Figure 5.

Changes of WOMAC score during the one-year follow-up period after intra-articular injection of BM-MSCs (circle) and HA (square). An increasing trend in WOMAC score in the HA group indicated progression with worsening pain, stiffness and functional limitations. The WOMAC score of a) total score, b) pain score, c) stiffness score and d) physical function at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months were shown as mean ​± ​standard deviation. Compared with HA, BM-MSCs injection led to significantly lower WOMAC score at the later time points of follow-up. ∗P ​< ​0.05 in two-sample t test with Welch's correction or Mann-Whiney U test. #P ​< ​0.05 in Bonferroni's correction multiple comparisons test. WOMAC, Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index; BM-MSCs, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells; HA, hyaluronic acid; Mon, month(s).