Bone Marrow Concentrate Injection Treatment Improves Short-term Outcomes in Symptomatic Hip Osteoarthritis Patients: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States, the hip being the second most affected weightbearing joint. Autologous bone marrow concentrate (BMC) is a promising alternative therapy to conventional treatments, with the potential to mitigate inflammation and improve joint function. Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of a single intra-articular BMC injection for patients with symptomatic hip OA. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 24 patients diagnosed with symptomatic hip OA who elected to undergo a single BMC injection were prospectively enrolled in the study. Patients were excluded if they reported a preinjection Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score for pain with activity of <6 points out of 10. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and NRS pain scores were collected before and after the procedure (6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months). Joint space and Tönnis OA grade scores were recorded on preinjection anteroposterior pelvis radiographs. Results: A total of 18 hips from 16 patients (7 male and 9 female) (mean age, 57.6 ± 11; mean body mass index, 25.9 ± 3.6 kg/m2) were used in the final analysis. Significant improvements were observed in NRS pain with activity (from 8 to 4.5; P