Advances in injured tendon engineering with emphasis on the role of collagen implants

Abstract

Tendon injuries represent a significant clinical challenge to orthopaedic surgeons and investigators. Recently, many investigators claimed the beneficial effects of tissue engineering technologies in full-thickness tendon and ligament injuries both in vivo and in vitro. In this regard, several fabrication technologies with various types of biomaterials have been specially developed in recent years. In the present review, designing, fabrication and application of tissue-engineered products accentuating the role of collagen bioimplants in tendon tissue engineering is discussed. In addition, the collagen-based hybridized bioimplants and those with assembled biomolecules and stem cells together with their potencies in the future of tissue engineering are discussed. The blind points of previous studies are also magnified and some suggestions are provided for those who are going to link tissue engineering technologies with clinical situations.