Fig. 4

TPME implant enhances functional recovery. (A–B) Diagram illustrating the process of SCI and hydrogel implantation. (C) Locomotor recovery in rats was evaluated using the BBB score in an open field (n = 3). (D) Representative spinal cord images from all groups after SCI repair. (E–F) MRI and DTI images from all groups showed healing of spinal cord damage. Yellow arrows indicate the location of the SCI. (G) Representative images of hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson’s trichrome staining illustrate the spinal cord morphology in different groups. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001)