Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Preparation, Procedures and Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Published on: January 4, 2019
Intra-Articular Injection of Bone Marrow Concentrate for Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis Treatment: Preliminary Results
Alain Silvestre1, Sébastien Caudron2, Aymeric Rouchaud2
1Musculoskeletal Radiology Department, Clinique du Sport, 33700 Mérignac, France.
Introduction:
Patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) remains a therapeutic challenge with few effective non-surgical options.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary outcomes of ultrasound (US)-guided tibial endplate aspiration and intra-articular injection of bone marrow concentrate (BMC) in patients with isolated PFOA.
Methods:
In this retrospective case series, seven consecutive patients with symptomatic PFOA unresponsive to conservative therapy were treated with US-guided tibial endplate aspiration followed by intra-articular BMC injection. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at baseline and 12 months. MRI with T2 mapping was performed to evaluate cartilage structure. BMC composition was analyzed, including colony-forming unit fibroblast (CFU-F) assays.
Results:
The procedures were feasible in all cases, and no adverse events occurred. WOMAC scores improved significantly from 21.7 ± 17.3 at baseline to 9.0 ± 9.3 at 12 months (p = 0.030). MRI showed a mean relative increase of 25.4% ± 43.5% in healthy cartilage volume, though this was not statistically significant (p = 0.49). Correlation analyses revealed no consistent association between clinical response and cellular composition, including estimated MSC dose.
Conclusions:
This small retrospective series suggests that US-guided tibial endplate aspiration and intra-articular BMC injection are safe, technically feasible, and may provide clinical benefit in isolated PFOA. Larger controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
