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Randomized clinical trial comparing intra-articular injection of bone marrow aspirate clot and bone marrow aspirate concentrate in grade 3 and 4 knee osteoarthritis.

  • 2026-04-29
  • Stem cell research & therapy 17(1)
    • José Fábio Lana
    • Luyddy Pires
    • Alex Macedo
    • Sérgio Mainine
    • Tomas Mosaner
    • Daniel de Moraes Ferreira Jorge
    • Gabriel Azzini
    • Lucas Furtado da Fonseca
    • Claudia Herrera Tambeli
    • Marco Antônio Percope de Andrade

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
patients aged 50-80 years with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3-4 knee osteoarthritis
Methods
prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial; three monthly intra-articular injections of either bone marrow aspirate clot (BMA-clot) or bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC)
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
12-month follow-up period
Funding
Unclear
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative joint condition characterized by progressive cartilage deterioration and chronic pain, leading to functional impairment. Bone marrow-derived orthobiologics, such as bone marrow aspirate clot (BMA-clot) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), have emerged as promising regenerative therapies. Despite their growing clinical use, no randomized clinical trials to date have directly compared the efficacy and safety of these two approaches in patients with KOA, leaving a gap in the current evidence base. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of intra-articularBMA-clot and BMAC in patients with moderate to severe KOA over a 12-month follow-up period. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial, patients aged 50-80 years with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3-4 KOA were enrolled. Participants received thr ee monthly intra-articular injections of eitherBMA-clot or BMAC. The primary outcome was functional improvement assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcomes included pain reduction (Visual Analog Scale) and quality of life (Short Form-36, SF-36). Adverse events were monitored, and data were analysed using mixed-effectsmodels. Both treatments resulted in significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life throughout the 12-month period. Clinical outcomes between the BMA-clot and BMAC groups were not statistically different. The incidence of adverse events was low, with no serious complications observed. Intra-articular administration of BMA-clot and BMAC appears to be safe and effective for the management of moderate to severe KOA, providing sustained symptom relief and functional gains over a 12-month period. Given its simpler preparation and lower cost, BMA-clot may represent a more accessible therapeutic option in clinical settings.

Research Insights

  • Bone Marrow→Improved Quality of Life

    Both treatments resulted in significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life throughout the 12-month period.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
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