Gene therapy in tendon ailments

Abstract

The treatment of musculoskeletal disorders has improved during the last 20 years due to enormous progress in the understanding of basic biology and biomechanical principles. Based on this knowledge, new conservative methods, minimally invasive operative techniques, modern rehabilitation programs, and innovative approaches were developed and successfully applied for treatment. Despite this progress, there are still limitations in the therapy of musculoskeletal tissues with a limited healing capacity [1]. Tendon tissue has a low blood supply, cell turnover, and metabolism, similar to menisci or articular cartilage. For this reason, the healing of tendon injuries is prolonged and often results in the formation of inferior scars or remaining lesions [2]. In orthopedics, both the healing of acute tendon ruptures and degenerative changes of the tendons represent a serious problem for the clinician. New approaches have been investigated to improve the healing of tendon tissue and to develop new, biological therapies for tendon ailments [3].