New Delhi: Not heavy implants or splints, fractured bones could now be fixed using glue—a bio-adhesive made specifically for fractures. Chinese scientists at the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital in Zhejiang unveiled this emerging technology called Bone 02, which can bond fractures in three minutes, said a news report in the Global Times.
Affiliated to Zhejiang University, the researchers led by Dr Xianfeng Lin, an orthopedic surgeon, described the glue as a completely dissolvable product that can be injected into the body and can heal broken and shattered bones within minutes. Unlike metal implants that require second surgeries for removal, this glue will dissolve once the fracture heals. The scientists are, however, yet to publish or have peer-reviewed their research in a journal or any other academic paper.
“If true, this will be amazing news for everyone in the world!” said Dr Rajesh Malhotra, senior orthopedics consultant for Apollo Hospitals. “Dissolvable glue can help heal fractures faster and reduce surgery time and implants, especially in older and sensitive patients,” he added.
According to experts, this is the first time a product like this has been unveiled in the world. While there have previously been discussions and trials surrounding glues as an alternative to mainstream fracture implants and nails, a paper published by Dutch scientists in the Materials Today journal in 2023 said that there are no commercially available bio-adhesives in the world.
Zhejiang Online, the Chinese news portal that first reported the breakthrough, said that the idea for the glue first emerged in 2016 when the lead author observed the strong way in which oysters cling to objects even in seawater. This, according to the report, is what gave Lin the idea to develop an adhesive that can work inside the body even in the presence of blood and other fluids.
“There has been a lot of research in orthopedics in developing these bio-adhesives and developing dissolvable bone implants so that double surgery is not needed for fractures,” said Dr Malhotra. “But there are a lot of challenges in this research, too.”
The lead author Lin has previously worked on other research relating to biodegradable or dissolvable implants for fractures. The nails, rods, and plates usually used for heavy bone fractures are difficult to use, especially in older and and very young patients, and are expensive, time-consuming and run the risk of infection. The bone glue is a solution to all these problems, as it can be injected using a syringe.
Challenges for bone glue, future avenues
Dr Malhotra explained that the biggest concern with the new Bone 02 is whether it will be able to work on bigger bones like the thigh or hip bones.
The Zhejiang Online report said that during the press conference, Lin and his team said they had used the glue on 150 clinical trials, including on a patient who had a wrist bone fracture. Instead of an open surgery that needed implants and screws, Lin’s team injected Bone 02 into the surface area of the fracture and finished the procedure within 3 minutes, reported Zheijang Online.
However, Dr Malhotra said that while wrist bones and other upper limb bones are smaller, the thigh bone and hip bones are much bigger and also require more precision.
“We need to make sure that the healed bone can withstand the pressure and weight that will be put on it. When you walk or stand up, the bone should be able to take the pressure,” explained Dr Malhotra. “With regular surgery it still takes months to heal, but with the bone glue, there should be tests to figure out what the time required will be.”
Also, according to Dr Malhotra, the bone glue’s function should not interfere with the normal process followed by the body to heal fractures naturally.
“When we use stilts or implants, we’re essentially propping up the fracture so that the body can naturally heal it by producing bone tissue and covering the fractured area,” said Dr Malhotra. “Will the bone glue interfere with that process? Will it aid the natural process?”
Without a peer-reviewed study and more clinical trials, the new product has raised both hopes and questions in the orthopedic community. However, experts want to wait until more research is out to comment on the viability of this new invention.
“Let’s wait for the fog to clear and then we can talk about widespread usage. It is great news, for sure, but remember that nothing in medicine is ever a panacea,” reminded Dr Malhotra. “There will always be exceptions where any process or product may not apply or may not work well.”
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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