Comparison between total knee arthroplasty and MCIC (autologous bone marrow mesenchymal-cell-induced-chondrogenesis) for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the gold standard of treatment for advanced osteoarthritis of the knee. The technical methods of cartilage regeneration procedures are now well-developed. Indications for this procedure are being expanded to the treatment of osteoarthritis. We compared data from 42 patients who underwent TKA and from 52 patients who underwent MCIC (autologous bone marrow mesenchymal-cell-induced-chondrogenesis). All patients were over 50 years of age and showed grade IV of the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. The TKA patients were older and predominantly female, compared to the MCIC patients. There was no difference between the two groups regarding the patient satisfaction. Clinical evaluation of the two groups showed significant mean improvement in the tKSS-A (pain) and tKSS-B (function) scores throughout the postoperative follow-up period. The monetary cost of TKA was relatively higher than that of MCIC. Therefore, considering the patient age and quality of life, MCIC is a potential treatment option for osteoarthritis as it thus delays the disease progression.