Light‐Assisted 3D Printing Techniques and Photocrosslinking Strategies: Recent Advances in Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders represent a significant global health challenge that affects over 1.7 billion people, leading to physical disability as well as reduced mental health and socioeconomic well‐being. Despite their high prevalence, MSK diseases remain severely underfunded compared to other global health priorities. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) can utilize light‐based 3D bioprinting and photocrosslinking methods for the treatment and study of MSK conditions. Light‐based bioprinting techniques, such as digital light processing and stereolithography, enable the creation of high‐resolution scaffolds that mimic the complex, highly organized structure of MSK tissues, while photocrosslinking methods can be applied more broadly across nonlight‐based techniques to improve ink or scaffold stability. These technologies hold the potential for advancing MSK therapies; however, the need for specialized photocurable materials, cytotoxicity concerns, and mechanical limitations of printed constructs remains. This systematic review addresses current gaps and trends in light‐assisted 3D printing for MSK applications, examines the most frequently used biomaterials and cell types over the past 5 years, and highlights future research directions to advance TERM for MSK repair and regeneration.