China's Bone Glue, A new way to fix Broken Bones

Just imagine breaking a bone, and not having to go through hours of surgery with screws or metal plates. Instead, doctors could apply a special glue that holds your broken bones together in just a few minutes. Well, Chinese scientists have created a special glue called the "Bone-02", and it could really change the way broken bones are treated and healed. 

Fractures are common, almost everyone breaks a bone at least once in their lifetime. However, serious fractures require surgeries, where doctors use metal screws, rods, or plates to keep the shattered bone together. Though this process works and has been used for years and beyond, it has some downsides. It is extremely inconvenient, recovery can take quite some time, and there is even a risk of infection. Sometimes, patients need an additional surgery to remove the metal after the bone heals. 

So, is there a faster and safer way to fix broken bones? Yes! That’s what Bone-02 aims to do. 

The bone glue developed by the scientists in Zhejiang Province is a type of biodegradable and bioactive adhesive. It is inspired by mussels and oysters, which manage to stick to wet surfaces underwater. This works incredibly well in the human body.

This is then applied to pieces of a broken bone, the glue hardens in about 3 minutes and keeps everything tightly in place. It's strong enough to hold over 400 pounds! And this is enough for most fractures. 

So what is Bone-02 made up of? It contains Collagen, a type of protein that exists in bones, Laponite, special clay which helps with strength, and the PEG polymer, helping the glue to harden fast. This, in exchange, will provide strength for the glue, besides being great for healing. It holds the bones in place while the body heals. Over time, the glue's absorbed by the body, which means there's no need for another surgery to remove it. 

Clinical trials involving more than 150 patients have succeeded, showing that the glue works well, and the recovery was much faster without any complications. 

What makes the glue such a big discovery? Unlike the usual metal plates, it saves time, works in just a couple of minutes instead of hours in surgery, and only small cuts are needed. It also reduces risk like infection, and can handle complicated and risky fractures like even shattered bones. To the patients, this would mean less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster healing. To doctors, it's a simpler, safer way of fixing fractures. 

These are 2 quotes from the lead researcher of Bone-02, Dr. Lin Xianfeng:

“I was inspired after seeing oysters cling strongly to a submerged bridge,” This helps demonstrate how nature has influenced the glue to be firm and strong. 

“Its broad application prospects are particularly noteworthy… it applies to fracture repair in almost all parts of the body and for fragments of various sizes,” This highlights the high functionality of the glue in many types of fractures. 

Imagine a child falling off a bike and breaking their wrist. Instead of waiting for hours in surgery, and going through a long painful recovery, the doctors could quickly fix the fracture with the Bone-02. It reduces the stress and pain for the child and the family. 

Bone-02 sounds amazing, unfortunately, it is not magic. The bones need time to heal on their own, and such a simple bone glue in this complex human body sounds too unreal. Long term studies need to be conducted to understand the full effects of Bone-02. It also takes time for approval from other countries, and the costs play a huge factor too.

Scientists and researchers are also considering whether the glue could help with other medical aspects, such as dental repairs, or small bone injuries in elderly patients. If it works, then Bone-02 might turn out to be the beginning of something great in the medical world. 

Still, Bone-02 has so much potential. It's a very great idea because its nature inspired bioengineering, mixed with modern medicine, and it could improve the way fractured bones are treated. Bone glue in China is a big step in medicine. It's fast, safe, and strong. It could make recovering from a broken bone easier, faster, and less painful. If it starts to be available internationally, then patients all over the world can heal faster and with fewer surgeries. Who knew mussels would help invent something life changing?