diagnosed with mild to moderate osteoarthritis (visual analogue scale)

history of joint swelling, pain, stiffness, altered gait and loss of motion due to degenerative cartilage

any past history of neoplasia and primary hematological disease

autoimmune disease or the medical history

systemic bone or cartilage disorders

acute or chronic communicable diseases including hepatitis b, hepatitis c and hiv

co-morbidity which the physician deems as a contraindication to stem cell transplantation and bone marrow biopsy

evidence of infection or fractures in or around the joint

contraindication to bone marrow aspiration

deviation from the axial axis (varus or valgus) greater than 12 degrees.