What are the studies on the use of BPC-157 (Pentadecapeptide BPC 157) following orthopedic surgeries?

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Last updated: March 12, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

BPC-157 has limited clinical research supporting its use following orthopedic surgeries, and conventional evidence-based treatments remain the standard of care for orthopedic surgery recovery. Currently, there are no large-scale human clinical trials specifically examining BPC-157 for post-orthopedic surgery recovery. Most evidence comes from animal studies suggesting potential benefits for tendon, ligament, and bone healing. In rats and mice, BPC-157 has demonstrated acceleration of healing in Achilles tendon ruptures, improved bone healing in fracture models, and enhanced ligament repair. The typical experimental dosages in these animal studies range from 10 μg/kg to 10 ng/kg daily, administered either locally at the injury site or systemically. The proposed mechanism involves BPC-157 promoting angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), increasing growth factor expression, and modulating inflammatory responses.

Some key points to consider when evaluating the use of BPC-157 for orthopedic surgery recovery include:

  • Lack of standardization and quality control in commercial products
  • Absence of long-term safety data in humans
  • Need for properly designed human clinical trials to establish efficacy and safety
  • Importance of conventional evidence-based treatments in orthopedic surgery recovery, as highlighted by studies such as 1 which focus on preventing venous thromboembolism in orthopedic surgery patients.

It is essential to prioritize conventional evidence-based treatments for orthopedic surgery recovery, as recommended by recent guidelines such as 1, which emphasize the need for high-quality clinical trials and postmarket surveillance for biologic therapies. Until more robust evidence is available, patients should exercise caution when considering BPC-157 for orthopedic surgery recovery, and healthcare providers should rely on established treatment protocols.

From the Research

Studies on BPC-157

  • The use of BPC-157 has been studied in various contexts, including its potential to relieve knee pain and accelerate musculoskeletal soft tissue healing 2, 3.
  • A retrospective study published in 2021 found that intra-articular injection of BPC-157 helped relieve knee pain in 87.5% of patients, suggesting its potential as a treatment for multiple types of knee pain 2.
  • Another study published in 2019 reviewed the current literature on the use of BPC-157 for healing and functional restoration of soft tissue damage, including tendon, ligament, and skeletal muscle healing, and found consistently positive and prompt healing effects 3.

Orthopedic Surgeries

  • A study published in 2010 found that BPC-157 improved ligament healing in rats after surgical transection, suggesting its potential as a therapy for ligament injuries 4.
  • The study found that BPC-157 was effective in improving ligament healing when given intraperitoneally, per-orally, or topically, and exhibited consistent functional, biomechanical, macroscopic, and histological healing improvements.

Wound Healing

  • A review published in 2021 discussed the potential of BPC-157 in wound healing, including its ability to resolve vessel constriction, primary platelet plug, and fibrin mesh, and its effectiveness in counteracting bleeding disorders and thrombosis 5.
  • The review suggested that BPC-157 may have practical applicability in wound healing, given its ability to simultaneously cure cutaneous and other tissue wounds in rats.

Potential Applications

  • The studies suggest that BPC-157 may have potential applications in orthopedic surgeries, including the treatment of ligament injuries and the acceleration of musculoskeletal soft tissue healing 2, 3, 4.
  • Further research is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of BPC-157 in humans and to explore its potential applications in orthopedic surgeries.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Intra-Articular Injection of BPC 157 for Multiple Types of Knee Pain.

Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 2021

Research

Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (PL 14736) improves ligament healing in the rat.

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society, 2010

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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