A review on nanomaterials for cartilage repair: innovations in scaffold design and drug delivery

Cartilage damage and osteoarthritis remain major clinical challenges due to the tissue’s poor self-healing capacity and limited regenerative potential. Conventional treatments fail to restore native function, underscoring the need for advanced therapeutic strategies. Nanomaterials have emerged as promising candidates for cartilage repair because of their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix, provide structural support, and enable targeted drug delivery. This review highlights recent innovations in nanomaterial-based scaffolds and drug delivery systems for cartilage regeneration. Nanofibers and nanoscaffolds reproduce the fibrous structure of cartilage, while nanoparticles enable controlled release of growth factors, anti-inflammatory drugs, and genetic material. Hydrogels reinforced with nanomaterials offer injectable, bioactive environments, and nanocomposites provide mechanical stability alongside bioactivity. Advances in scaffold design, including biomimetic architectures, biofunctionalization, and 3D bioprinting, are enhancing integration and functional outcomes. Preclinical studies have demonstrated encouraging results in vitro and in vivo, while early clinical trials indicate translational potential. Future perspectives include the development of personalized 3D-printed scaffolds, multifunctional smart nanomaterials, and integration with regenerative medicine approaches. Collectively, nanotechnology represents a transformative platform for durable and functional cartilage repair.