# Effects of Intra-articular Bone Marrow Aspirate Infiltration in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Clinical Study Comparing BMA versus Corticosteroid and Genicular Block

## TL;DR

This study compares bone marrow aspirate to corticosteroid injections and nerve blocks for knee osteoarthritis, finding that bone marrow aspirate reduces pain more effectively.

## Contribution

The study provides new clinical evidence that bone marrow aspirate may be more effective than standard treatments for knee osteoarthritis pain.

## Key findings

- BMA treatment significantly reduced pain compared to corticosteroid and genicular block after 6 months.
- No significant differences were found in stiffness or physical activity scores between the groups.
- BMA showed significant improvements in all WOMAC subcategories.

## Abstract

Objective
 To assess the efficacy of autologous bone marrow aspirate (BMA) in reducing pain and improving functionality in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), in comparison with intraarticular corticosteroid injection and genicular nerve block.

Methods
 A prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blinded, comparative, and analytical clinical study was conducted. There were 50 patients with knee OA divided into two groups: an intervention group receiving BMA treatment and a control group undergoing standard corticosteroid articular infiltration and genicular block. Outcome measures were evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC).

Results
 After 6 months, significant pain reduction was noted in the BMA group compared with the control group (
p
 = 0.030). No significant differences were found in stiffness and physical activity scores between the groups. The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in all assessed WOMAC subcategories pre- and posttreatment.

Conclusions
 Treatment with BMA can significantly reduce pain, potentially leading to an improved functionality, suggesting its potential as a viable therapeutic option for managing knee OA.