Advanced Technologies for Orthopedic Repair and Regeneration

Dear Colleagues,

Advanced technologies are revolutionizing the treatment of orthopedic conditions, offering increasingly effective and personalized solutions for the repair and regeneration of bone and cartilage tissues. Among the most promising innovations are regenerative medicine, 3D printing, smart biomaterials, and immunoengineering. Mesenchymal stem cells, for example, are increasingly used to stimulate bone regeneration, while bioactive scaffolds provide mechanical support and promote cellular proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, 3D printing enables the creation of patient-specific implants, perfectly tailored to individual anatomy, enhancing integration and reducing recovery time.

This Special Issue focuses on the application of cutting-edge technologies—such as 3D printing, bioactive materials, and predictive modeling—for orthopedic repair and regeneration. Particular emphasis is placed on strategies that are quantitative, minimally invasive, and translational, with the goal of developing disruptive, patient-specific therapeutic approaches that restore musculoskeletal function.

We welcome original research articles, short communications, clinical studies, case reports, and review papers spanning from basic science to clinical application. Submissions should explore innovative and integrative approaches to enhance bone and cartilage regeneration while improving clinical outcomes.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Regenerative therapies and cell-based approaches: Use of mesenchymal stem cells, growth factors, and gene therapy to promote osteogenesis and chondrogenesis.
• Three-dimensional printing technologies in orthopedics: Additive manufacturing of custom scaffolds and implants designed to match patient-specific anatomy and biomechanics.
• Advanced and bioactive materials: Development of smart, bioactive, biodegradable, or mechanically enhanced biomaterials for orthopedic applications.
• Artificial Intelligence and predictive modeling: AI-based design and optimization of implants, surgical planning, and prediction of tissue response and healing outcomes.
• Advanced diagnostic tools and imaging technologies: Real-time monitoring of regeneration, intraoperative navigation, and multimodal imaging for precision interventions.
• Smart implants and intelligent prostheses: Sensor-integrated devices for dynamic monitoring and responsive drug delivery to improve long-term success.
• Translational and clinical applications: Case reports and clinical studies demonstrating the real-world impact of advanced technologies on orthopedic care.
• Integrated multidisciplinary approaches: Synergistic strategies combining material science, biomechanics, computational modeling, and clinical expertise.
• Cost-effectiveness and sustainability: Evaluation of economic and production aspects of personalized orthopedic devices and treatments.
• Infection control and immunomodulation: Antimicrobial coatings, immuno-informed biomaterials, and host–implant immune interactions for infection prevention and enhanced tissue integration.

This Special Issue aims to bridge the gap between material innovation and clinical implementation, providing a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, engineers, and clinicians working at the interface of regenerative medicine, biomedical engineering, and orthopedic surgery.

Dr. Adriano Braile
Dr. Mariantonia Braile
Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Toro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Bioengineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.