Biologic therapies in the management of sports-related tendon and ligament injuries: a narrative review
Koshy, David Koshy, Daniel I Ooi, Emma
Koshy, David
Koshy, Daniel I
Ooi, Emma
Affiliation
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust; St John of God Midland Public Hospital; Barts Health NHS Trust; University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
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Publication date
2025-05-21
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Abstract
Sports-related tendon and ligament injuries are common among athletes and active individuals, often resulting in prolonged recovery and compromised performance. Traditional management strategies, including physiotherapy and surgical repair, may not yield optimal outcomes, prompting growing interest in biologic therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and other regenerative modalities. This targeted narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the application of biologic therapies in treating tendon and ligament injuries, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and limitations. Relevant studies were identified through a focused search of PubMed and Google Scholar from 2010 to 2024. PRP demonstrates sustained pain and function improvement in chronic tendinopathies, whereas MSCs show promise in enhancing graft integrity in ligament reconstruction; however, variability in preparation protocols and limited long-term randomized controlled trials constrain firm conclusions. Emerging approaches, including exosomes and scaffold-based delivery systems, offer new avenues for enhancing tissue healing. Biologic interventions hold considerable promise in augmenting soft tissue injury treatment, but standardized protocols and further high-quality trials are needed to support widespread adoption.
Citation
Koshy D, Koshy DI, Ooi E. Biologic Therapies in the Management of Sports-Related Tendon and Ligament Injuries: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2025 May 21;17(5):e84556. doi: 10.7759/cureus.84556
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Article