Stimuli-responsive hydrogels (SRHs) are desirable for tissue engineering. For a minimally invasive tissue repair, the structural resemblance of SRHs to the extracellular matrix (ECM) of many tissues offers significant benefits. The potential use of SRHs for cartilage regeneration has received a lot of attention. Due to its poor repair capacity, cartilage damage is difficult to repair in orthopedics. Recent developments include the creation of injectable hydrogels with nanostructured features and quick stimuli-responsive properties to reduce invasive surgery. For quicker tissue repair and a more controlled stimulus response to environmental changes, SRHs with a structural resemblance to the natural ECM upregulate cell–material interactions. The most recent developments in the creation of intelligent hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering (CTE) are highlighted in this chapter. In addition to discussing the structure of the cartilaginous tissue, its biomechanical characters, and the various strategies exploited to regenerate the damaged cartilages, we introduced various SRHs employed for the CTE. Along with a summary of clinical considerations, difficulties, the uses, and properties of natural and synthetic polymers utilized in SRHs are also addressed. |
