review · 2024
Systematic reviews: MSC for knee osteoarthritis
Multiple studies report short- to medium-term improvement in pain and function; evidence of cartilage regeneration remains limited and methods vary widely.
PubMedTreatment example
Care journey example: knee osteoarthritis
The real sequence from first question to follow-up for people interested in stem cell studies in knee osteoarthritis.
In short
The journey starts with your question and medical records, moves to a joint review of the research, then a doctor screens eligibility. Most studies report short- to mid-term pain and function outcomes but do not confirm new cartilage growth, so this is not standard care.
Step by step
Timings are a general example and may change with documents and clinical judgement.
- 01
Send your question and basic information
Day 1Complete the information-consultation form with your symptoms, how long you have had them, current medicines and previous treatments. The EHL Thailand information team replies in your dashboard. This step is educational information, not a diagnosis.
Who is involved: You + EHL Thailand information team
- 02
Collect your medical documents
Week 1–2Prepare discharge/treatment summaries, blood results, X-ray or MRI images and your medicine list. The more complete the records, the more accurate the eligibility review. Documents are used only with your consent (PDPA).
Who is involved: You + your current treating doctor
- 03
Review the research evidence together
Week 2The team shows what the existing research actually reports — for example MSC reviews in knee osteoarthritis describing pain and function improvement in some studies — together with limits on sample size and follow-up length.
Who is involved: Information team + content review panel
- 04
Clinical eligibility screening
Week 3–4The doctor reviews severity on X-ray/MRI, body weight, inflammation, and treatments that should come first such as physiotherapy or weight control. People with end-stage disease may benefit more from joint replacement.
Who is involved: The doctor or clinic responsible for care in Korea
- 05
Informed consent before deciding
Before travellingBefore deciding you should receive documents stating that the treatment is investigational and not registered in Thailand, the risks, the alternatives, the full costs, and what is still unknown. No outcome guarantee should ever be given.
Who is involved: You + the treating doctor
- 06
Treatment and follow-up
From treatment day to 12 monthsPain and function scores are followed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. A doctor in Thailand should continue follow-up and record any adverse events.
Who is involved: Treating doctor + your doctor in Thailand
Documents to prepare
- Recent knee X-ray or MRI (within 12 months)
- History of intra-articular injections such as steroid or hyaluronic acid
- List of painkillers and medicines for other conditions
- A log of your pain level and daily walking distance
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which study stage is this treatment at, and what long-term results exist?
- Which standard options should be tried first?
- What are the common and the serious side effects?
- What is the total cost including follow-up, and what does it cover?
Limits you must know
- Stem cell treatment for these conditions remains investigational; it is not standard care.
- EHL Thailand is an information and consultation channel, not a clinic, and does not diagnose or prescribe.
- EHL BIO pipeline cell products have no published Thai registration status.
- The timings shown are a general example and may change with documents, extra tests and clinical judgement.
Related disease page
Degenerative Osteoarthritis
Degeneration of joint cartilage causing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.
Research cited in this journey
review · 2026
EHL BIO GMP cell manufacturing centre
Company public information describes the manufacturing centre, quality systems and cell handling processes. Certifications and current status should be verified at the source.
EHL BIO — GMP centerphase2 · 2024
MSC with scaffolds for focal cartilage defects
Improved symptom scores and partial lesion filling on imaging, but repair tissue is often fibrocartilage and long-term outcomes are unclear.
PubMedExperts involved
Profiles show only details checkable against public sources.
EHL BIO Stem Cell Research Institute
Stem cell therapeutics research and development team
ADSTEM (atopic dermatitis), KDSTEM (chronic kidney disease), RASTEM (rheumatoid arthritis), PDSTEM (Parkinson's disease) and adipose-derived exosome programmes
EHL BIO — Stem cell treatmentEHL Thailand Research Desk
Reviews articles, research summaries and clinical trial status
Careful reading of study results, including sample size, trial phase and limitations
Experts behind this content
EHL Thailand Research Desk — Careful reading of study results, including sample size, trial phase and limitations
EHL BIO scientific information is compiled alongside public information from its research team and GMP centre. See the full expert panel
Frequently asked questions
Last updated 3 Sept 2026