Stem Cells vs. Arthritis: Breaking Down the Data: What a US Study Revealed

‍What Happened When 21 Dogs with Arthritis Tried Stem Cell Therapy?

At Elita Genetics, we keep a close eye on global studies in stem cell medicine to help guide where we focus our efforts locally. Alongside insights from vets and pet owners here in Australia, international research helps us understand what’s working, and what still needs more data.

Whenever a study catches our attention, we’ll break it down here in plain language and always link to the full paper so you can dig in yourself if you’d like to learn more.

This particular trial from the US looked at something close to our hearts, the use of stem cells to support dogs living with osteoarthritis. And while no study is perfect, the results are worth talking about.

A quick summary of the study

In this 2007 double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (that’s science-speak for a well-designed study), 21 dogs with osteoarthritis in both hips were recruited. Each had been living with pain and stiffness for over six months.

Half the dogs were treated with a single injection of their own stem cells, isolated from fat tissue and injected into their hip joints. The other half received a placebo. Neither the owners nor the vets assessing the dogs knew which group they were in.

Over 90 days, the researchers measured lameness, pain, mobility and overall function, both through clinical assessments and owner reports.

What were they measuring?

Vets used standardised scoring systems to look at:

• Lameness at walk and trot
• Pain when the joint was manipulated
• Range of motion
• Overall functional disability

Owners were also asked to complete surveys, rating their dog’s ability to do everyday things like climbing stairs, squatting to toilet, or playing voluntarily.

What did they find?

Dogs who received stem cells showed statistically significant improvements in lameness, pain, and range of motion at every checkpoint (30, 60 and 90 days after treatment).

Put simply, some dogs who were persistently lame began walking with only occasional stiffness.

And while the “functional disability” scores were more variable, the broader clinical picture showed that stem cells made a measurable difference.

A few of the dogs were reportedly facing euthanasia due to pain before the study began. After treatment, their owners reported enough improvement to hold off, and continued enjoying time together.

So, is this a miracle cure?

No, and it’s always good to remember that nothing is a miracle cure. This was a small study, and the results weren’t universally dramatic. But the findings do align with what many vets using stem cells in clinical practice have been seeing anecdotally.

At Elita Genetics, we’re excited by results like these. They help shape how we think about what might be possible here in Australia, and where stem cell therapy could head in the years to come. These are the kinds of studies we hope to emulate with our own patients as we grow.

Want to read the full study?

Your can read the full peer-reviewed study here

Ready to secure your pet’s future health options? sign up here to store their stem cells today and be prepared for whatever life throws at them tomorrow.