Stem cell injections for the knee use mesenchymal cells, usually taken from fat, bone marrow or donated tissue, to try to calm inflammation and support the joint. Some published trials and case reports describe less pain and better function in knee arthritis, for example a small randomised trial by Freitag and colleagues (2019). The evidence is still early, results vary between people, and it is not a proven cure.
What studies suggest
- Some small trials report pain and function improving for 12 months or more
- A few case reports describe improved cartilage on MRI
- Larger, longer trials are still needed
- No stem cell product is approved by the US FDA for knee arthritis
Who may be a candidate
- Mild to moderate knee arthritis, or cartilage damage
- Pain that persists despite exercise, weight control and other injections
- People who want to delay or avoid knee surgery or replacement
- People who have been told surgery is the next step and want a second opinion first
Whether it could help your knee depends on the type and stage of damage. That is a doctor's decision after looking at your imaging. Send your MRI for a doctor review.
Questions to ask any clinic
- What cells, from where, and how many?
- Is the doctor a qualified specialist?
- What results do they track, and what are the risks?
- What does follow-up include?