ADVANCES IN STEM CELL THERAPY AND TISSUE ENGINEERING FOR TENDON AND MUSCLE REPAIR: A COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

AUTHORS :
Ahmed Adel Mansour KAMAR, Manuela Pădurariu, Alin-Stelian CIOBÎCĂ

ABSTRACT :

Tendon and muscle injuries are among the most common and challenging conditions in orthopaedic and sports medicine. Conventional treatments often fall short in achieving full functional recovery, especially in cases of chronic damage. Recent advances in regenerative medicine have positioned stem cell therapy as a promising alternative, offering targeted, biological repair mechanisms. This review synthesizes current literature on the classification, properties, and therapeutic applications of stem cells particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in musculoskeletal tissue regeneration. Emphasis is placed on tissue engineering strategies, gene therapy integration, and the cellular mechanisms underlying tendon and muscle healing. Preclinical models consistently demonstrate improved biomechanical strength, histological organization, and reduced fibrosis following stem cell treatment. While early clinical studies are promising, significant challenges remain regarding safety, immunogenicity, delivery systems, and long-term outcomes. Future research should focus on standardizing protocols, enhancing scaffold-cell integration, and evaluating large-scale clinical efficacy to facilitate the safe translation of these therapies into mainstream clinical practice.


KEYWORDS :
Cellular therapy, Gene therapy., Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), Muscle repair, Stem cells, Tendon regeneration, Tissue engineering