Evaluating Wharton’s Jelly Applications for Hip Connective Tissue Defects
More than 350,000 hip replacements are performed annually in the U.S., and many patients seek conservative, minimally invasive approaches before considering surgery. This study explores the use of Wharton’s Jelly (WJ) connective tissue allografts as a supplemental option for patients with hip-related soft tissue defects.
The research involved participating clinicians from 26 private practices, including specialists in physical medicine, rehabilitation, pain medicine, and orthopedics. Their collective goal was to evaluate real-world outcomes in patients receiving WJ allografts after conservative treatment had not provided sufficient improvement.
Study Overview
- Design: Retrospective review across multiple private practices.
- Participants: 69 patients with hip connective tissue defects who had failed at least 8 weeks of conservative care.
- Intervention: Single application of a Wharton’s Jelly allograft, with patient outcomes monitored for 90 days.
Clinical Significance
Patient progress was evaluated using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Quality of Life Scale (QOLS), and the Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Statistically significant improvements were observed from baseline to Day 90 for NPRS and WOMAC scores.
Improvements were reported across age groups and were especially notable in older adults, supporting continued research on how WJ allografts may supplement age-related connective tissue degeneration.
Advancing Evidence-Based Regenerative Care
Given the scale of musculoskeletal conditions that lead to joint replacement procedures, continued research on tissue-specific allografts remains essential. This study adds to a growing body of literature examining the role of WJ in supplementing damaged soft tissues and highlights the value of further evaluating safety, application methods, and dosing protocols—particularly in patients over age 65.
Regenative Labs is expanding its retrospective outcomes repository to support additional research, encourage physician participation, and help identify new areas where connective tissue supplementation may be clinically relevant.