Table of Contents
In what is being hailed as a major leap forward in orthopaedic medicine, a team of Chinese researchers has successfully developed a revolutionary medical adhesive dubbed “Bone-02” — a so-called bone glue that can fix fractures and shattered bone fragments in as little as three minutes. The innovation of bone glue, which has already been tested in clinical settings, may one day replace conventional methods like steel plates and screws, making fracture treatment faster, safer, and less invasive.
The discovery of bone glue was announced on Wednesday in East China’s Zhejiang Province, where the research team is based. The project was led by Lin Xianfeng, associate chief orthopaedic surgeon at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. Dr. Lin revealed that his inspiration for the adhesive came from an unexpected observation: oysters clinging to a bridge underwater.
“The way oysters adhere so strongly to surfaces in such a wet and complex environment fascinated me,” Dr. Lin said. “It sparked the idea that perhaps we could create a medical adhesive that mimics this natural process and works reliably inside the human body.”
A Fixation Method That Works in Minutes
According to the research team, Bone-02 ( bone glue ) is capable of achieving precise fixation of bone fragments within two to three minutes, even in a blood-rich surgical field. Traditional treatment for severe fractures often requires large incisions, followed by the insertion of metal plates and screws to hold the bone in place — a process that is both invasive and time-consuming.
Bone-02 ( bone glue ) eliminates the need for this approach by directly adhering fractured pieces together with a strong yet biocompatible bond. Its adhesive properties allow surgeons to perform minimally invasive operations, potentially reducing recovery time and surgical risks.
Naturally Absorbed by the Body
One of the most remarkable features of this bone glue is that it is biodegradable and fully absorbed by the body as the bone naturally heals. This means that patients will no longer require a second surgery to remove metal implants, which is currently a common follow-up procedure in orthopaedic care.
This property of bone glue could significantly improve patient comfort, cut healthcare costs, and reduce hospital stays, ultimately lowering the burden on both patients and healthcare systems.
Strong, Reliable, and Safe
Laboratory tests and early clinical trials suggest that Bone-02 ( bone glue ) is both safe and effective. Data from the research team showed that glued bones achieved a bonding force exceeding 400 pounds, a shear strength of approximately 0.5 MPa, and a compressive strength around 10 MPa — metrics that indicate that the adhesive bond is strong enough to withstand daily stress and allow natural bone healing to proceed without disruption.
In clinical practice, the product has already been tested in over 150 patients, with all procedures successfully completed in under three minutes. The patients experienced stable fixation, with no significant reports of adverse reactions or postoperative infections.
Potential to Replace Metal Implants
Experts suggest that Bone-02 may have the potential to replace traditional metal plates and screws in many cases, particularly for complex fractures where multiple fragments must be precisely aligned. Metal implants, while effective, can sometimes cause complications such as infections, allergic reactions, and chronic pain, in addition to requiring a second operation for removal.
“If Bone-02 continues to perform well in larger trials, we could see a paradigm shift in fracture management,” said an independent orthopaedic surgeon not involved in the research. “This could be the future of trauma surgery.”
A Long-Standing Challenge Finally Solved
The concept of bone adhesive has been pursued since the 1940s, with early attempts using gelatin, epoxy resins, and acrylates. However, these materials were ultimately abandoned because of biocompatibility issues, toxicity, or lack of sufficient strength.
Bone-02 appears to overcome these limitations through a novel formulation that is not only strong and fast-setting but also biocompatible and resorbable.
Looking Ahead
While the results so far are extremely promising, researchers emphasize that larger, multi-center clinical trials are still needed before Bone-02 can be widely adopted. If regulatory approvals are secured, the adhesive could potentially revolutionize orthopaedic surgery, emergency trauma care, and even sports medicine.
With its ability to drastically reduce surgical time, avoid implant removal procedures, and minimize complications, Bone-02 represents a hopeful step toward a future where bone fractures can be treated faster, safer, and more effectively than ever before.
For more updates, follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram & Facebook. And our website MED COLLEGE DARSHAN.
