Evaluation of Patellar Tendon Structural Changes Following Biological Treatments: Secondary Analysis of Double-Blinded Clinical Trial of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma

This study evaluates the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) and leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (Lp-PRP) on tendon structure and clinical outcomes in 20 male patients with patellar tendinopathy using ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC) technology. Conducted as a double-blinded clinical trial, the study found that BM-MSC treatment was more effective than Lp-PRP in promoting tendon regeneration, organization, restoring strength, and reducing pain over 3, 6, and 12 months. Lp-PRP showed higher disorganized echo-types in the mid-tendon, indicating less favorable structural changes compared to BM-MSC. Overall, BM-MSC demonstrated a superior capacity for improving tendon health in the studied patients.