Early Graft Tunnel Healing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Intratunnel Injection of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Abstract

Intratunnel injections of BM-MSCs and VEGF after ACL reconstruction enhanced graft tunnel healing. Overall, the femoral tunnel that received BM-MSCs and VEGF had better advanced healing with increased collagen type III fibers and better outcomes on MRI and biomechanical analysis. MRI is the most reliable tool for clinical use in evaluating stages of ACL healing after reconstruction, since biopsy is an invasive procedure.