Abstract
Objective: This study provides an overview of stem cell therapies in orthopedic regenerative medicine, evaluating the current research on their application in joint repair and cartilage regeneration. The research aims to identify potential clinical applications and challenges for widespread implementation.
Methods:
A comprehensive narrative review was conducted using peer-reviewed literature published in English up to 2024. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for studies related to stem cell therapy in orthopedics. Both preclinical and clinical studies focusing on mesenchymal stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, bone marrow–derived stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells were included. The review was contextualized using observational insights from a tertiary care hospital in Punjab, Pakistan, where regenerative orthopedic interventions had been increasingly explored. Data were synthesized qualitatively to assess therapeutic efficacy, safety, and translational feasibility.
Research Type: Review Research
Results:
The findings indicated that stem cell–based therapies demonstrated promising regenerative potential in cartilage repair, osteoarthritis management, tendon healing, and bone regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells were the most extensively studied and showed favorable outcomes in pain reduction, functional improvement, and tissue regeneration. However, variability in cell sources, preparation techniques, dosing protocols, and follow-up durations limited cross-study comparability. Ethical concerns, regulatory constraints, high costs, and lack of standardized clinical guidelines remained significant barriers to widespread adoption.
Conclusion:
Stem cell therapy represented a rapidly evolving and potentially transformative approach in orthopedic regenerative medicine. While early clinical outcomes were encouraging, robust randomized controlled trials, standardized treatment protocols, and long-term safety data were required before routine clinical implementation could be recommended. Addressing infrastructural and regulatory challenges was particularly crucial for sustainable adoption in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan.