Polyurethane-Based Biomaterials for Fibrocartilage Repair: Chemistry, Structure-Function Design, and Applications

Fibrocartilage is a specialized connective tissue characterized by distinct mechanical functions and limited regenerative capacity. Current clinical treatments for fibrocartilage injuries often fail to restore native function or achieve long-term durability. Polyurethane (PU)-based biomaterials have emerged as promising alternatives due to their chemical versatility, structural tunability, and favorable biological properties. This review provides a systematic overview of PU-based strategies for fibrocartilage repair, focusing on the meniscus, annulus fibrosus (AF), and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc. It summarizes the composition, structure, and therapeutic challenges of fibrocartilage, and highlights PU chemistry and design modifications that enable precise tuning of mechanical, degradative, and biological performance. Recent advances in PU-based implants are reviewed, with emphasis on their potential applications, key challenges, and future directions. By correlating material composition and scaffold architecture with functional performance, this review provides guidance for future research and clinical translation of PU-based biomaterials for fibrocartilage repair.