Hydrogel that outperforms natural cartilage

[Nilotic]

Natural cartilage plays an important role in cushioning joints, but unfortunately it doesn’t regenerate itself very well after damage by age or injury. Current treatment options are usually limited to pain medication, physical therapy, or if things progress too far, a total knee reconstruction. But if the Duke team’s new work pans out, a better option might soon be available.

The new hydrogel is made up of cellulose fibers, which make the material strong while being stretched, infused with polyvinyl alcohol that helps it return to its original shape. The team also tweaked its manufacturing method too – rather than freezing and thawing it like most hydrogels, they annealed it like glass, which triggers more crystal formation in the polymer network.

The end result is a hydrogel with a tensile strength (withstanding stretching) of 51 Megapascals (MPa), and a compressive strength (withstanding pressure) of 98 MPa. That’s 26% higher tensile strength and 66% higher compressive strength than natural cartilage, the team says. It’s also five times the tensile strength and twice the compressive strength of other hydrogels made by freezing and thawing.

And again, the artificial version proved to be three times more wear-resistant than natural cartilage.

Hydrogel that outperforms cartilage could be in human knees in 2023

Joint pain is a common ailment of aging, thanks to cartilage’s tendency to wear out. Now, researchers at Duke University have developed a new hydrogel that’s stronger and more durable than the real thing, which could make for longer lasting knee implants.

newatlas.com

I hurt myself when I played sports like crazy, so I look forward to this; I had 3 surgeries in my right knee in just 2 years

 

[Basra]

MJs are so weird!

 

[Nilotic]

MJs are so weird! View attachment 241536

What does this have to do with Majerteen?



It looks like you have Puntland on your mind

 

[Basra]

What does this have to do with Majerteen?



It looks like you have Puntland on your mind

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