ABSTRACT
Tendon injuries can result from almost any physical activity. The global burden of tendon injuries is largely due to the cost of care of the disabled young male population in the low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Tendon injuries account for considerable morbidity and often prove disabling for several months, despite what is considered appropriate management (Almekinders and Almekinders, 1994). Tendon injuries can be acute or chronic
CONTENTS
15.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 327 15.2 Growth Factors ........................................................................................... 329
15.2.1 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ........................................... 329 15.2.2 Insulin Growth Factor-I ................................................................330 15.2.3 Transforming Growth Factor β .................................................... 330 15.2.4 Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ................................................... 331 15.2.5 Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor .................................................... 331
15.3 Stem Cells .................................................................................................... 332 15.3.1 Embryonic Stem Cell ..................................................................... 332 15.3.2 Birth-Tissue-Derived Stem Cell ...................................................333 15.3.3 Adipose-Derived Stem Cell ..........................................................333 15.3.4 Human Bone Marrow Aspirate-Adherent Stem Cell ..............333 15.3.5 Tendon Stem Cell ...........................................................................334 15.3.6 Tenocytes .........................................................................................334
