Background and purpose: Sports injuries are a frequent problem for athletes, and in severe cases, can lead to irreversible tissue damage, chronic pain, and restricted movement. Traditional treatments like physical therapy and surgery may not fully restore function and can prolong recovery. Regenerative medicine offers innovative approaches by leveraging the body's natural healing mechanisms. This review aims to comprehensively outline the current landscape of regenerative medicine in sports injury treatment, emphasizing its potential benefits and limitations based on recent research findings.
Methods: In this review, we systematically searched for relevant articles published between January 2022 and May 2024. The databases used for the literature search included Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science (WOS), and Science Direct. The search strategy employed a combination of keywords related to "regenerative medicine," "sports injuries," "treatment efficacy," and "clinical outcomes." From the initial identification of 40 articles, 20 were excluded based on a detailed review, however applying final evaluation, resulting in 11 articles remained for analysis.
Findings: The findings of seven studies indicated that stem cells and platelet-rich plasma for tendon and ligament injuries can promote healing, reduce inflammation, and enhance tissue regeneration. Two other studies reported promising results for exosome therapy in managing soft tissue injuries in sports medicine. Another study highlighted the potential of microfluidic devices in revolutionizing the monitoring and optimization of athletes' performance. Additionally, a study noted that hyaluronic acid-alginate hybrid filler with hydroxyapatite-titanium nanoparticles shows promise as a new and potentially beneficial intervention for athletes requiring tissue repair and regenerative therapy.
Conclusion: These results suggest that cell therapy and regenerative medicine can significantly improve athletes' quality of life by accelerating recovery and enhancing tissue repair. The promising outcomes of stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, and exosome therapies indicate their potential to revolutionize sports injury treatment. Additionally, advanced technologies like microfluidic devices and hybrid fillers offer new avenues for optimizing performance. However, further research and clinical trials are necessary to fully understand their long-term efficacy and safety. |
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