Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Injection on a Grade III Medial Collateral Ligament Tear in a Soccer Player: A Case Report

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can divide and differentiate into various types of cells. This special ability makes stem cells a hopeful treatment for regenerating damaged tissue and restoring diminished or completely lost function. In this case study, we discuss a 19-year-old soccer player who presented with a Grade III MCL tear on the right knee. Treatment for a Grade III MCL tear is controversial being that both surgical and non-surgical approaches have been effective. However, due to the patient’s sports background, the patient came to our clinic seeking a faster recovery using a non-surgical treatment. After extensive medical examinations, the patient began a treatment based on adipose tissue-derived stem cells injection. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells were harvested and injected into the distal insertion of the superficial MCL and on the deep MCL origin. After 122 days the patient was able to practice full contact sports which is a significant decrease compared to a recent study that averaged surgical recovery time to 181 days. The recovery was supported by an MRI which demonstrated full regeneration of the previously damaged MCL. This case study demonstrates the potential stem cells have in both complementing and replacing surgical treatments for tissue repair. In addition, this case study demonstrates the efficacy of accelerating recovery of MCL tears using stem cells which inspires hope of using stem cells in similar pathologies. Therefore, more clinical trials should be conducted to further expand research on stem cell treatment in regenerative medicine.