Published online Mar 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v18.i3.116298
Revised: January 12, 2026
Accepted: February 12, 2026
Published online: March 26, 2026
Processing time: 106 Days and 0.3 Hours
Chronic meniscal injuries pose a significant challenge in orthopedic medicine, frequently resulting in enduring pain, functional limitations, and progression to osteoarthritis. Existing treatment modalities have limitations, particularly for tears in the avascular zone.
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of autologous bone marrow-derived mesen
A prospective clinical trial was conducted between September 2023 and December 2024, enrolling 80 patients with chronic meniscal injuries identified through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patients were administered an intra-articular injection of autologous BM-MSCs (40 × 106 cells). Primary outcomes included Visual Analog Scale pain, International Knee Documentation Committee and Lysholm Knee scores. Secondary outcomes comprised MRI T2 mapping values and meniscal morphology evaluations. Patients were evaluated at baseline and at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after injection.
Seventy-six patients completed the 12-month follow-up period. Visual Analog Scale pain scores significantly decreased from 6.8 ± 1.3 at baseline to 2.1 ± 0.9 at 12 months (P < 0.001). International Knee Documentation Committee scores improved from 42.3 ± 8.7 to 71.5 ± 10.2 (P < 0.001), while Lysholm scores improved from 58.4 ± 11.3 to 85.2 ± 9.8 (P < 0.001). MRI T2 mapping revealed a significant reduction in T2 relaxation times in the treated meniscus (38.5 ± 4.2 milliseconds to 31.2 ± 3.8 milliseconds, P < 0.001), indicating enhanced tissue quality. No serious adverse events were observed.
Autologous BM-MSC injection effectively reduces pain and improves function in patients with chronic meniscal injuries. Moreover, it appears to be a safe alternative to surgery in selected patients.
Core Tip: This prospective clinical study examined the therapeutic efficacy of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell injections in patients with chronic meniscal injuries. Significant pain reduction and functional improvement were observed over 12 months. This was supported by enhanced Visual Analog Scale pain, International Knee Documentation Committee, and Lysholm scores, as well as magnetic resonance imaging T2 mapping, indicating enhanced meniscal tissue quality. The intervention proved to be safe, minimally invasive, and well-tolerated, suggesting that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy could offer a viable regenerative option to surgery for chronic meniscal injuries. This approach may facilitate both structural restoration and clinical recovery.