Could a single stem cell injection fix your knee arthritis?

NCT ID NCT03477942

First seen Nov 01, 2025 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 41 times

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether a single injection of a patient's own stem cells into the knee is safe and can help with osteoarthritis or cartilage injuries. Sixteen adults with knee pain will get the shot and be followed for two years. Researchers will check for side effects and measure pain, function, and cartilage quality on MRI.

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This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States

What this could mean

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

Active substance

stem cells (from the patient's own bone marrow)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a non-surgical treatment that repairs cartilage and treats the root cause of knee osteoarthritis, not just symptoms.

What could go wrong

This is a very early, small phase 1 trial with only 16 people. It primarily checks safety, not effectiveness. The stem cell procedure is complex and may not provide lasting benefit.

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.