Retrospective evaluation of the short-term effectiveness of non-enzymatically isolated stromal vascular fraction cells in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common degenerative joint disease. Adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction cell therapy slows the progression of knee osteoarthritis and prevents hyaline cartilage degeneration without serious side effects. This study aims to present retrospectively the effectiveness of stromal vascular fraction cells isolated from adipose tissue by the non-enzymatic method applied to 55 osteoarthritis patients of different age groups and Kellgren-Lawrence grades on the recovery of the disease. Fifty-five patients with knee osteoarthritis, treated with stromal vascular fraction cells at the International Medical Centre (Azerbaijan) between 2020 and 2021, were included in the study to be evaluated retrospectively. Patients aged 32–67 years, Grades I–IV according to Kellgren-Lawrence classification, were included in this study. Pain and functional limitations were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaires before treatment, at the 5th month, and 12th month after stromal vascular fraction injection. At the fifth and 12th months post-treatment, it was observed that the WOMAC scores were significantly improved compared with pre-treatment scores. It was also observed that stromal vascular fraction therapy was effective for Kellgren-Lawrence Grades I and II at 12 months. The most significant decrease in the WOMAC score after stromal vascular fraction treatment was observed in patients aged 45–60 years, and it was also found that there was no meaningful relationship between stromal vascular fraction efficiency and gender. According to our results, non-enzymatically stromal vascular fraction treatment is more effective for longer in osteoarthritis patients with early age and low Kellgren-Lawrence grades (I and II). Moreover, our finding is that the stromal vascular fraction cells could be used safely in osteoarthritis treatments and significantly benefit patients’ quality of life.