A RESEARCH team from China has created a groundbreaking injectable “bone glue” that could transform the surgical treatment of comminuted fractures (where bone is broken into several pieces). The adhesive not only sticks bone fragments together but also promotes bone-healing and immune-modulating activity.
What is it and how does it work?
The adhesive is a dual-biomimetic hydrogel made from a network of organic and inorganic components: caffeic acid-grafted collagen (CAC), aminated laponite (ALAP) and tetra-PEG-SC (a chemically-activated polyethylene glycol). This combination gives the material dramatic mechanical strength, withstanding up to 98 % compression and 600 % tensile deformation, allowing it to hold bone fragments in place even in a blood-rich surgical field.
Evidence of effectiveness
In preclinical tests, the “glue” was used in rabbit radius fractures and porcine femur fractures. The treated bones showed over double the biomechanical and radiological performance compared with bones fixed using commercial cyanoacrylate adhesives.
The researchers also found signs of oxidative-stress reduction and M2 macrophage polarisation, indicating that the adhesive actively supports bone healing and modulates the immune response around the fracture site.
Why it matters
Comminuted fractures are notoriously difficult to fix because of the many small fragments and high risk of non-union or mal-union. Traditional metal plates and screws have limitations, especially in small or irregular fragments. A strong adhesive that both stabilises and encourages bone regrowth could reduce surgical complexity, recovery time and long-term complications.
Next steps
While promising, the technology is still preclinical and not yet approved for human use. The authors stress the need for further animal studies and regulatory review before clinical trials can begin.
If successful in humans, this “bone glue” may herald a new era of orthopaedic repair, a sticky, bio-active fix for shattered bones.
Reference
Cheng J et al. Dual-Biomimetic Bone Adhesive with Osteoimmunomodulatory Capabilities for Anatomical Reconstruction of Comminuted Fractures. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2025;12(32):e01108.
