Hip Osteoarthritis in Dogs: A Randomised Study Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Adipose Tissue and Plasma Rich in Growth Factors

Cuervo et al. 2014
Full Study Link

Elita Summary

As the evidence base for regenerative therapies grows, studies directly comparing treatment modalities are particularly valuable. One such study, published in 2014, aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) versus plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) in client-owned dogs with hip osteoarthritis.

While limited in sample size, the study design was robust and the findings provide further support for stem cell therapy in companion animal medicine, particularly in showing how it compares to other regenerative treatments like PRGF.

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Study Design at a Glance

This was a randomised, multicentre, blinded clinical trial involving 39 dogs with confirmed hip osteoarthritis. Subjects were split into two treatment groups:

  • Group 1 received a single intra-articular injection of autologous AD-MSCs.
  • Group 2 received a single intra-articular injection of PRGF.

Outcome assessments were performed at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-treatment. Evaluations included both clinical lameness scores and owner-reported Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) data, covering pain severity and interference with daily activities.

No adverse effects were reported in either group.

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What Did They Find?

Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in lameness, pain, and quality of life at each post-treatment checkpoint.

However, by the 6-month mark, the AD-MSC group showed significantly greater improvements across multiple measures compared to the PRGF group. Notably:

  • Dogs in the AD-MSC group had sustained pain relief and improved function beyond the 3-month period.
  • PRGF showed earlier benefits (at 1 month), but the effect began to plateau.
  • The AD-MSC group had lower CBPI scores at all follow-up points, indicating a more consistent reduction in pain and disruption.
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Strengths of the Study

  • Head-to-head comparison: This is one of the few published studies directly comparing two regenerative treatments in a controlled setting.
  • Clinical relevance: The use of client-owned dogs with naturally occurring OA mirrors real-world scenarios.
  • Blinded assessment: Both clinicians and owners were blinded to treatment group, reducing bias.
  • Multisite design: Conducted across three veterinary centres, which adds to the generalisability of the findings.
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Limitations (and Why They Matter)

  • Sample size: While larger than many early studies, 39 dogs is still relatively small for drawing definitive conclusions. Further validation in larger populations is needed.
  • Single joint focus: Only hip OA was assessed. It’s unclear how these findings translate to other joints or more severe/multifocal OA.
  • Short follow-up: The six-month window provides insight into medium-term outcomes, but not durability beyond this point.
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That said, the findings align with broader clinical observations, particularly around the longer-lasting benefit of AD-MSCs when compared to biologics like PRGF.
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Why It Matters to Us

At Elita, we’re especially interested in studies like this that move beyond isolated case success and explore comparative outcomes. While PRGF and similar biologics remain useful tools, this trial offers further evidence that stem cell therapy can provide more sustained and measurable improvements in pain and mobility, particularly in chronic degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. It reinforces our focus on building data-driven protocols that prioritise long-term outcomes for Australian pets.