Chinese researchers say they have developed a new medical bone glue capable of fixing fractures in just three minutes — a breakthrough that could transform orthopaedic treatment.
The adhesive, called “Bone-02”, was inspired by the way clams cling to surfaces underwater, scientists from Zhejiang Province said. According to Chinese media reports, the glue has already been successfully tested in 150 patient trials.
Attempts to create bone adhesives date back to the 1940s, but early versions made from gelatin, epoxy resins, and acrylates failed due to poor biocompatibility. Current bone cements and fillers are widely used but do not achieve true adhesion.
Lin Xianfeng, associate chief orthopaedic surgeon at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, said he was inspired to create the glue after observing oysters firmly attached to a bridge underwater, NDTV reported.
What sets Bone-02 apart, experts say, is its ability to bond fractured bones quickly while being naturally absorbed by the body during the healing process. This removes the need for follow-up surgeries to extract surgical pins or cement, making treatment less invasive.
If approved for wider clinical use, the glue could dramatically shorten recovery times for patients and reduce the risks associated with traditional fracture treatments.
