Could a single stem cell shot fix your knee pain?

NCT ID NCT03477942

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether injecting a patient's own stem cells into the knee can safely treat osteoarthritis and cartilage defects. Sixteen adults with knee pain will receive one injection of stem cells grown from their own bone marrow. Researchers will track side effects and measure pain, function, and cartilage quality over two years.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: autologous mesenchymal stem cells (patient's own bone marrow stem cells)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a non-surgical treatment that repairs knee cartilage and reduces pain, potentially delaying or avoiding knee replacement.
What could go wrong: This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 16 people, so it is primarily checking safety, not effectiveness. The stem cell approach may not work or could cause side effects like pain or infection.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Musculoskeletal Pain osteoarthritis, knee

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CARTILAGE DEGENERATION CARTILAGE INJURY KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center

Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States

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