[Review of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel and its compounds in the application of artificial cartilage materials].

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel is a kind of material which has excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties. In this paper, the researches and developments of PVA hydrogel preparation and the modifications of PVA with other material were introduced. The potential for the use of PVA hydrogels as implant materials in cartilage reparation was reviewed.