The Clinical Application of Gel-Based Composite Scaffolds in Rotator Cuff Repair

Rotator cuff tears are a common injury that can be treated with or without surgical intervention. Gel-based scaffolds have gained significant attention in the field of tissue engineering, particularly for applications like rotator cuff repair. Scaffolds can be biological, synthetic, or a mixture of both materials. Collagen, a primary constituent of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in musculoskeletal tissues, is one of the most widely used materials for gel-based scaffolds in rotator cuff repair, but other ECM-based and synthetic-based composite scaffolds have also been utilized. These composite scaffolds can be engineered to mimic the biomechanical and biological properties of natural tissues, supporting the healing process and promoting regeneration. Various clinical studies examined the effectiveness of these composite scaffolds with collagen, ECM and synthetic polymers and provided outstanding results with remarkable improvements in range of motion (ROM), strength, and pain. This review explores the material composition, manufacturing process and material properties of gel-based composite scaffolds as well as their clinical outcomes for the treatment of rotator cuff injuries.