Translational Progress and Clinical Challenges in Bioengineered Bone and Joint Repair

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials science
• Regenerative medicine
• Orthopedic surgery

Background:

• Musculoskeletal disorders are a major cause of global disability.
• Current treatments face limitations like donor site morbidity and poor integration.
• Translational success of preclinical advances remains inconsistent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent bioengineered approaches for bone and joint repair.
• To analyze how materials design and regenerative strategies impact clinical feasibility.
• To identify challenges and future directions for regenerative therapies.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of recent advances in bioengineering for musculoskeletal repair.
• Evaluation of scaffold-based systems, stem cell therapies, ECM constructs, and smart materials.
• Assessment of biological performance, manufacturability, and regulatory feasibility.

Main Results:

• Scaffold design (composition, architecture) is crucial for regeneration.
• Regenerative platforms show encouraging early clinical outcomes.
• Significant barriers to implementation include manufacturing, cost, and clinical infrastructure.

Conclusions:

• Bioengineering offers promising alternatives for musculoskeletal repair.
• Addressing manufacturing, cost, and clinical integration is vital for broader adoption.
• Future research should focus on manufacturability and real-world evidence generation.