Regenerative Medicine Solutions for Rotator Cuff Injuries in Athletes: Indications and Outcomes

Background: Rotator cuff injuries (RC) are common among athletes, often resulting from repetitive overhead movements and functional overload. These injuries can lead to significant pain, reduced mobility, and functional impairment, ultimately causing athletes to withdraw from their sport. Traditional treatment options include surgical repair and conservative management; however, these methods often have limited success, particularly in preventing re-tears. Consequently, there is growing interest in regenerative medical solutions aimed at improving outcomes for athletes suffering from RC injuries. Methods: This study reviews various regenerative medical strategies for treating RC injuries, focusing on platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cell therapies, and tissue engineering approaches. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to gather data on the pathophysiology of RC injuries, the effectiveness of various regenerative treatments, and their clinical outcomes, including an analysis of preclinical studies and clinical trials to assess the efficacy of these treatments in promoting tendon healing and reducing re-tear rates. Results: Findings indicate that regenerative medicine offers promising alternatives to traditional treatments for RC injuries. In PRP treatment, concentrated platelets from the patient’s blood are used to provide growth factors that stimulate healing at the injury site. While some studies report positive outcomes with PRP, results remain inconsistent across various trials. Stem cell therapy, particularly using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), has shown potential in enhancing tendon repair by promoting tissue regeneration and reducing inflammation. Recent studies indicate that mesenchymal stem cells can improve structural integrity post-surgery and significantly reduce the re-tear rate. Tissue engineering approaches are also being explored using scaffolds or bioactive agents to support tendon regeneration. Overall, while these regenerative treatments hold promise for improving clinical outcomes for athletes with RC injuries, further research is essential to establish standardized protocols and confirm their long-term efficacy. Conclusion: Regenerative medical solutions represent a transformative approach in managing rotator cuff injuries among athletes. Techniques such as PRP and stem cell therapy have emerged as viable options that may enhance recovery and functional improvement while minimizing the risk of re-injury. However, the variability in study outcomes highlights the need for more rigorous clinical trials to better understand the mechanisms of these treatments and optimize their application in athletic populations. Future research should focus on establishing best practices for integrating these therapies into standard care protocols for rotator cuff injuries.

کلیدواژه ها:

Rotator cuff injuries ، Regenerative medicine ، Platelet-rich plasma ، Stem cell therapy ، Tissue engineering ، Athletes