Injectable Radiopaque Hyaluronic Acid Granular Hydrogels for Intervertebral Disc Repair.

ABSTRACT: Injectable hydrogels offer minimally-invasive treatment options for degenerative disc disease, a prevalent condition affecting millions annually. Many hydrogels explored for intervertebral disc (IVD) repair suffer from weak mechanical integrity, migration issues, and expulsion. To overcome these limitations, an injectable and radiopaque hyaluronic acid granular hydrogel is developed. The granular structure provides easy injectability and low extrusion forces, while the radiopacity enables direct visualization during injection into the disc and non-invasive monitoring after injection. The radiopaque granular hydrogel is injected into rabbit disc explants to investigate restoration of healthy disc mechanics following needle puncture injury ex vivo and then delivered in a minimally-invasive m

SUBMITTER: Muir VG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11193841 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature