Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research progress of hydrogels for the regeneration and repair of degenerative intervertebral disc and to investigate the potential of hydrogels in clinical application. METHODS: The related literature about the role of hydrogels in intervertebral disc degeneration especially for nucleus pulposus was reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Hydrogels share similar properties with nucleus pulposus, and it plays an important role in the regeneration and repair of degenerative intervertebral disc, which can be mainly applied in nucleus pulposus prosthesis, hydrogel-based cell therapy, non-cellular therapy, and tissue engineering repair. CONCLUSION: Hydrogels are widely used in the regeneration and repair of intervertebral disc, which provides a potential treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration.