The New York Times reported this week on “rogue clinics” offering stem cell and platelet rich plasma (PRP) as treatment for osteoarthritis pain. The US Food and Drug Administration, the company Regenexx and a number of researchers were interviewed for the article, which concluded:
There is no clear evidence that these treatments work, and their safety has yet to be established. Most researchers, including those at the National Institutes of Health, think that efforts to sell therapies involving adult stem cells, which can develop into different types of cells to replenish tissue, have gotten way ahead of the science.
AAHKS believes more research is needed in biologic therapies and has taken the position that stem cell and PRP injections cannot be recommended for the treatment of advanced hip or knee arthritis. AAHKS also offers articles for patients explaining stem cell and PRP therapies.