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– PRP is an autologous blood product that contains a high concentration of platelets and growth factors
– It is obtained by centrifuging a patient’s own blood to separate the platelet-rich fraction
– PRP has been shown to promote healing and regeneration of various musculoskeletal tissues, including tendons, ligaments, and cartilage
– Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of PRP in treating sports medicine injuries such as lateral epicondylitis, patellar tendinopathy, and hamstring strains
– A systematic review by Fitzpatrick et al. (2017) found that PRP injections were more effective than placebo in reducing pain and improving function in patients with lateral epicondylitis
– Another systematic review by Dupley and Charalambous (2017) reported that PRP injections were superior to other non-operative treatments for patellar tendinopathy in terms of pain reduction and functional improvement
– However, the optimal preparation and administration protocols for PRP remain unclear, and further research is needed to standardize its use in clinical practice
– BMAC is a concentrate of bone marrow that contains a high concentration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and growth factors
– It is obtained by aspirating bone marrow from the iliac crest and centrifuging it to separate the cellular components
– MSCs have the ability to differentiate into various musculoskeletal tissues, including bone, cartilage, and tendon
– BMAC has been investigated as a potential treatment option for various sports medicine injuries, such as cartilage defects, meniscal tears, and rotator cuff tears
– A case series by Gobbi et al. (2017) reported that BMAC injections resulted in significant improvements in pain and function in patients with focal cartilage defects of the knee at 2-year follow-up
– Another study by Hernigou et al. (2014) found that BMAC injections were effective in promoting healing of rotator cuff tears, with a lower re-tear rate compared to conventional surgical repair
– However, the evidence for BMAC in sports medicine injuries is still limited, and more high-quality studies are needed to establish its efficacy and safety
– ADSCs are mesenchymal stem cells that are derived from adipose tissue
– They can be obtained through a minimally invasive liposuction procedure and have similar regenerative properties to bone marrow-derived MSCs
– ADSCs have been investigated as a potential treatment option for various sports medicine injuries, such as osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, and ligament injuries
– A randomized controlled trial by Jo et al. (2014) found that ADSCs injections were more effective than placebo in reducing pain and improving function in patients with knee osteoarthritis at 6-month follow-up
– Another study by Lee et al. (2015) reported that ADSCs injections resulted in significant improvements in pain and function in patients with lateral epicondylitis at 1-year follow-up
– However, the optimal dose and administration protocol for ADSCs in sports medicine injuries remain unclear, and further research is needed to establish their long-term efficacy and safety
– ECM products are derived from decellularized mammalian tissues, such as porcine small intestine submucosa or bovine pericardium
– They contain a complex mixture of structural and functional proteins, glycosaminoglycans, and growth factors that can promote tissue repair and regeneration
– ECM products have been used as scaffolds for tissue engineering and as injectable agents for treating various sports medicine injuries, such as rotator cuff tears, Achilles tendinopathy, and muscle injuries
– A case series by Rotini et al. (2011) reported that injectable porcine small intestine submucosa was effective in promoting healing of proximal hamstring tendon avulsions, with all patients returning to their pre-injury level of sports activity
– Another study by Sicari et al. (2014) found that injectable ECM derived from porcine urinary bladder matrix was safe and effective in treating volumetric muscle loss injuries, with significant improvements in muscle strength and function
– However, the evidence for ECM products in sports medicine injuries is still limited, and more high-quality studies are needed to establish their efficacy and safety
©2025 Dr Frank McCormick All Rights Reserved.
©2025 Dr Frank McCormick All Rights Reserved.
