Title:Use of Stem Cells and Growth Factors in Rotator Cuff Tendon Repair
VOLUME: 10 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Engin Akyol, Sandip Hindocha and Wasim S. Khan
Affiliation:University College London Medical School, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
Keywords:Growth factor, ligaments, mesenchymal stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, repair of rotator cuff tendons, stem cells.
Abstract:In this review, we analysed the role of stem cell and growth factor therapy on rotator cuff tendon
repair. The injury to the rotator cuff tendons can be sustained in numerous ways and generally causes significant
pain and disability to the affected individual. Following surgical repair of ruptured rotator cuff tendons
re-rupture rates can be as high as 20-60%. In order to augment this repair process and to decrease the re-rupture rates tissue
engineering methods can be used. These include the use of stem cells and growth factors. Mesenchymal stem cells are
stem cells which can differentiate into a variety of connective tissue cell types and can therefore be utilised in repairing
tendons. So far there has only been one human study using stem cells in rotator cuff tendon repair. This study has produced
a positive result but consisted of only 14 patients and lacks a control group for comparison. Similar work has also
been done using growth factors. Both individual and combination growth factor therapy have been used to improve rotator
cuff tendon repair. However, the results so far have been disappointing with growth factors. For the purpose of future
studies better techniques should be explored with regards to the delivery of stem cells and growth factors as well as the
possibility of combining growth factor and stem cell therapy to improve repair rates.
