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Review
. 2024 Oct 27;16(10):e72480.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.72480. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Alginate Use in Orthopedics and Peripheral Nerve Repair: A Systematic Review

Matthew T Eisenberg  1 , Joshua W Hustedt  2
Affiliations
Review

Alginate Use in Orthopedics and Peripheral Nerve Repair: A Systematic Review

Matthew T Eisenberg et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

The use of alginate, a derivative of seaweed, has been proposed for multiple orthopedic indications. We aimed to review the current use of alginate in orthopedics and to focus on the future applications of alginate for peripheral nerve repair. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify biomechanical, laboratory, animal, and human studies where alginate has been utilized for orthopedic or nerve repair indications. A systematic review of orthopedic indications was conducted for safety and efficacy, and a specific focus was placed on alginate for use in peripheral nerve repair and reconstruction. Thirty-two studies were identified. Alginate has a strong history and safety profile for usage in orthopedic surgery. Its primary usage has been for the repair of articular cartilage, although it has also been used for disc regeneration of the lumbar spine and for cushioning joints in osteoarthritis. The primary indication in peripheral nerve repair is to create an environment that encourages Schwann cell migration and repair in nerve injuries while blocking fibrotic scar tissue formation by inhibiting the activity of fibroblasts. Alginate hydrogel may serve as a potential conduit for nerve regeneration in nerve injuries with small to medium-sized gaps.

Keywords: alginate; hydrogel; nerve; orthopedic surgery; repair.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram
* PubMed, Embase, OVID Medline, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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