Your future with osteoarthritis won’t have to end with joint replacement. Or at least that is what researchers from a Johns Hopkins study are saying. According to their findings, the development of osteoarthritis may not be solely from the deterioration of cartilage, but rather a surplus of bone that stretches the cartilage. Dr. Xu Cao, the lead researcher on the study, recently appeared in the Nature Medicine journal and explained the process. At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, osteoarthritis patients are constantly seeking more conservative forms for treatment, and this study may be the starting point for future developments.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 27 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis. Most commonly affecting adults 65 years and older, osteoarthritis can be crippling to the joints in the hands, spine, knees, and hips. Historically, the cause of the disease is from a deterioration of the cartilage in affected joints. The Johns Hopkins team was inspired in their research from the lack of effective treatment other than pain management and surgery.
The research and information in the study found that the initial damage and impairment is from the cartilage underneath the bone starting to build extra bone. A protein, TGF beta1, signals stem cells to build new bone, which eventually causes pressure and tear in the cartilage. The researchers conducted their study on mice that had anterior cruciate ligament tears. This kind of damage in a human would lead to osteoarthritis in the knees and most likely require joint replacement surgery.
According to the computer stimulation evidence, the Johns Hopkins team were able to confirm that the development of osteoarthritis was from the surplus of bone formation. Without causing any problems or further damage to the cartilage, the researchers were able to inject a drug to stop the production of the TGF-beta1 protein. In turn, the development of extra bone seized as well.
Because of the success from the study, the Johns Hopkins team is beginning their work on a clinical trial for human patients. If the new round of research shows positive and successful results, joint replacement surgery for osteoarthritis could be old news.
For more information about osteoarthritis, or to see what kind of treatment options Southwest Spine and Pain offers, schedule an appointment at one of the clinics. Don’t suffer from constant pain associated with osteoarthritis. Allow the medical professionals to help and design a treatment plan that works for you!
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
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