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The Discovery FilesJoint Joy!
Thirty-two million Americans have osteoarthritis, deterioration of joint cartilage and the attached bone. Many also have post-traumatic osteoarthritis, PTOA, as a result of an injury, like the more than 3 million veterans who suffer from it. There is no treatment for PTOA other than over-the-counter medications. Yet, researchers have developed a revolutionary gel, which can potentially be delivered by injection directly to the diseased joints to reduce inflammation and induce cartilage regeneration. Learn more at NSF’s “The Discovery Files.”
Credit: U.S. National Science Foundation
Joint Joy!
Hi! I’m Mo Barrow with The Discovery Files, from NSF, the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Ouch! The sound of joints popping. For some, just getting up from the couch is a difficult, noisy, and painful task.
But you aren’t alone! Thirty-two million Americans have osteoarthritis, deterioration of joint cartilage and the attached bone.
Many also have post-traumatic osteoarthritis (or PTOA) as a result of an injury, like the over 3 million veterans suffering from it.
There is no treatment for PTOA that can stop or slow its progression or the associated pain other than over-the-counter medications.
With support from NSF, researchers at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering have developed a revolutionary gel, which can potentially be delivered by injection directly to the diseased joints to reduce inflammation and induce cartilage regeneration.
The research team combined therapeutic molecules to create a gel and a minimally invasive drug delivery system.
The team says the protein-based gel, comprised of native cartilage components, is more likely to be well tolerated by the body than other synthetic composites.
This system can distribute its payload over a sustained period to treat and possibly prevent PTOA and other degenerative joint diseases, ultimately reducing hospital time and healthcare costs.
Stretching your limbs should sound like relief not fireworks!
Discover how the U.S. National Science Foundation is advancing research at nsf.gov.
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