Overview on Small Molecule Biologic and Gene-Based Treatments in Sports Medicine

The use of biologic treatment strategies in the nonoperative and operative care of orthopaedic and sports injuries continues to expand in parallel with our understanding of the healing response after injuries. This is in large part because of the growing number of basic, translational, and clinical studies investigating the use of biologic augmentation in musculoskeletal care. Platelet-rich plasma, growth factors, and cell-based and gene-based treatments are among the most commonly explored options, and they have found varying levels of success in promoting soft tissue and osseous healing. Preclinical studies have illustrated the potential for broad application of biologic treatment strategies in orthopaedics. However, many important questions remain regarding delivery, efficacy, and safety of biologic treatments. Additional well-designed basic and clinical studies are of paramount importance to create evidence-based guidelines for the implementation of biologic treatments in orthopaedics.