| The primary characteristic of osteoporosis is the progressive reduction in bone mass and the destruction of bone tissue microstructure. This leads to an overall decrease in bone strength, making the bones more prone to fractures and other conditions that result in bone defects. In recent years, the clinical use of autologous bone grafts and allogeneic bone grafts has shown limitations. Although significant progress has been made in treating bone defects caused by osteoporosis using BMP-2, with increasingly mature techniques, its practical application remains constrained due to challenges in precisely controlling the release location and dosage. Hydrogel materials, with their ability to provide precise sustained release of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), excellent biocompatibility, and a suitable cellular microenvironment, have greatly improved the application prospects of BMP-2. This article systematically reviews the research progress of hydrogel-loaded BMP-2 in treating osteoporotic bone defects, analyzes its mechanisms, current applications, and challenges, and aims to provide innovative ideas and theoretical foundations for the clinical treatment of osteoporotic bone defects, thereby advancing the development of clinical treatment technologies in this field. |