Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 75Years
All Genders
ID07121556

Randomized Double-Blind Study Comparing Injections of Autologous Microfragmented Adipose Tissue with Hyaluronic Acid versus Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Alone for Symptomatic Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis

Led by Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli · Updated on 2025-12-03

100

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating treatments for adults aged 18 to 75 with symptomatic bilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA). This randomized controlled double-blind trial compares two injections: autologous microfragmented adipose tissue combined with high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid versus autologous microfragmented adipose tissue with saline. The study aims to assess clinical outcomes and safety of these treatments in patients who have persistent knee pain despite at least six months of conservative therapies. Each participant will receive both treatments, one in each knee, with one knee injected with 6 cc of microfragmented adipose tissue plus 4 cc of hyaluronic acid, and the other knee injected with the same tissue plus 4 cc of saline. The adipose tissue is obtained from the abdominal area via liposuction and microfragmentation. Participants and researchers remain blinded to which knee receives which treatment. Follow-up visits occur at 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 months to monitor progress. Participants will undergo assessments including questionnaires, clinical evaluations, and imaging at baseline and follow-up visits. The main outcome measured is the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include pain and function scores, patient satisfaction, range of motion, and safety monitoring. The study will document any adverse events and patient opinions on treatment effectiveness over two years.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Treatment of Symptomatic Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis: Intra-articular Injection of Autologous Microfragmented Adipose Tissue and Hyaluronic Acid vs Intra Articular Injection of Autologous Microfragmented Adipose Tissue

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 75Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Male or female patients aged between 18 and 75
  • Radiographic evidence of bilateral knee osteoarthritis graded between 2 and 4 on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale
  • Pain score of 4 or greater on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) in both knees
  • Persistent symptoms after at least 6 months of conservative treatments such as medication, physiotherapy, or injections
  • Ability and willingness to participate and comply with study procedures
  • Signed informed consent
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Unable to understand or unwilling to participate
  • Diagnosis of active cancer
  • Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, or other inflammatory arthritis; HIV; active viral hepatitis; chondrocalcinosis
  • Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
  • Uncontrolled thyroid disorders
  • Abuse of alcohol, drugs, or medications
  • Lower limb misalignment greater than 5 degrees
  • Body Mass Index greater than 35 kg/m2
  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study
  • History of trauma or joint injections within 6 months before screening
  • Knee surgery within 12 months before screening
  • Insufficient abdominal fat for tissue harvest as judged by the investigator

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Implementation

Duration - 1 day

Participants undergo liposuction to harvest adipose tissue from the abdominal site, which is then microfragmented. One knee receives an injection of microfragmented autologous adipose tissue combined with high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, while the other knee receives microfragmented autologous adipose tissue combined with saline placebo injection.

1 baseline visit (in-person)

Monitoring

Duration - 24 months

Participants are clinically evaluated through subjective and objective questionnaires and assessments to monitor treatment effects and safety.

Follow-up visits at 2, 6, 12, and 24 months (in-person)

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli

Bologna, Italy, 40127

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

A

Alessandro Di Martino, MD

R

Roberta Licciardi, MsC

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

TRIPLE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

2

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Published Research Related To This Trial

Intra-Articular Application of Autologous, Fat-Derived Orthobiologics in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review.

Matthias Holzbauer, Eleni Priglinger, Stig-Frederik Trojahn Kølle...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38727286

A new nonenzymatic method and device to obtain a fat tissue derivative highly enriched in pericyte-like elements by mild mechanical forces from human lipoaspirates.

Francesca Bianchi, Margherita Maioli, Erika Leonardi...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23051701

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Articular Cartilage: A Systematic Review on Preclinical and Clinical Evidence.

Francesco Perdisa, Natalia Gostyńska, Alice Roffi...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26240572

Transplantation of Nonexpanded Adipose Stromal Vascular Fraction and Platelet-Rich Plasma for Articular Cartilage Injury Treatment in Mice Model.

Phuc Van Pham, Khanh Hong-Thien Bui, Dat Quoc Ngo...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27006923

One-step surgical procedure for the treatment of osteochondral defects with adipose-derived stem cells in a caprine knee defect: a pilot study.

Wouter J F M Jurgens, Robert Jan Kroeze, Behrouz Zandieh-Doulabi...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23914338

Micro-fragmentation is a valid alternative to cell expansion and enzymatic digestion of adipose tissue for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a comparative preclinical study.

Giuseppe Filardo, Matilde Tschon, Francesco Perdisa...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33464397

Cell-based therapies have disease-modifying effects on osteoarthritis in animal models. A systematic review by the ESSKA Orthobiologic Initiative. Part 1: adipose tissue-derived cell-based injectable therapies.

Carlotta Perucca Orfei, Angelo Boffa, Yosef Sourugeon...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36104484

Higher Pericyte Content and Secretory Activity of Microfragmented Human Adipose Tissue Compared to Enzymatically Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction.

Bianca Vezzani, Isaac Shaw, Hanna Lesme...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30255987

Regenerative Features of Adipose Tissue for Osteoarthritis Treatment in a Rabbit Model: Enzymatic Digestion Versus Mechanical Disruption.

Giovanna Desando, Isabella Bartolotti, Lucia Martini...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31146351