Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) separated from adipose tissue, helps improve joint function through intra-articular injection (Photo = Yonsei Sarang Hospital)
Degenerative knee arthritis is a common degenerative disease, especially in older adults. Inflammation within the knee joint damages cartilage, leading to friction between the joints and causing pain. In the early stages, symptoms can be managed by relieving inflammation and reducing pain through injection therapy or exercise. In later stages, when all cartilage is worn away, artificial joint replacement surgery can be performed to replace the joint.
Artificial joint replacement is a common surgical treatment for degenerative arthritis, but many individuals find it burdensome. This is because even though the person’s own joint is not preserved and an artificial joint is inserted, it has a limited lifespan. As a result, regenerative treatments that strengthen and regenerate cartilage, delaying the need for artificial joint replacement, are gaining traction.
Seoul Yonsei Sarang Hospital, a joint specialty hospital designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, recently received recognition for its ‘autologous fat-derived stromal vascular fraction injection’ as a new medical technology from the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The treatment involves extracting stromal vascular fraction (SVF, regenerative healing cells) by separating fat tissue collected from the patient’s buttocks and abdomen and injecting it into the knee joint space (the gap between bones).
This technique has been evaluated as effective in improving knee joint function and relieving pain for patients with stage 2-3 degenerative knee arthritis. Stage 1 knee arthritis refers to symptoms such as pain, swelling, and occasional fluid accumulation; stage 2 means symptoms are more frequent and the narrowing of the joint space is clearly visible on an X-ray; and stages 3 and 4 indicate chronic conditions requiring surgical treatment. A study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM) found that patients with arthritis who received injection treatment for 12 months showed improvements in scores related to pain, stiffness, and physical function.
One advantage of autologous fat-derived stromal vascular fraction injection is its ease of obtaining mesenchymal stem cells. Compared to bone marrow aspirate concentrate, commonly used in osteoarthritis treatment, it contains more stem cells. Generally, a greater number of mesenchymal stem cells translates to higher growth factor secretion, promoting chondrocyte proliferation.
The Advanced Medical Research Team at Yonsei Sarang Hospital explained, “It is difficult to obtain mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow for elderly patients over 60 years of age. While approximately 1 in 1,000 bone marrow stem cells in those in their 20s are known to be mesenchymal stem cells, this number drops to regarding 1 in 100,000 or 1 in 1 million for those over 60.” “On the other hand, adipose stem cells can provide mesenchymal stem cells at a rate of 1 in 10 to 15, making them significantly more effective than bone marrow stem cells, particularly for elderly patients over 60 years of age whose bone marrow condition is not ideal. Developed countries like the United States and Japan have been using adipose stem cells, which are rich in mesenchymal stem cells, to treat arthritis for over a decade.”
To ensure safety and accuracy during intra-articular injection using autologous fat-derived stromal vascular fraction injection, it is crucial to receive treatment from a professional medical team with extensive clinical experience. Additionally, excellent facilities and systematic processes are essential to prevent external contamination during the collection, separation, and washing of adipose stem cells.
Yonsei Sarang Hospital, recently designated as an ‘Advanced Regenerative Medicine Implementation Institution’ by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, was the first joint and spine specialty hospital to establish its own cell therapy research institute in 2008 and has published over 30 papers on autologous fat stem cells. Additionally, the cell therapy research institute was upgraded at the end of August last year with a cutting-edge regenerative research lab spanning approximately 230㎡, equipped with all essential equipment including cell storage tanks, centrifuges, and sterile clean benches.
Director Yong-gon Ko of Yonsei Sarang Hospital stated, “We are very pleased that ‘autologous fat-derived stromal vascular fraction intra-articular injection’ for patients with knee osteoarthritis has been registered as a new medical technology. We expect this to improve the knee joint function of patients with degenerative arthritis and delay the need for artificial joint surgery.” He also mentioned, “Yonsei Sarang Hospital has received limited medical technology approval for ‘autologous fat stem cell therapy for musculoskeletal diseases’ since 2018. We have accumulated extensive clinical experience over the years, leading to this new medical technology registration. This registration aims to alleviate the burden of treatment costs on patients and address the damage and misperceptions caused by recent controversies surrounding excessive and indiscriminate use of stem cell injection therapy.”
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Autologous Fat-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction Injection: A New Hope for Knee Osteoarthritis
Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) separated from adipose tissue, helps improve joint function through intra-articular injection (Photo = Yonsei Sarang Hospital)
A Promising Regenerative Approach for Degenerative Knee Arthritis
Degenerative knee arthritis, a prevalent condition affecting the elderly, causes pain and immobility due to cartilage damage and inflammation in the knee joint. While traditional treatments like injection therapy and exercise can manage early stages, advanced cases often require joint replacement surgery, posing a significant burden on patients.
Regenerative medicine, with its focus on stimulating cartilage regeneration, offers a potential alternative to delay or even avoid joint replacement. Among these innovative approaches, autologous fat-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) injection is gaining attention for its impressive results in treating degenerative knee arthritis.
Yonsei Sarang Hospital Leads in SVF Injection Therapy
Yonsei Sarang Hospital, a renowned joint specialty hospital in South Korea, has been awarded recognition from the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) for its autologous fat-derived SVF injection therapy. This treatment involves extracting regenerative healing cells (SVF) from the patient’s own fat tissue (collected from the buttocks and abdomen) and injecting them directly into the knee joint space.
Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this procedure in improving knee joint function and reducing pain in patients with stage 2-3 degenerative knee arthritis. A study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM) showed significant improvements in pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients who underwent SVF injection therapy for 12 months.
Advantages of Autologous Fat-Derived SVF Injection
One significant advantage of using autologous fat for SVF extraction lies in its ease of access and abundance of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Compared to bone marrow aspirate concentrate, a widely used treatment for knee osteoarthritis, fat tissue contains a higher concentration of stem cells. The presence of a larger number of MSCs leads to the secretion of more growth factors, promoting chondrocyte proliferation and cartilage regeneration.
“For elderly patients over 60 years of age, obtaining mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow can be challenging due to its declining availability,” explains the Advanced Medical Research Team at Yonsei Sarang Hospital. “While bone marrow in younger individuals contains regarding 1 in 1,000 MSCs, this number drops dramatically to 1 in 100,000 or 1 in 1 million in those over 60. In contrast, adipose stem cells offer a much higher yield of MSCs, approximately 1 in 10 to 15, making them a more effective option for elderly patients. The use of adipose stem cells in arthritis treatment has been established for over 10 years in developed countries like the United States and Japan.”
Ensuring Safety and Accuracy
To ensure the safety and efficacy of intra-articular SVF injection, treatment should be administered by qualified medical professionals with extensive experience. Additionally, state-of-the-art facilities and rigorous procedures are crucial to prevent external contamination during the collection, separation, and washing of adipose stem cells.
Yonsei Sarang Hospital: A Pioneer in Regenerative Medicine
Yonsei Sarang Hospital, recognized as an “Advanced Regenerative Medicine Implementation Institution” by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, has been at the forefront of regenerative medicine research. Since 2008, the hospital has dedicated its cell therapy research institute to exploring the potential of autologous fat stem cells, publishing over 30 papers on the subject. The institute, recently expanded to a 230㎡ cutting-edge regenerative research lab, is equipped with advanced facilities, such as cell storage tanks, centrifuges, and sterile clean benches, to ensure optimal conditions for cell processing.
A Positive Step Towards Relieving Knee Arthritis Burden
“We are thrilled to see ‘autologous fat-derived stromal vascular fraction intra-articular injection’ for knee osteoarthritis patients gain recognition as a new medical technology,” says Director Yong-gon Ko of Yonsei Sarang Hospital. “This advancement holds great promise for improving knee joint function in individuals with degenerative arthritis and delaying the need for artificial joint surgery.”
Dr. Ko emphasizes the significance of this new medical technology registration, stating, “Yonsei Sarang Hospital has been actively involved in ‘autologous fat stem cell therapy for musculoskeletal diseases’ since 2018, accumulating substantial clinical experience over the years. This recognition of our work reinforces our commitment to providing effective and safe regenerative treatments for patients. We hope this will alleviate the cost burden on patients and address the misconceptions surrounding stem cell injection therapy, which has been plagued by controversies over aggressive and indiscriminate practices.”