Posted on 04/12/2021 12:35:19 PM PDT by Red Badger
When compromised, the cartilage in our joints can't keep the bones from painfully grinding togetherlightsource/Depositphotos VIEW 1 IMAGES
Once it's been injured, the protective cartilage in our knees and other joints heals very slowly – if at all. A new injectable gel, however, could both reinforce the tissue after it's been damaged, and encourage new cartilage to grow over top of it.
Currently being developed by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, the hydrogel contains a modified form of a gooey substance known as hyaluronic acid, which is produced naturally by the body's connective tissue. In recent years, the acid has also been experimentally used to ward off glaucoma, heal damaged cardiac tissue, and refill herniated spinal discs.
In lab tests, the U Pennsylvania hydrogel was injected into degenerated joint cartilage in mice. Such cartilage covers the interfacing ends of the bones within a joint, and when not damaged, it keeps them from painfully grinding against one another as that joint moves.
It was found that after being injected, the hydrogel intertwined with the structural matrix of the cartilage, thus stabilizing and strengthening it. This finding was backed up by other tests, in which the gel restored the regular activity of cartilage-producing/maintaining chondrocyte cells in living cartilage tissue samples.
Additionally, the sticky hyaluronic acid hydrogel was found to provide a good "roosting" surface for mesenchymal stem cells that were subsequently injected into the injured joint. Those cells proceeded to grow into a new external layer of cartilage, further protecting the recently reinforced original tissue beneath.
"We often relate this combined approach to treating a damaged deck in your backyard," says the lead scientist, Asst. Prof. Jay Patel. "To fortify the existing wood structure, you need something like a wood hardener, then you can apply a wood sealer to prevent future wear. In the same way, we applied a substance that seeps into the pores of the tissue and provides reinforcement, then 'sealed' it by guiding the behavior of injected stem cells towards forming a layer that caps the whole structure."
Studies on larger animals are now being planned, followed by clinical trials on humans.
The hydrogel is currently being commercialized by spinoff company Forsagen, and is described in a paper that was recently published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials. Scientists at the University of Delaware are also developing an injectable hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel, which in their case releases pain-killing medication into joints as they're moving.
Source: University of Pennsylvania
My knees are smiling. 😊
https://www.vqorthocare.com/product/bionicare-knee-system/
Nurse at the VA says she’s seen good results with it.
There is also stem cell injections. Costly, not sure if Medicare/VA will pay for them.
Anyone familiar with KAILO pain treatment?
Well, it seems like a better idea to to grow replacement cartilage inside the body rather than externally on a 3D printed substrate and then implanted via surgery as other approaches currently being tried out.
Yeah, I really want some replacement cartilage ;-)
EUFLEXXA (1% sodium hyaluronate) is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis. It is used for patients who do not get enough relief from simple pain medications such as acetaminophen or from exercise and physical therapy.
EUFLEXXA is only for injection into the knee, performed by a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional.
This stuff has been around for awhile and I’ve been getting these injections for 2 years now, every 6 months. 3 shots over a 3 week period. Then cortisteroid inbetween at the 3 month mark. I’m an avid bicyclist and skiier and this is helping me alot. It is however only temporary until I’m on the Medicare dole then full knee replacements.
Has anyone had good results from glucosamine chondroitin?
Oh my......I would love for that to be true and successful. I’m too old for new stuff and I have resolved myself to be a pin cushion for steroid shots every few months in several joints on my bod......
Are you OK with those now?
CA....
Lol. Makes sense if they can harvest them from the person having their joint fixed.
Yea love my man made knees.. They have improved the procedure ..my scar is in the center of my knee ...they now cut from the side, avaoid cutting the muscles to do the replacement ...much quicker recover/rehab time
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