Riassunto dello studio

Fifty patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized to receive autologous bone marrow aspirate mixed with local anesthetic/depth glucose/dexamethasone and injected intra-articularly plus genicular nerve blocks (n=25 planned) or standard care consisting of intra-articular corticosteroid with the same anesthetic/dextrose/dexamethasone mixture plus genicular blocks (n=25 planned). The primary outcome of interest was WOMAC pain; secondary outcomes included WOMAC stiffness, physical function, and total score. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. Overall, the results of the study revealed greater pain reduction at 6 months with BMA versus control, while stiffness and function did not differ between groups; within-group improvements were seen across WOMAC subscales in the BMA arm. These findings suggest BMA may offer clinically meaningful pain relief at 6 months in knee OA relative to standard intra-articular corticosteroid plus genicular block.