The regeneration of damaged connective tissue: wishful thinking or reality?

This review examines the current status of various cellular and non-cellular regeneration technologies used for the repair and regeneration of damaged connective tissue. The article explores the clinical use of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, growth factors, cytokines, platelet-rich plasma and GOLDIC® method. To compare the regenerative capacity of these technologies, a systematic analysis of the regeneration quality is necessary, and a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a quality scoring system is needed. It is likely that in future clinical practice a combination of such technologies will offer the optimal treatment to patients with different connective tissue disorders, which must always be our ultimate goal.