A NEW injectable “goo” could reverse the damage done by agonising conditions like osteoarthritis, scientists suggest.
Northwestern University has created a substance from hyaluronic acid and peptide that regrows cartilage between joints.
The rubbery “goo” was injected into the damaged knees of sheep, which are similar to human knees.
Within just six months, new cartilage has grown between the joins and it contained collagen and other substances necessary for pain-free movement.
The researchers claimed the goo could one day prevent knee replacement surgery, treat osteoarthritis and repair sports-related injuries.
It brings hope for millions of sufferers with the joint condition, who can only numb the pain caused by the condition but not reverse it.
Some 8.5million Brits have painful joints from osteoarthritis and 200,000 have new hips or knees each year.
Celebs, including Dawn French and the late Robbie Coltrane, from Harry Potter, have spoken publically about suffering from the disease.
“Cartilage is a critical component in our joints,” said Northwestern’s Samuel I. Stupp, who led the study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
“When cartilage becomes damaged or breaks down over time, it can have a great impact on people’s overall health and mobility.
“The problem is that, in adult humans, cartilage does not have an inherent ability to heal.
“Our new therapy can induce repair in a tissue that does not naturally regenerate.
“We think our treatment could help address a serious, unmet clinical need.”
The new goo also works as a “scaffold” to support the growth of new cartilage while also sending signals to the body to encourage old cartilage repair.
The team tested the material in the stifle joint of sheep – a joint in the hind legs that resembles the human knee.
Like in humans, sheep cartilage is stubborn and very difficult to grow once damaged.
Researchers injected the “thick, paste-like material” into broken cartilage, where it transformed into a “rubbery matrix”.
The new cartilage then grew into the holes of the rubbery scaffold after it decayed.
Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition that can't be cured
But there are ways to manage the symptoms.
Here are some self-help tips that may help:
Workout
Exercise is the big one – it produces heat, which can positively affect pain.
The endorphin effect – 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week, can make you happier, and people who are happier tend to experience lower pain levels.
Increased blood flow helps to reduce further degeneration by bringing nutrients to the damaged area.
Increased lymphatic stimulation, which carries away waste products, also helps to prevent further degeneration.
The effects on strength, flexibility, balance and control directly protect the joints.
Heat therapy
Many respond well to heat therapy – whether in the form of creams, heat packs, hot water bottles or baths.
Medications
Painkillers and anti-inflammatories can help to relieve pain.
Alternative treatments
This can include acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and massage.
Source: NHS. Further information and support can be found at NHS and Arthritis Action.
