Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41174981›Full record

ArticleCartilage2025

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate to Treat Ankle Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review of Progress and Challenges.

Sophie E Hines, Meagan J Makarczyk, Eva Heidinger, Jiangyinzi Shang, Hang Lin, MaCalus V Hogan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cartilage, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Sophie E HinesDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Meagan J MakarczykDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Eva HeidingerDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Jiangyinzi ShangDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Hang LinDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-0781-6630
MaCalus V HoganDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

ObjectiveCurrently, there is a wide range of therapeutics that can be used to treat ankle osteoarthritis (OA), but none of them are able to fully restore the function of the ankle joint long-term. In this narrative review, we aim to summarize the current progress of using bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) for treating ankle OA.DesignPubMed was searched for publications that were published from 1990 until September 1, 2025 (moment of search). Key search terms were bone marrow aspirate concentrate and ankle OA. This yielded 17 hits, of which 10 were included in this narrative review.ResultsBMAC may enhance cartilage repair in ankle injuries and OA, especially when it is used in combination with other surgical techniques and biological treatments. However, the body of supporting evidence remains largely composed of Level II to IV studies (case-control and retrospective series). In addition, the independent role of BMAC remains unclear due to the lack of studies evaluating BMAC as a stand-alone treatment, as well as the unclear role that it plays as an adjuvant therapy.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the existing literature investigating BMAC for ankle OA is encouraging but remains inconclusive. High-quality randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols, longer follow-up, and head-to-head comparison against other treatment options are needed to establish both efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Establishing minimal reporting standards for BMAC composition is also critical to improve consistency across studies.

Indexed as

anklebone marrow aspirate concentratemesenchymal stem cellsosteoarthritisposttraumatic osteoarthritis

Identifiers

PMID41174981
PMCPMC12579593

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.