This 2021 network meta-analysis of 43 randomized controlled trials concluded that adipose-derived mesenchymal signaling cells (MFAT) provided the highest level of pain relief, while leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP) was the most effective for restoring joint function. Bone marrow-derived signaling cells (BMC) showed promise, but their data was less conclusive due to wider credibility intervals (there may have been too few patients in the studies to draw reach > 95% probability). Hyaluronic acid (HA) was consistently found to be less effective than these biological alternatives. Ultimately, the authors highlighted LP-PRP as the most advisable clinical option because it balanced significant functional gains with the lowest risk of treatment-related adverse events.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33713757/
