Quick answer
In a 2019 randomized trial with 26 patients with knee osteoarthritis, two doses of Wharton's jelly stem cells gave less pain at 12 months than hyaluronic acid (pain scale 2.4 vs 22.1). A 2024 meta-analysis of three trials found favorable results. The studies are small.
Why umbilical cord cells
Wharton's jelly, the tissue of the umbilical cord, is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells that can be collected without any procedure on the patient. It is the source used at Longevity Clinic.
The randomized trial
In 2019, Stem Cells Translational Medicine published a trial in which patients received hyaluronic acid, one dose or two doses of umbilical cord stem cells. At 12 months, the two-dose group had much less pain than the hyaluronic acid group, and only the cell groups improved significantly.
The meta-analysis
A 2024 meta-analysis of three randomized trials found better WOMAC and Lysholm scores with umbilical cord cells than with control.
What it means for you
Encouraging, but small studies. Read more in stem cells for knee pain.
Studies cited
Matas J, et al. Stem Cells Translational Medicine
Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) for Knee Osteoarthritis: Repeated MSC Dosing Is Superior to a Single MSC Dose and to Hyaluronic Acid in a Controlled Randomized Phase I/II Trial
Reported result: At 12 months, the two-dose group had less pain than the hyaluronic acid group: visual analogue scale 2.4 vs 22.1; WOMAC pain 1.1 vs 4.3; total WOMAC 4.2 vs 15.2. Only the cell groups improved significantly in pain and function. No serious adverse events and no MRI differences.
Xiao Z, et al. Medicine (Baltimore)
Effects of the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Reported result: Umbilical cord stem cells were associated with a lower WOMAC index (mean difference −25.85; 95% CI −41.50 to −10.20) and a better Lysholm score (+18.33; 95% CI 12.89 to 23.77) than control.