Osteoarthritis is one of the world’s most common diseases and mainly affects older adults.
The disease breaks down cartilage in the joints and can lead to pain and difficulty moving.
Today, many patients receive either pain medication or undergo major surgery involving joint replacements. Researchers are therefore searching for less invasive solutions, according to SciTechDaily.
A research team from several American universities has now developed two new methods designed to help the body repair damage in joints and bones on its own.
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New methods
One treatment is an injection delivered directly into the joint. The medicine is released slowly over several months.
The second method uses a special material that helps the body’s own cells rebuild damaged tissue.
The project is supported by the American health program ARPA-H, which has allocated up to 33.5 million dollars for the research.
Promising results
So far, the researchers have tested the treatments on animals. Damaged joints showed significant improvement after four to eight weeks.
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Experiments using human cells have also produced positive results, but the treatments are not yet ready for general use.
If the next studies go well, the first human trials could begin within about 18 months.
The researchers hope the treatment could eventually reduce the need for major surgery.
Sources: SciTechDaily.
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