity levels (32% increase; p < 0.01). Among participants with pre-treatment edema (n = 17), all showed clinical resolution post-treatment. Two representative MRI images are included as supplementary material. Conclusion: These findings suggest that regenerative therapies may offer a non-invasive, cost-effective alternative to joint replacement surgery, particularly in resource-limited settings. However, variability in treatment outcomes underscores the need for further research to optimize treatment protocols and identify predictive factors for success. Larger, long-term studies are needed to validate the long-term efficacy and safety of these therapies.