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Updated: Jun 23, 2025
Treatment of Osteochondral Defects in the Rabbit's Knee Joint by Implantation of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Fibrin Clots
Published on: May 21, 2013
Radiofrequency ablation versus intra-articular mesenchymal stem cell injection for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic
Sukhee Park1, Soyoon Park2, Jae Ni Jang2
1Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Gangneung, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative disease and causes disability, pain and imposes a substantial burden on patients. Conventional treatments for knee OA show limited effectiveness. Consequently, innovative treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and intra-articular mesenchymal stem cells (IA MSC), have gained attention for addressing these limitations.
Objective:
We compared the efficacy of RFA and IA MSC for knee OA through a network meta-analysis (NMA).
Evidence Review:
A literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and handsearching. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing RFA or IA MSC to conventional treatments for knee OA were included. The primary outcomes comprised the pain score and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). The clinical outcomes were compared using a frequentist approach, and the treatments were ranked using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values.
Findings:
We included 34 RCTs (n=2371). Our NMA revealed that RFA and IA MSC were significantly more effective than conventional treatments in managing pain at both 3 and 6 months with moderate certainty. Specifically, RFA demonstrated the highest SUCRA values, indicating its superior efficacy. For WOMAC scores, both RFA and MSC showed significant improvements at 3 months, with RFA maintaining its lead at 6 months, although MSC did not display significant superiority at this stage.
Conclusions:
This analysis suggests that RFA and MSC are resilient treatment options in knee OA. Despite some study heterogeneity, these treatments consistently outperformed conventional treatments, particularly in the short to mid-term, although with varying levels of certainty in their efficacy.
Prospero Registration Number:
CRD42023492299.
Insights
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and intra-articular mesenchymal stem cells (IA MSC) offer superior pain relief for knee osteoarthritis compared to conventional treatments. RFA showed the highest efficacy in this network meta-analysis.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Regenerative Medicine
- Pain Management
Background:
- Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread degenerative condition causing pain and disability.
- Conventional treatments for knee OA have limited effectiveness.
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and intra-articular mesenchymal stem cells (IA MSC) are emerging innovative treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of RFA and IA MSC for knee OA using a network meta-analysis (NMA).
- To evaluate pain scores and WOMAC index improvements.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science) and handsearching.
- Inclusion of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing RFA or IA MSC against conventional treatments for knee OA.
- Primary outcomes: pain score and WOMAC index. Analysis using a frequentist approach and treatment ranking via SUCRA values.
Main Results:
- 34 RCTs (n=2371) were included in the NMA.
- Both RFA and IA MSC significantly outperformed conventional treatments for pain at 3 and 6 months (moderate certainty).
- RFA demonstrated the highest SUCRA values, indicating superior efficacy. Both treatments improved WOMAC scores at 3 months, with RFA showing sustained benefit at 6 months.
Conclusions:
- RFA and IA MSC are effective treatment options for knee OA, outperforming conventional methods.
- These innovative treatments provide significant short-to-mid-term benefits for pain and function.
- While varying in certainty, RFA and IA MSC represent resilient therapeutic choices for managing knee OA.
