Hydrogel-based therapies for talus osteoarthritis management

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Created On: 23/01/2026

Talus osteoarthritis (OA), a form of ankle joint degeneration, is a debilitating musculoskeletal disorder that impairs mobility, causes chronic pain, and minimizes quality of life.

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Key take away

Hydrogel-based cartilage therapies emerge as a minimally invasive option for symptom control in talus osteoarthritis.

Background

Talus osteoarthritis (OA), a form of ankle joint degeneration, is a debilitating musculoskeletal disorder that impairs mobility, causes chronic pain, and minimizes quality of life. Emerging regenerative treatments, particularly hydrogel-based therapies, have gained attention owing to their viscoelasticity, biocompatibility, and bioactive properties, making them suitable for cartilage repair and OA care.

While injectable hydrogels—especially hyaluronic acid–based formulations—are extensively studied in knee OA, their clinical application in talocrural (ankle) joint OA remains poorly investigated. This systematic review evaluated existing evidence and addressed the uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness and safety of hydrogels in talus OA treatment.

Method

In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Eligible publications included case series, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials assessing hydrogel interventions for talus OA. Two independent reviewers executed data extraction and risk-of-bias evaluation. Due to methodological variability across studies, a thematic synthesis approach was applied.

Result

Initial screening identified 5 eligible studies focusing on hydrogel use in talus OA. The investigated formulations primarily consisted of hyaluronic acid derivatives. Reported clinical outcomes encompassed pain reduction, improvement in ankle joint function, and imaging-based structural changes, highlighting the potential therapeutic role of hydrogels in ankle cartilage preservation.

Conclusion

Hydrogel-based treatments offer a promising joint-preserving and minimally invasive strategy for managing talus OA, with potential benefits in cartilage support, pain relief, and functional improvement. However, current clinical evidence remains limited. Large-scale, high-quality trials with standardized outcome measures are urgently needed to confirm efficacy, optimize hydrogel formulations, and adapt therapies to the unique biomechanical demands of the ankle joint.