• • The optimal hydrogel formulation achieves a compressive modulus of 0.2 MPa and tensile strength of 2.2 MPa, matching human cartilage mechanical benchmarks, enabling load-bearing support in joint defects.
• • The hydrogel withstands 50,000 compression cycles without structural failure, indicating fatigue resistance critical for long-term in vivo performance under cyclic joint loading.
• • Incorporation of gentamicin confers antibacterial activity, addressing infection risks in cartilage repair, while nano-hydroxyapatite promotes osteogenesis for osteochondral integration.
• • The material exhibits excellent flowability pre-crosslinking, allowing minimally invasive injection and adaptation to irregular defect geometries, a key advantage over pre-formed implants.