Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy with Autologous Adipose-derived Stromal Vascular Fraction : Results of a Randomized Prospective Clinical Trial

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Objectives: Achilles tendinopathy commonly occurs in both active and inactive persons. It consists in the development of pain and inflammation in the early phases, with progression to the development of fibrotic tissue and degeneration of tendon matrix. Current conservative treatment approaches do not provide sustained satisfactory results, particularly in active patients, although platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection have shown to be effective in many cases. The therapeutic effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs), either expanded or used directly within the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), have demonstrated to possess significant anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, mediated by the release of active factors, and thus potentially useful in the treatment of tendinopathy. Methods: Patients affected by non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy (range 18-55 y/o) were prospectively enrolled in this controlled study, and randomly assigned either to single PRP injection group (GPSIII kit, Biomet, USA) (n=28 tendons) or single adipose tissue SVF (FastKit, Corios, Italy) (n=28 tendons) injection group. All patients were assessed clinically pre-operatively and at 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 days from treatment, using VAS Pain, VISA-A, AOFAS and SF-36 forms. Patients also underwent to US and MRI before treatment and then at 4 and 6 month-follow-ups. An aliquot of SVF of

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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