More research needed to fully harness power of stem cells in sports medicine
Stem cells have demonstrated promise across all facets of medicine, including sports medicine, where early results have exhibited the potential for enhanced cartilage, tendon and meniscal healing.
These results have increased demand among patients. Several high-profile professional athletes, including National Football League players Chris Johnson and Peyton Manning and Cy Young-winning pitcher Bartolo Colon, have sought relatively untested cell-based therapies for sports-related injuries.
Still, many aspects of stem cells remain unknown. In this issue, Orthopedics Today talks to leaders in stem cell research and medicine to find out how these burgeoning therapies can be applied in sports medicine, whether there is sufficient evidence to support their widespread use and what obstacles block their use.
Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have a capacity for prolonged self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into a variety of specialized cell types, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
