Advanced Hydrogels in Fibrocartilage Regeneration of the Glenoid Labrum

Abstract

Glenoid labral tears are relatively common orthopedic injuries in adults. Anatomically, the glenoid labrum is a fibrocartilaginous structure that contributes to shoulder stability and function. The treatment for labral injury may be conservative, such as activity modification and rest, or operative, depending on the extent of tissue damage. Hydrogels are polymeric networks with great potential in treating glenoid labral tears and other cartilage-related injuries. Hydrogels are highly biocompatible, hydrophilic, and non-immunogenic, with tunable mechanical properties that support nutrient diffusion, cell viability, and angiogenesis, making them well suited for cartilage regeneration. Hydrogels can deliver growth factors like TGF-β or PDGF and may be combined with peptides or adhesion molecules to enhance tissue integration, repair, and even physical support. This article introduces current treatment options for glenoid labral injuries, reviews the role of hydrogels in cartilage regeneration, and summarizes recent translational research focused on hydrogel-based labral repair.

Keywords: cartilage regeneration; drug delivery; hydrogel; labral injury; regenerative medicine; tissue engineering.

Figure 1

Comparative roles of hydrogel therapy and conventional treatments in glenoid labral repair. Hydrogel-based approaches offer biologically active, regenerative advantages and can be used adjunctively to overcome limitations of traditional operative and nonoperative modalities. Together, these strategies may support improved healing, functional outcomes, and long-term joint preservation.

Figure 2

Common stimuli responsive behaviors of hydrogel actuators. Hydrogel networks can be engineered to respond to external triggers such as magnetic fields, temperature changes, electric fields, pH variations, and light exposure. These responsive properties can be leveraged in orthopedic applications, including glenoid labral repair, to enable controlled gelation, targeted drug release, and dynamic mechanical adaptation. Adapted from “Stimuli-responsive hydrogel actuators for skin therapeutics and beyond,” Soft Science, 2024, licensed under CC BY 4.0 [39].

Figure 3

Schematic diagram of common hydrogel crosslinking mechanisms (physical vs. chemical). Reproduced from Wu et al., “Exquisite Design of Hydrogels in Cartilage Repair,” Theranostics 2020; 10, 6864–6892, licensed under CC BY 4.0 [74].

Figure 4

Theoretical mechanism by which PDGF-enriched chitosan-based hydrogel enhances cartilage regeneration in fibrochondrocytes.