There is interest and research developing in the regenerative medicine field, particularly in sports performance and treatment of sports injuries, according to Vail Daily.
Here are five highlights:
1. Researchers have performed more than 500 clinical trials evaluating mesenchymal stem cells and 180-plus trials evaluating platelet rich plasma.
2. Currently the FDA does not allow orthopedists in the US to harvest mesenchymal stem cells from bone and expand these cells in culture for injection into an arthritic knee.
3. Because the use of embryonic stem cells is highly regulated, adult stem cells are used in orthopedic sports medicine treatment.
4. Platelet rich plasma injections have proven more effective than hyaluronate injections for the treatment of mild to moderate arthritis in younger and middle aged patients.
5. Studies are looking at injecting bone marrow aspirate at the time of rotator cuff repairs.