Mesenchymal stem cells in facet joint articular cartilage regeneration: Potential future perspectives

Facet joint osteoarthritis (facet syndrome) has been suggested to be one of the key pain generators in degenerative spinal conditions. Treatment options for facet syndrome include physical therapy, intra-articular injections, radiofrequency ablation, and surgery. Tissue engineering offers promise for the treatment of various musculoskeletal system disorders. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have multipotent characteristics and can differentiate into various tissues including articular cartilage. In this article, we analyze the literature and emphasize potential advantages and future perspectives in the treatment of articular facet joint cartilage defects using MSCs.