Intra-Articular Injections including Supartz and Stem Cell

Osteoarthritis, unlike many other diseases, can be effectively treated using local intra-articular injections, in addition to systemic treatment options. While most research has focused on the development of systemic treatments, these approaches often come with a significant risk of systemic side effects, including cardiovascular events and gastrointestinal complications associated with certain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (Petit-Zeman, 2004; Topol, 2004). Given the chronic nature of osteoarthritis, there is a need for drugs that are suitable for long-term systemic treatment with minimal side effects, presenting a challenging goal. Local drug application, specifically the injection of medications directly into the affected joint, offers a promising option for the treatment of osteoarthritis, as it can deliver the desired therapeutic effects.

It is important to note that knee osteoarthritis progresses due to local factors, including inflammation of the synovial membrane, activation of chondrocytes, and remodeling of the bone. Therefore, an intra-articular route is a logical choice for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, as well as hip osteoarthritis.