Combined autologous fat + PRP Therapy in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Multicenter Protocol and First Promising Cases

The SPOST study (Stromal Vascular Fraction and Platelet-Rich Plasma for Osteoarthritis Study), currently being initiated, is a multicenter, triple-blind randomized controlled trial. We recently published a research protocol aimed at comparing the functional and structural efficacy of a combined autologous fat therapy + PRP treatment versus PRP alone in 108 patients with symptomatic, non-surgical knee osteoarthritis.

The primary endpoint is improvement in the WOMAC score at 6 months. Secondary endpoints include return to sport, pain intensity, and three MRI scores, i.e. AMADEUS, MOCART, and WORMS, assessed at 6 and 12 months. The study will begin once funding has been secured.

Figure 1 : Response to a medial trochlear chondral lesion to autologous fat therapy on a 30 years old elite soccer player arthro-CT

• Sagittal series from medial to lateral, before (1a) and after (1b) autologous fat therapy
• Axial series from medial to lateral before (2a) and after (2b) autologous fat therapy

Although long-term data are still lacking to definitively confirm true cartilage healing, the functional outcomes in our cohort are highly encouraging. This work aims to provide more objective insights into the true potential of combined cell therapy in the treatment of chondropathy and knee osteoarthritis.