Application of Collagen Implants in Achilles Tendon Injuries

Achilles tendon injuries are common and complex especially in athletes and active people. Healing process occurs via scar tissue formation leading to poor outcomes for patients. Current surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities lead to sub-optimal tendon healing and each of them have complications. Therefore, to repair and restore tendon structure and function, a tendon graft is needed; therefore autografts, allografts and xenografts have been used. However, each of these grafts is associated with several limitations such as donor site morbidity and pain, poor biocompatibility, disease transmission and immune reaction which lead to graft rejection and failure. Tissue engineering is an advancing field that can either augment surgical repair or provide an alternative method for Achilles tendon repair. Among the components of tissue engineering technologies, the present article has discussed scaffolds and emphasized on collagen-based biomaterials. This article illustrated the causes behind the essential need for tissue engineering in Achilles tendon repair. Furthermore, it described the current literature regarding the use of collagen in Achilles tendon repair and the main points regarding application of collagen biomaterials and scaffolds in tendon tissue engineering.