Meeting current musculoskeletal health demand through deeper insights into tissue homeostasis and regeneration

Abstract

The burden of chronic musculoskeletal disorders is challenging and prompts therapeutic advancements. The notion that chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis and tendinopathy are linked to deficient healing by failure of one or several of the cellular/molecular processes involved is gaining ground. Alterations underpinning disruption of healing mechanisms that contribute to the development of chronic musculoskeletal pathologies include unresolved inflammation, abnormal angiogenic status, alterations in paracrine communication, decline in stem cell functioning and inability to maintain homeostasis in the extracellular matrix compartment. The complexity of failed healing may be challenged with interventions that target multiple biological processes such as cell therapies and/or platelet-rich plasma.

Keywords:

• cell therapies
• osteoarthritis
• platelet-rich plasma
• tendinopathy
• tissue healing

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents, received or pending, or royalties.