The purpose of this study is to summarize evidence for the use of adipose stem cell (ASC) injections in the treatment of rotator cuff tears (RCT) and identify future areas of study. A thorough literature search was performed to identify studies investigating the use of ASC injections in the treatment of RCTs. Among animal trials, it is unclear whether ASCs are of benefit for rotator cuff repair. In clinical trials, ASC injection may reduce retear rate with otherwise equivocal clinical outcomes. Although ASC injection may be safe, the literature does not provide a clear consensus as to the efficacy of ASC injections, nor does it delineate which patients would benefit most from this treatment.

Plain language summary

The purpose of this paper is to review available studies that look at the effects of adipose stem cell (ASC) injections in the treatment of rotator cuff tears (RCT). A thorough literature search of all available studies was performed. Among lab studies in animals, it is unclear if ASCs help improve the outcomes of rotator cuff repair. In studies using live patients, ASC injection may reduce retear rate, but it is unclear whether there are any other benefits to ASC injection. ASC injection is safe in humans, but the literature does not provide a clear consensus as to how much benefit this treatment provides for rotator cuff repair, nor does it delineate which patients would benefit most from this treatment.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest

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Vol. 17, No. 7

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Received 28 November 2021

Accepted 7 April 2022

Published online 19 May 2022

Published in print July 2022

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Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.futuremedicine.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/rme-2021-0166

Author contributions

JR Warren: conceptualization; data curation; formal analysis; investigation; methodology; resources; writing – original draft; writing – review & editing. LS Khalil: conceptualization; data curation; formal analysis; investigation; methodology; project administration; resources; supervision; writing – original draft; writing – review & editing. AD Pietroski: conceptualization; data curation; formal analysis; investigation; methodology; resources; writing – original draft; writing – review & editing. SJ Muh: conceptualization; investigation; methodology; project administration; resources; supervision; visualization; writing – original draft; writing – review & editing.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

SJ Muh is a paid consultant for Depuy, A Johnson and Johnson Company; and Exactech, Inc. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

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