The role of growth factors in tendon stimulation

Repair and healing of injured and diseased tendons are traditionally a significant clinical problem, fraught with apprehension and difficulties, and often result to rather inconsistent outcomes. Innovative strategies like tissue engineering have opened new appealing venues for treatment of tendon disorders and injuries. Tissue engineering strategies aim to tendon regeneration using the ability of numerous growth factors to promote tendon healing, as demonstrated in animal and in vitro models. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a whole blood fraction which contains several growth factors. Many studies assessed the effect of PRP and other individual growth factors on the musculoskeletal system during the last decade. Future studies are needed to optimize delivery techniques and to delineate correct dosage, timing, and quantification of PRP application as well as to examine the effects of single or multiple growth factors administration on the regenerative and healing processes of a given soft tissue and therefore to support their use in clinical practice.