Evaluating newer joint injections against repeat steroid shotsRepeat corticosteroid injections for hip and knee pain ease symptoms for about six weeks, then lose effect, while frequent use can accelerate cartilage loss. Exosomes for knee osteoarthritis remain unapproved and experimental, and BMAC for ankle cartilage defects is usually an adjunct with limited trial evidence.Repeat corticosteroid injections for hip and knee pain ease symptoms for about six weeks, then lose effect, while frequent use can accelerate cartilage loss. Exosomes for knee osteoarthritis remain unapproved and experimental, and BMAC for ankle cartilage defects is usually an adjunct with limited trial evidence.
BMAC or exosomes for knee osteoarthritisBMAC currently has the firmer clinical footing for knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of 27 Level I studies showed BMAC and PRP both outperformed hyaluronic acid, but BMAC was not significantly better than PRP, and improvement is largely about pain and function rather than proven cartilage repair. Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 knees…BMAC currently has the firmer clinical footing for knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of 27 Level I studies showed BMAC and PRP both outperformed hyaluronic acid, but BMAC was not significantly better than PRP, and improvement is largely about pain and function rather than proven cartilage repair. Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 knees respond better than more advanced disease, but harvest sites, processing and injection protocols still vary widely between studies. Exosomes have no FDA-approved produ...