Hydrogel-based treatment of ACL injuries: mechanisms, applications and prospects

IF 6.3 2区化学 Q1 POLYMER SCIENCE

European Polymer Journal Pub Date : 2025-08-15 DOI:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114222

Qinghua Meng , Nan Zhang , Miaomiao Xiao , Luxing Zhou, Hongshuai Leng, Chunyu Bao

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Competitive sports impose exceptionally high loads on the knee joint, requiring athletes to perform frequent jumps, rapid directional changes, and abrupt stops. These complex dynamic stresses significantly increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Hydrogels, as biodegradable and biocompatible biomaterials, offer excellent mechanical properties and structural tunability, making them highly suitable for various therapeutic strategies. However, a comprehensive review of functional hydrogels for ACL injury treatment remains lacking. This work systematically reviews the key pathological mechanisms underlying ACL injuries and highlights the advantages of hydrogels in their treatment, including their natural biocompatibility and drug delivery potential. Finally, emerging developments in hydrogel-based ACL treatments are discussed, providing insights into future therapeutic approaches and clinical applications.

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水凝胶治疗前交叉韧带损伤：机制、应用和前景

竞技运动对膝关节施加了极高的负荷，要求运动员进行频繁的跳跃、快速的方向变化和突然的停止。这些复杂的动态应力显著增加了前交叉韧带（ACL）损伤的风险。水凝胶作为可生物降解和生物相容性的生物材料，具有优异的力学性能和结构可调性，非常适合于各种治疗策略。然而，功能性水凝胶治疗前交叉韧带损伤的全面回顾仍然缺乏。本研究系统地回顾了前交叉韧带损伤的主要病理机制，并强调了水凝胶在治疗前交叉韧带损伤中的优势，包括其天然的生物相容性和药物传递潜力。最后，讨论了基于水凝胶的ACL治疗的新进展，为未来的治疗方法和临床应用提供了见解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

European Polymer Journal 化学-高分子科学

CiteScore

9.90

自引率

10.00%

发文量

691

审稿时长

23 days

期刊介绍： European Polymer Journal is dedicated to publishing work on fundamental and applied polymer chemistry and macromolecular materials. The journal covers all aspects of polymer synthesis, including polymerization mechanisms and chemical functional transformations, with a focus on novel polymers and the relationships between molecular structure and polymer properties. In addition, we welcome submissions on bio-based or renewable polymers, stimuli-responsive systems and polymer bio-hybrids. European Polymer Journal also publishes research on the biomedical application of polymers, including drug delivery and regenerative medicine. The main scope is covered but not limited to the following core research areas: Polymer synthesis and functionalization • Novel synthetic routes for polymerization, functional modification, controlled/living polymerization and precision polymers. Stimuli-responsive polymers • Including shape memory and self-healing polymers. Supramolecular polymers and self-assembly • Molecular recognition and higher order polymer structures. Renewable and sustainable polymers • Bio-based, biodegradable and anti-microbial polymers and polymeric bio-nanocomposites. Polymers at interfaces and surfaces • Chemistry and engineering of surfaces with biological relevance, including patterning, antifouling polymers and polymers for membrane applications. Biomedical applications and nanomedicine • Polymers for regenerative medicine, drug delivery molecular release and gene therapy The scope of European Polymer Journal no longer includes Polymer Physics.