Question

Scientists discovered new gel that promotes cartilage repair and prevents surgery

Answer 1

Knee replacement gels are real, and there are always developments being made in that field, especially in Europe. Students at Northwestern University made progress with a gel that has shown promising results in testing and research, and say that it could potentially be used in the future to prevent full knee replacement surgeries. However, as of now the usually clinic fix is micro fracture surgery to promote new cartilage growth. These gels aren't exactly new though, tests and research around gel application has been around for over a decade, and now there is just more and more progress being made in the field. Most gel treatments are not available to the masses, except for specific procedures done overseas (Germany).

https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2024/august/new-biomaterial-regrows-damaged-cartilage-in-joints

https://londoncartilage.com/knee-cartilage-replacement-gel-a-groundbreaking-non-surgical-option-for-joint-health/

I also found a video where Dr. Dan Ginader  (PT, DPT ) debunks some of the same rumors, and explains what is really going on. 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNeN5YqODr3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 

Answer 2

This claim is true, a new gel-like biomaterial that works to regrow damaged cartilage in joints has been developed by scientists at Northwestern University. 

This new gel is composed of complex molecular components that are intended to mimic the natural cartilage in the body and to promote the regrowth of real cartilage as well, according to Northwestern University. It has been tested on animals with damaged cartilage and has effectively worked to repair and regrow natural cartilage. 

The work of this gel is anticipated to be able to prevent surgeries after development on it is continued, also according to a report from Northwestern University. A study published by the National Library of Medicine on innovative hydrogel solutions for articular cartilage regeneration states that "Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising option for cartilage repair". This gives confirmation that this method will sufficiently work to replace surgeries. 

With confirmation through research and animal testing, it can be concluded that this new biomaterial gel does in fact work to promote cartilage repair and that it can prevent surgeries.

Sources: 

Northwestern University - https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2024/august/new-biomaterial-regrows-damaged-cartilage-in-joints

National Library of Medicine - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11634198/