Bioactive pure zinc anchor on promoting tendon bone healing

Over the past few decades, extensive research has been devoted to developing biodegradable materials for tendon suture fixation. However, achieving an optimal balance among biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and the capacity to promote tendon-bone enthesis integration remains a significant challenge, limiting clinical translation. To overcome these limitations, we developed a pure zinc (Zn) anchor. In vitro studies demonstrated its excellent biocompatibility and robust osteogenic, chondrogenic, and tenogenic potential. In vivo studies, we compared the therapeutic efficacy of pure Zn anchors with Ti6Al4V (TC4) anchors in a rabbit model of rotator cuff tear repair. The results revealed that pure Zn anchors not only accelerated tendon-bone enthesis healing but also eliminated imaging artifacts associated with conventional metallic implants, highlighting their promising clinical utility for orthopedic applications.