This Newly Developed Medical Glue Can Heal Broken Bones Within Three Minutes

A medical team in Zhejiang Province, China, has announced a breakthrough adhesive that can repair fractures and shattered bones in as little as three minutes.

The new material, known as “Bone-02”, could transform orthopedic surgery by offering a fast and less invasive alternative to traditional metal implants such as screws, plates, and rods.

Inspired by Nature

The project was led by Lin Xianfeng, associate chief orthopedic surgeon at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. According to Lin, the idea originated from studying oysters, which are able to cling tightly to underwater structures like bridge pillars despite harsh, wet conditions.

Drawing inspiration from this natural adhesive ability, the researchers engineered a glue that can bond fractured bones securely even in blood-rich environments — a setting where most conventional adhesives fail.

Unlike steel plates or screws, Bone-02 naturally degrades as the bone heals, eliminating the need for patients to undergo a second surgery to remove implants.

Clinical Testing and Results

Bone-02 has already undergone extensive trials in more than 150 patients. Laboratory testing and real-world clinical use have both shown the adhesive to be safe, durable, and highly effective.

In some procedures, surgeries that normally require lengthy fixation with implants were completed in under three minutes with the glue.

The trials demonstrated impressive mechanical performance:

• Bonding force: over 400 pounds
• Shear strength: 0.5 MPa
• Compressive strength: about 10 MPa

Researchers say these results highlight Bone-02’s potential to replace conventional implants, while reducing the risks of infection, rejection, and complications from additional surgeries.

A Leap Forward in Orthopedic Care

Currently, bone cements and fillers are sometimes used in fracture repair, but they do not function as true adhesives. Past attempts to create bone glues — dating back to the 1940s with gelatin, epoxy resins, and acrylates — were abandoned because of poor biocompatibility and safety issues.

Bone-02, however, appears to solve these long-standing challenges. By combining strength, speed, and biocompatibility, it represents one of the most promising advancements in orthopedic medicine in decades.

If large-scale trials confirm its effectiveness, Bone-02 could mark the beginning of a new era in fracture treatment, offering faster recovery, fewer complications, and a dramatic reduction in the need for invasive hardware.