3D-Printed Hydrogels in Orthopedics: Developments, Limitations, and Perspectives

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been used in medical research and practice for several years. Various aspects can affect the finished product of 3D printing, and it has been observed that the impact of the raw materials used for 3D printing is unique. Currently, hydrogels, including various natural and synthetic materials, are the most biologically and physically advantageous biological raw materials, and their use in orthopedics has increased considerably in recent years. 3D-printed hydrogels can be used in the construction of extracellular matrix during 3D printing processes. In addition to providing sufficient space structure for osteogenesis and chondrogenesis, hydrogels have shown positive effects on osteogenic and chondrogenic signaling pathways, promoting tissue repair in various dimensions. 3D-printed hydrogels are currently attracting extensive attention for the treatment of bone and joint injuries owing to the above-mentioned significant advantages. Furthermore, hydrogels have been recently used in infection prevention because of their antiseptic impact during the perioperative period. However, there are a few shortcomings associated with hydrogels including difficulty in getting rid of the constraints of the frame, poor mechanical strength, and burst release of loadings. These drawbacks could be overcome by combining 3D printing technology and novel hydrogel material through a multi-disciplinary approach. In this review, we provide a brief description and summary of the unique advantages of 3D printing technology in the field of orthopedics. In addition, some 3D printable hydrogels possessing prominent features, along with the key scope for their applications in bone joint repair, reconstruction, and antibacterial performance, are discussed to highlight the considerable prospects of hydrogels in the field of orthopedics.

A novel wound dressing material for full-thickness skin defects composed of a crosslinked acellular swim bladder

“…Natural collagen material plays a vital role in promoting wound healing since it is an essential substance that exists abundantly in human tissues (Wang et al, 2019;Jafari et al, 2020). These materials are usually combined with other materials to enhance mechanical strength (Attasgah et al, 2022;Liu et al, 2022). Collagen-rich animal extracellular matrix (ECM) is of great interest because collagen is a chemical attractant of fibroblasts.…”

Hydrogels—A Promising Materials for 3D Printing Technology

“…The bulk of the healing properties of existing repair materials are present in 3D-printed hydrogel materials, but they also offer outstanding ductility, hydrophilicity, and histocompatibility. Therefore, hydrogels have tremendous potential for repairing bone and joint tissue, fighting infection, and even treating tumors due to their unique benefits [ 121 ].…”

Hybrid Hydrogels with Orthogonal Transient Cross-linking Exhibiting Highly Tunable Mechanical Properties

“…They have great potential to be biocompatible due to their structural similarity to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Their high water content and chemical versatility have spurred enormous interest in medical applications like tissue engineering and wound dressings. − However, the large span of potential applications requires accessibility to an equally broad range of mechanical properties, which are often difficult to obtain with compositionally simplistic formulations and conventional molecular architectures. Especially for load-bearing tissues, such as cartilage in the meniscus, obtaining the desired mechanical properties remains a challenge.…”