Innovation of a Novel Therapeutic Modality for Treatment of Osteoarthritis of Knee with Autologous Adipose Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction (AD-SVF)

Background: Adipose tissue derived stromal vascular fraction is crude heterogeneous mixture of different cell population. SVF possess potential to translate into oesteogenic and chondrogenic lineage. We designed a pilot study to assess safety and efficacy of autologous adipose derived stromal vascular fraction (AD-SVF) in 25 patients (50 knees) with both the knees having osteoarthritis. Methods: Patients were selected based on selection criteria. Lipoaspiration from the lower abdomen was done. The lipoaspirate was processed to obtain SVF. The intra-articular injection of SVF and PRP was given. Clinical outcomes were assessed with WOMAC, KSS, and VAS scores and radiologically at the interval of 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. Results: The safety of AD-SVF was confirmed as there were no adverse reactions related to therapy. Patients exhibited rapid and progressive improvement of WOMAC, KSS and VAS Score by 1 year. MRI studies did not show radiological evidence of cartilage. Conclusions: AD-SVF therapy is safe & efficacious alternative treatment for knee osteoarthritis. The intervention is simple, minimally invasive, require minimal hospitalization and surgery.