Abstract

Background: A series of clinical case reports demonstrating the intra-articular injection of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (The Stromal Vascular Fraction - SVF) combined with platelet rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid, and calcium chloride after arthroscopy procedure (Pre-SVF Arthroscopy) has a therapeutic potential to regenerate cartilage in knee osteoarthritis for elderly patient and athletes with meniscus tears as well as preventing re-tears occurrence.

Case presentation: A study of three patients underwent arthroscopy procedure for unilateral knee followed by stem cells intra-articular injection that were obtained from abdominal adipose tissue by digesting lipoaspirate tissue with collagenase. The adipose-derived stem cells (Stromal Vascular Fraction - SVF) were injected into the patients knee along with hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma and calcium chloride after the arthroscopy procedure. All patients had an injury of medial or/and lateral meniscus, osteoarthritis, history of pain and limitation of motion. Pre-treatment and post-treatment MRI scans, modified functional rate index and pain score data were then analyzed.

Conclusion: Some patients may suffer from meniscus injury with symptoms such as locked knee, which may not benefit significantly with SVF intra-articular injection solely. The Pre-SVF arthroscopy procedure has shown to solve the mechanical related symptoms of the knee movement and to regenerate damage tissues, without complication or risk of early onset osteoarthritis. This clinical study conducted three patients underwent Pre-SVF arthroscopy which gain significant clinical improvement and MRI evidence of meniscus and articular cartilage regeneration.

Keywords: Adipose derived stem cell, meniscus tear, knee osteoarthritis, Pre-SVF arthroscopy, autologous
mesenchymal stem cell, case report