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Safety and Efficacy of Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Chronic Patellar Tendinopathy: 12-Month Follow-up Results

A clinical trial investigated the use of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) for chronic patellar tendinopathy, a condition causing knee pain and impaired function. The study involved 20 patients with chronic patellar tendinopathy. Half were initially treated with BM-derived mesenchymal stem cell injections. The other half were treated with a different method of leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (Lp-PRP) injections. After 12 months, both groups were assessed. Results showed that the Lp-PRP injections showed no improvements in pain at the 12-month point. However, the patients treated with BM-derived mesenchymal stem cell injections continued to experience significant improvements in pain relief and tendon structure, as seen in MRI scans. Moreover, the group initially treated with Lp-PRP and later with BM-derived mesenchymal stem cell injections also improved, though the improvement in sports-related pain was not as significant. For a typical patient, this implies that BM-derived mesenchymal stem cell treatment could be a promising option for addressing chronic patellar tendinopathy, offering a safe and effective approach for pain reduction and improved tendon health. However, using Lp-PRP beforehand might not provide additional advantages based on the findings of this study. Patients need to discuss these treatment options with their healthcare provider to determine the most suitable approach for their condition.