Conservative Treatment for Ankle Cartilage: Cellular and Acellular Therapies: A Systematic Review

Foot Ankle Clin. 2024 Jun;29(2):253-263. doi: 10.1016/j.fcl.2023.07.003. Epub 2023 Aug 29.

Abstract

Biological agents like growth factors (ie, platelet rich plasma) and mesenchymal stem cells are rising in popularity among orthopedics. Orthobiologics therapy aims to fill the gap between conventional conservative therapies like hyaluronic acid and surgery, especially for cartilage disease. Ankle cartilage defects are very symptomatic and could lead to a severe decrease of quality of life in patients, because of pain, swelling, and inability to walk without pain. In this scenario, this paper aims to systematically review the current literature available about biological therapies for ankle cartilage.

Keywords: Ankle; Ankle injection; Biological therapies; Cartilage; Conservative; Osteoarthritis; Osteochondral lesion of talus.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ankle Joint*
  • Cartilage Diseases / therapy
  • Cartilage, Articular*
  • Conservative Treatment*
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma