Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for Hip Osteoarthritis: A Promising Case Series

Pain scores cut nearly in half over 18 months

This study from Italy tracked 24 patients with hip osteoarthritis who received injections of their own processed fat tissue. Before treatment, patients rated their pain at 6.3 out of 10 on average. By 18 months, that number dropped to 3.4—a reduction of nearly 50%. This improvement appeared within the first six months and held steady through the end of the study. All measurements showed statistically significant improvement compared to baseline.

Hip function improved from "fair" to "good" range

Researchers used the Harris Hip Score (HHS) to measure overall hip function. This test evaluates pain, daily activities, range of motion, and joint alignment on a 100-point scale. Scores below 70 are considered "poor," while scores above 80 are considered "good."

• Before treatment: Average score was 65.9 (poor range)

• At 6 months: Average score jumped to 83.7 (good range)

• At 18 months: Average score remained at 81.5 (good range)

Twenty of the 28 hips treated achieved good or excellent results at the final follow-up.

Treatment worked for both moderate and advanced arthritis

The study included patients with moderate (grade II) and more advanced (grade III) hip arthritis. Fifteen hips had grade II disease, while 13 had grade III. Importantly, researchers found no statistical difference in outcomes between these groups. This suggests the treatment may help patients across a range of arthritis severity—not just those with early-stage disease.

Minimally invasive procedure with no complications reported

Each patient received a four-milliliter injection of Lipogems®—their own fat tissue processed using a special mechanical method. This approach preserves adipose-derived stem cells and supportive structures without using enzymes or chemicals.

The fat was collected from the abdominal area through a small cannula. The entire procedure was performed under sedation. No patients experienced complications from the treatment. After the injection, patients were encouraged to swim and cycle to maintain movement while avoiding high-impact activities.

Most patients avoided hip replacement surgery

Of the 28 hips treated, only five eventually required hip replacement surgery during the study period. Two of those patients had actually shown good results at their 12-month check-up before needing surgery later. Four hips showed unsatisfactory results at six months.

This means that about 82% of treated hips did not need hip replacement through the 18-month follow-up period. For patients hoping to delay or avoid major surgery, these results offer encouraging—though preliminary—evidence.

What this means for patients considering treatment

This case series adds to growing evidence that fat-based regenerative treatments may help manage hip osteoarthritis symptoms. The researchers concluded that adipose-based treatment is "promising, relatively easy and safe."

However, there are important limitations to consider. This was a retrospective review, meaning researchers looked back at existing records rather than designing a controlled experiment. There was no comparison group receiving a placebo or alternative treatment. The study also involved just 24 patients at a single center.

The authors acknowledge that more research is needed to confirm these findings. Larger studies with control groups would provide stronger evidence about how well this treatment works and for whom it works best.

For patients with moderate to advanced hip arthritis who haven't responded to conservative treatments like physical therapy or medications, this study suggests that Lipogems® injections may offer meaningful pain relief and improved function. It represents a minimally invasive option worth discussing with your physician—particularly if you're hoping to delay hip replacement surgery.

---

Source: Coco V, Boriani F, Zaffagnini S, Russo A. Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for Hip Osteoarthritis: A Promising Case Series. Annals of Case Reports & Reviews, 2021.