Peptide Therapy in Musculoskeletal Medicine¶
Injectable and regenerative peptide therapies in orthopaedics and sports medicine — what the evidence shows for tendon, cartilage and bone healing, and where the hype outpaces the data.
Overview¶
Injectable peptide therapy possesses significant therapeutic and regenerative potential, but there is a current lack of evidence to support its clinical use in orthopaedic and sports medicine [1]. While specific applications show promise in preclinical or niche settings, broad clinical adoption remains unsupported by robust human data.
Topical formulations demonstrate rapid symptomatic relief. EGYFIL, a topical lotion containing hyaluronic acid and peptides, is safe and reduces pain and stiffness in soft tissues during a 3-day treatment regimen, with effects observed as early as 3 hours after the first application [2]. In cartilage repair, therapeutic strategies for microfracture augmentation, such as those using growth factor-functionalized self-assembling peptide hydrogel scaffolds, can be cost-effective ways to improve cartilage healing outcomes [5]. Treatment of trochlear defects with only self-assembling peptide (KLD) or only microfracture results in an improvement in clinical symptoms compared with no treatment, likely due to different underlying causes for each treatment [7].
Regenerative mechanisms are well-documented in animal models. BMP-7 application significantly enhances the quality of tendon-to-bone healing by promoting structural maturation and functional stability [3]. GHRP-2 administration reduces M1 macrophage polarization and enhances histologic and biomechanical tendon-bone healing properties in a rat rotator cuff tear model [6]. Self-assembling peptides with hBMP7 biological activity promote the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into nucleus pulposus-like cells [8]. Biofunctionalized peptide-based hydrogels for BDNF delivery preserve axons and cause minimal inflammation in animals, indicating potential for developing therapies for severe spinal cord injury, although locomotor functional recovery was not observed [9].
Despite these mechanistic insights, clinical guidance for performance enhancement is cautious. The use of BPC-157 for sports performance and recovery is not recommended due to the absence of randomized controlled trials in human subjects and insufficient science to determine its effectiveness, safety profile, or clinical indications for sports enhancement [4].
Background & Causes¶
Injectable peptide therapy possesses significant therapeutic and regenerative potential [1]. Despite this potential, there is a current lack of evidence to support the clinical use of injectable peptides in orthopaedic and sports medicine [1].
Topical Peptide Formulations: EGYFIL, a topical lotion based on hyaluronic acid and peptides, is safe for the treatment of pain and stiffness in soft tissues [2]. EGYFIL reduces pain and stiffness in patients during a 3-day treatment course [2]. EGYFIL reduces pain and stiffness already after 3 hours from the first application [2].
Growth Factor and Peptide Augmentation: BMP-7 application significantly enhances the quality of tendon-to-bone healing by promoting structural maturation [3]. BMP-7 application significantly enhances the quality of tendon-to-bone healing by promoting functional stability [3]. Therapeutic strategies for microfracture augmentation, such as those using growth factor–functionalized self-assembling peptide hydrogel scaffolds, can be cost-effective ways to improve cartilage healing outcomes [5].
BPC-157 in Sports Medicine: The authors do not recommend the use of BPC-157 for sports performance and recovery [4]. There are no randomized controlled trials investigating the use of BPC-157 in human subjects [4]. The science is lacking to determine the overall effectiveness of BPC-157 for sports enhancement in athletes [4]. The science is lacking to determine the safety profile of BPC-157 for sports enhancement in athletes [4]. The science is lacking to determine the clinical indications of BPC-157 for sports enhancement in athletes [4].
Self-Assembling Peptides in Defect Repair: Treatment of trochlear defects with only KLD self-assembling peptides resulted in an improvement in clinical symptoms compared with no treatment [7]. Treatment of trochlear defects with only microfracture resulted in an improvement in clinical symptoms compared with no treatment [7]. Self-assembling peptides with hBMP7 biological activity promote the differentiation of ADSCs into nucleus pulposus-like cells [8].
Neurotrophic and Anti-Inflammatory Peptides: Biofunctionalized peptide-based hydrogel as an injectable scaffold for BDNF delivery can improve regeneration after spinal cord injury [9]. Axon preservation was observed in animals treated with BDNF-incorporated hydrogel [9]. Minimal inflammation was observed in animals treated with BDNF-incorporated hydrogel [9].
Peptide Modulation of Inflammation and Healing: GHRP-2 administration reduced M1 macrophage polarization in a rat rotator cuff tear model [6]. GHRP-2 enhanced histologic tendon-bone healing properties in a rat rotator cuff tear model [6]. GHRP-2 enhanced biomechanical tendon-bone healing properties in a rat rotator cuff tear model [6].
Symptoms & Presentation¶
Injectable Peptide Therapy: Current evidence lacks sufficient support for the clinical use of injectable peptide therapy in orthopaedic and sports medicine settings [1].
Topical Peptide Therapy: The topical lotion EGYFIL demonstrates efficacy in reducing pain and stiffness in soft tissues. Clinical benefits are observed during a 3-day treatment period [2]. Onset of action is rapid, with reductions in pain and stiffness evident as early as 3 hours after the first application [2].
Management¶
Injectable Peptide Therapy: Current clinical use in orthopaedic and sports medicine lacks sufficient evidence to support its application [1]. Specifically, the use of BPC-157 for sports performance and recovery is not recommended due to the absence of randomized controlled trials in human subjects and a lack of data regarding its effectiveness, safety profile, and clinical indications [4].
Topical Peptide Therapy: The topical lotion EGYFIL, containing hyaluronic acid and peptides, is safe for the treatment of pain and stiffness in soft tissues [2]. EGYFIL reduces pain and stiffness in patients within 3 days of treatment, with effects observed as early as 3 hours after the first application [2].
Peptide-Based Scaffolds and Hydrogels: Microfracture augmentation strategies, such as those using growth factor–functionalized self-assembling peptide hydrogel scaffolds, can be cost-effective methods to improve cartilage healing outcomes in an equine model [5]. Treatment of trochlear defects with only self-assembling peptide (KLD) or only microfracture improves clinical symptoms compared to no treatment in an equine model [7].
Biological Activity and Differentiation: Self-assembling peptides with hBMP7 biological activity promote the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into nucleus pulposus-like cells [8]. Biofunctionalized peptide-based hydrogels for BDNF delivery preserve axons and cause minimal inflammation in animals with spinal cord injury, indicating potential for further evaluation despite a lack of observed locomotor functional recovery [9].
Peptide Application in Tendon Healing: BMP-7 application enhances the quality of tendon-to-bone healing by promoting structural maturation and functional stability in a rat rotator cuff tear model [3]. GHRP-2 administration reduces M1 macrophage polarization and enhances histologic and biomechanical tendon-bone healing properties in a rat rotator cuff tear model [6].
Key Considerations¶
Clinical Evidence Gap: Injectable peptide therapy possesses significant therapeutic and regenerative potential; however, current evidence does not support its clinical use in orthopaedic and sports medicine [1].
Topical Applications: The topical lotion EGYFIL, containing hyaluronic acid and peptides, is safe and reduces pain and stiffness in soft tissues during a 3-day treatment course, with effects observed as early as 3 hours after the first application [2].
Tendon-to-Bone Healing: In a rat rotator cuff tear model, BMP-7 application significantly enhances the quality of tendon-to-bone healing by promoting structural maturation and functional stability [3]. GHRP-2 administration reduces M1 macrophage polarization and enhances histologic and biomechanical tendon-bone healing properties in the same model [6].
Cartilage and Defect Management: Therapeutic strategies for microfracture augmentation, such as those using growth factor–functionalized self-assembling peptide hydrogel scaffolds, can be cost-effective ways to improve cartilage healing outcomes in an equine model [5]. Treatment of clinically relevant trochlear defects with only self-assembling peptide (KLD) or only microfracture resulted in an improvement in clinical symptoms compared with no treatment, likely due to different causes for each treatment [7].
Stem Cell Differentiation: Self-assembling peptides with hBMP7 biological activity promote the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into nucleus pulposus-like cells [8].
Neurological Applications: Biofunctionalized peptide-based hydrogels for BDNF delivery can improve axon preservation and cause minimal inflammation after spinal cord injury, although locomotor functional recovery was not observed in the animal model [9].
Sports Performance: The use of BPC-157 for sports performance and recovery is not recommended due to the absence of randomized controlled trials in human subjects and insufficient science to determine its effectiveness, safety profile, or clinical indications for sports enhancement [4].
Key Evidence¶
- [L5] While peptide therapy may possess significant therapeutic and regenerative potential, it is critical that orthopaedic and sports medicine providers understand the current lack of evidence to support the clinical use of these peptides. (10.1177/03635465251357593)
- [L4] EGYFIL is safe and seems to reduce pain and stiffness in patients during the 3 days of treatment, already after 3 h from the first application. (10.1186/s12891-023-06903-y)
- [L5] BMP-7 application significantly enhances the quality of tendon-to-bone healing by promoting structural maturation and functional stability. (10.1016/j.jse.2026.04.003)
- [L5] The authors do not recommend the use of BPC-157 for sports performance and recovery because there are no randomized controlled trials investigating its use in human subjects, and the science is clearly lacking to determine the overall effectiveness, safety profile, and clinical indications for sports enhancement in athletes. (10.1016/j.arthro.2024.09.005)
- [L5] Therapeutic strategies for microfracture augmentation, such as those presented in this study, can be cost-effective ways to improve cartilage healing outcomes. (10.1177/03635465211021798)
- [L5] GHRP-2 administration reduced M1 macrophage polarization and enhanced histologic and biomechanical tendon-bone healing properties in a rat rotator cuff tear model. (10.1016/j.arthro.2024.11.094)
- [L5] Treatment of defects with only KLD or with only microfracture resulted in an improvement in clinical symptoms compared with no treatment; the improvement likely resulted from different causes depending on the treatment. (10.2106/jbjs.m.01408)
- [L5] The functionalized self-assembled peptide promotes the differentiation of ADSCs into nucleus pulposus-like cells. (10.1186/s13018-022-03102-8)
- [L5] Although locomotor functional recovery was not observed, axon preservation and minimal inflammation in animals treated with BDNF-incorporated hydrogel indicate the potentiality of the designed intervention for further evaluations in the path of developing efficient therapies for severe spinal cord injury. (10.1016/j.injury.2018.12.027)
References¶
[1] Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2026. DOI: 10.1177/03635465251357593
[2] A pre-market interventional, single-arm clinical investigation of a new topical lotion based on hyaluronic acid and peptides, EGYFILTM, for the treatment of pain and stiffness in soft tissues. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06903-y
[3] Effects of BMP-7 and Low Molecular Weight Peptide Solution on Healing in a Rotator Cuff Tear Model: A Histopathological and Biomechanical Study in Rats. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2026.04.003
[4] Injectable Therapeutic Peptides—An Adjunct to Regenerative Medicine and Sports Performance?. Arthroscopy. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2024.09.005
[5] Microfracture Augmentation With Trypsin Pretreatment and Growth Factor–Functionalized Self-assembling Peptide Hydrogel Scaffold in an Equine Model. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021. DOI: 10.1177/03635465211021798
[6] Growth Hormone–Releasing Peptide 2 May Be Associated With Decreased M1 Macrophage Production and Increased Histologic and Biomechanical Tendon‐Bone Healing Properties in a Rat Rotator Cuff Tear Model. Arthroscopy. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2024.11.094
[7] Effects of the Combination of Microfracture and Self-Assembling Peptide Filling on the Repair of a Clinically Relevant Trochlear Defect in an Equine Model. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2014. DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.m.01408
[8] Self-assembling peptides with hBMP7 biological activity promote the differentiation of ADSCs into nucleus pulposus-like cells. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2022. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-022-03102-8
[9] Biofunctionalized peptide-based hydrogel as an injectable scaffold for BDNF delivery can improve regeneration after spinal cord injury. Injury. 2019. DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2018.12.027