Advanced biocompatible polymers for cartilage tissue engineering

Biocompatible polymer hydrogels had high potential for applications in cartilage tissue engineering. This chapter introduced cartilage disease and current clinical treatments. The requirements, advantages, drawbacks, and methods for polymer hydrogels applied in cartilage regeneration were summarized. In addition, we focused on the latest progress and clinical application of polymer hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering, including silk fibroin, alginate, chitosan, hyaluronate, γ-PGA, PEG, PCL, and PVA. The advances of simulation models of hydrogels were also discussed. Furthermore, perspectives and some key challenges on future hydrogels for cartilage regeneration are also proposed.