The Hard Work Is Starting To Pay Off
For both approaches, we are still a long way from having a treatment that can be used in clinical practice, but, if all goes well, we could be in clinical trials in a few years.
Our aim is to turn osteoarthritis into a curable or at least preventable disease. If this approach works in humans, we expect that a simple knee injection or some keyhole surgery will be enough to heal cartilage defects and prevent further damage. We might even be able to treat already developed osteoarthritis and avoid the need for joint replacement.
Its disheartening having to tell patients with osteoarthritis that there is little we can do for them except offer painkillers and physiotherapy. It is a dream to be able to offer a medical treatment that can return these patients to their jobs, to their hobbies and to fulfilling lives. We are hopeful that all the efforts to understand how the joint cells work are finally paying off, and we are near to achieving this dream.
Helpful Vitamins For Arthritis
Although there isn’t a “best arthritis vitamin” designation, two vitamins are known to strengthen the muscles, joint cartilage and connective tissue, says the Arthritis Foundation. Vitamin C is especially helpful as it helps form and maintain connective tissue and collagen.
Next, magnesium is a multi-tasking mineral, and its benefits begin with a focus on joint cartilage maintenance. It also supports good muscle and nerve function, contributes to bone strength and regulates the heart rhythm.
According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, antioxidants like vitamin E and selenium may benefit patients dealing with rheumatoid arthritis, one of many forms of arthritis. Specifically, these nutrients may reduce free radical damage to the joint linings, which in turn, decreases pain and swelling.
Despite this potential benefit, antioxidants’ effectiveness hasn’t yet been proven in human clinical trials. Although you’d ideally obtain all of these nutrients through your diet, you might need supplements to compensate for existing deficiencies.
Read more:How to Determine if a Vitamin or Supplement Is Actually Right for You
What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of Cartilage Damage In The Knee
Cartilage damage can affect your knee in different ways.
Torn cartilage can get caught between the structures of your knee, resulting in pain, swelling and sometimes a locking or catching sensation.
You may also experience a feeling of instability and weakness.
Knee pain can cause you to alter your gait, which can, in turn, lead to misalignment and pain in your knees, ankles or hips.
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Wear And Tear Due To Joint Conditions
In the human body, the most common disease of the cartilage which is also the most common form of joint disease isosteoarthritis.
This condition causes destruction and reduction of cartilage mass in a wear-and-tear fashion.
When cartilage is worn out, the bones that meet at a joint start rubbing against each other because the element that was once reducing friction has now been eliminated.
The pain that results from this process is often excruciating.
Besides this, there are over 100 forms of joint diseases that can cause the amount of cartilage to decrease.
They are collectively known as arthritis and include rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, and more.
Can You Regrow Cartilage In Your Knee
Cartilage is a crucial part of our body. Though it is very strong yet flexible. Bones move against each other only with the help of cartilageand that also without any damage or injury. But many times, to protect the bones, cartilage got damaged itself and it becomes a very typical situation for an adult one to cope up with it when it is a knee cartilage injury. This is because once we are adults, the cartilage cannot grow itself. The main reason behind it includes the absence of blood vessels. As it does not contain any blood vessels so oxygenated red blood cells cannot reach the damaged tissue and thus it cannot heal itself.
However, one can fix it with the help of doctors and surgeons. As knee cartilage acts as a shock absorber, pressure absorber, stop bones to hit against each other while walking, jumping, running, etc., Once it gets hurt, there occurs a situation of pain and inability to move. In general terms, this cartilage or tendon acts as a cushion between the bones, and thus people with injured cartilage experience stiffness, redness, swelling, and high pain.
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Humans May Possess Ability To Regrow Cartilage
HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 9, 2019 — Humans may lack the salamander skill of regrowing a limb, but a new study suggests they do have some capacity to restore cartilage in their joints.
The findings run counter to a widely held belief: Because the cartilage cushioning your joints lacks its own blood supply, your body can’t repair damage from an injury or the wear-and-tear of aging.
And that, in part, is why so many people eventually develop osteoarthritis, where broken-down cartilage causes pain and stiffness in the joints.
But that lack of blood supply does not mean there’s no regenerative capacity in the cartilage, according to Dr. Virginia Byers Kraus, the senior researcher on the new study.
In fact, her team found evidence that human cartilage can, to some degree, renew itself, using a molecular process similar to the one that allows a salamander to grow a new limb.
The researchers are calling it the “inner salamander capacity.”
“For the first time, we have evidence that the joint has the capacity to repair itself,” said Kraus, a professor at Duke University School of Medicine, in Durham, N.C.
Specifically, she explained, that capability exists in a “gradient.” It’s greatest in the ankle, less apparent in the knee, and lowest in the hip.
Dr. Scott Rodeo, an orthopedic surgeon not involved in the study, said the findings raise some interesting questions.
As it happens, microRNAs also help salamanders regrow lost limbs.
Science Advances
How To Build Cartilage In Knee Naturally & Powerrebound
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Can You Grow Cartilage By Eating Certain Foods Or Supplements
by Pain Doc | Feb 21, 2011 | Uncategorized
Cartilage, specifically, hyaline cartilage is the tissue that lines the articular surfaces of bones. If the cartilage deteriorates it can lead to pain and inflammation in the weight bearing joints, mostly the knees and hips, as nerve endings in the joint get exposed to abrasive action. This can force the sufferer to elect for knee or hip replacement surgery, as well as artificial disc surgery. Smaller joints such as in the fingers can be affected as well.
Cartilage is made by special cells called chondroblasts. These cells make the extracellular matrix of cartilage, comprised of Type II collagen and ground substance, which is comprised of proteoglycans and elastin. Another important constituent is hyaluronic acid, which improves the resiliency and hydration of cartilage. Without going into too much detail, a proteoglycan is a protein molecule with a chain of sugar molecules attached called glycosaminoglycans, or GAGs. The two GAGs that are best known to the public are glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate, the key ingredients in most cartilage and bone supplements. Glucosamine sulfate is the one found in the exoskeletons of shellfish, as well as some fungi.
Persons suffering from the various forms of arthritis such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have cartilage tissue that is undergoing inflammation and degradation, either mechanical in nature or auto-immune.
Knee Cartilage Repair Regeneration And Replacement
There are two primary types of cartilage in the knee: articular cartilage and meniscus . SeeSoft Tissue of the Knee Joint
These surgeries can be performed on almost any joint, but they are most commonly performed on knees. They are generally appropriate for people who have specific cartilage injuries rather than widespread cartilage damage, like that found in moderate to severe knee arthritis.
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Cartilage Injury Treatment At Oasis Orthopedic & Spine
Never let a suspected cartilage injury or tear go untreated. The experts at Oasis Orthopedic & Spine can diagnose and treat your injury.
Whether you have suffered an accident or are experiencing degenerative pain, we can help you find the relief you deserve starting with an accurate diagnosis. Start yours now with our online pain assessment tool below.
What Is Articular Cartilage
The matrix of cartilage is made up of collagens, proteoglycans, and non-collagenous proteins. While cartilage is a highly-organized structure, about 85% of cartilage is water. This decreases to about 70% of older people. Chondrocytes are the only cells found in cartilage and this produces and maintains the cartilage matrix.
Articular cartilage serves as the cushion and shock absorber within the joint. It does so because it lines the ends of the two bones that form the joint.
Cartilage damage can be caused by several conditions including:
- Joint injury
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Joints affected by cartilage damage become painful, stiff, and have a limited range of motion.
Cartilage has a limited capacity to heal itself. Consequently, articular cartilage has become the focus of many researchers and tissue engineers who strive to be able to grow new cartilage and transplant it in place of damaged or worn cartilage.
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Studies On Damaged Cartilage Regeneration
A study done by the University of Maryland Medical Center concluded that lysine deficiency can delay the growth of damaged cartilage. It can also affect the regeneration of skin cells, which damages the total reconstruction of the area involved with the physical damage.
12 mg of lysine for every kilo of body weight is what you should consume in order to help the body be able to rebuild cartilage faster. The foods that contain high levels of lysine are:
- Legumes
Physical Steps To Restore Joint Cartilage
First and foremost, its important to limit high-impact damage to joint cartilage.
Activities like jogging, jumping from high objects, and impact sports may be fine for younger people, since joint cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and other structures are more flexible and forgiving. But as we get older, the pounding places undue stress and damage on joint cartilage. Thats why you would be hard-pressed these days to find an older professional football player who doesnt have severe joint problems and/or a joint replacement.
Additionally, obesity places constant and unnecessary stress on the joints, which is increased even more when walking or doing upright activities. Losing even a few pounds of excess weight can make a profound difference in both joint pain and long-term joint health.
Likewise, its important to move every joint in the body through its complete range of motion every day. Since cartilage doesnt have a blood supply like other living tissues, it must receive its nutrients and remove any waste material by way of the synovial fluid within the joint capsule. Range-of-motion exercises help ensure this synovial exchange of fluid occurs regularly over the entire joint surface.
Regular exercise is essential for joint health too. Exercises that dont unduly compress joint cartilage can help preserve joint mobility and stability, and overall circulation. Exercise also helps decrease stress hormones and inflammation throughout the body.
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Is This The Gateway To Limb Regeneration Research
These two findings lay important groundwork for future research because, one day soon, scientists will be able to identify those cells in salamanders not found in humans which enable salamanders to regenerate entire limbs.
When this happens, perhaps researchers will be able to reproduce these regenerator cells and create a cocktail mixture with human MicroRNA that can be injected into humans to repair joint injuries or maybe be developed into medicines that can prevent or reverse arthritis.
And, who knows? Maybe one day in the not too distant future, scientists will discover the key to regenerating entire human limbs so we humans can channel our inner salamander!
Solutions For Knee Pain
When people are in pain, they often turn to:
- Over-the counter medicine
- Arthoscopic surgery
- Hyaluronic acid gel injections
These are not long-term solutions, and they can mask the problem. Not only are they ineffective, but they can also be expensive and require repeated medical appointments. In the case of opioid painkillers, long-term use can lead to abuse, dependence and addiction.
The good news is, patients suffering from any kind of joint pain may be considered as candidates for stem cell therapy.
After several years of suffering due to osteoarthritis , patients come to Native Stem Cell Clinics for relief from knee pain.
Do any of these situations sound familiar?
- Having a hard time getting up from a chair.
- Difficulty walking up and down the stairs.
- Trouble standing for long periods of time.
- Physical activity is painful.
- Your knee feels like it is going to give out.
- Swelling in the knee. Popping. Cracking.
- Difficulty sleeping.
At Native Stem Cell Clinics, stem cell therapy is the most encouraging treatment for knee pain that we have seen in some time.
We have developeda process known as ReVivaStem®, which uses a patients own adult stem cells, injected into the source of the pain, to regrow hyaline cartilage, the type of cartilage that covers the ends of bones in your knees, hips, shoulders and other joints. This cartilage can carry the weight of the body.
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Stages Of Cartilage Damage
- Stages I and II of cartilage damage are early stages. Once cartilage gets damaged, in its place fibrous cartilage is formed which has very poor mechanical strength.
- Presence of fibrous cartilage makes the joint susceptible to further injuries and it becomes very difficult to carry out normal activities like walking, running, yoga and sports. Reduced physical activity will lead to diseases associated with sedentary lifestyle such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disorders.
- A stage IV arthritic joint needs to be replaced by Total Knee Replacement Surgery.
How To Quickly Regenerate Damaged Cartilage
14 March, 2019
One of the most common injuries for people is damaged cartilage. It tends to be very painful but recent studies have conducted that your diet helps you regenerate cartilage even faster.
Cartilage is a very flexible structure that weightlessly supports certain structures like the pinna , nose, and joints. There are areas in our body that are much more sensitive to getting injured, such as the knee joints, and are always more affected in those who do daily physical activities like athletes.
It can also affect elderly people because of the natural deterioration of the body at a certain age.
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For Fast And Effective Diagnosis And Treatment Of Knee Cartilage Damage In London Contact The Capital Orthopaedics Team Here
Your knee is the largest joint in your body, and it takes a massive force every step you take. 346% of your body weight goes through your knee when youre walking downstairs. Running can put 11 times your body weight through your knee joint. And the heavier you are, the greater the force.
Our knees have to be pretty extraordinary structures to be able to cope with this enormous strain.
As in all joints, the bones are coated in a layer of slippery cartilage which enables smooth, friction-free movement. In the middle of your knee are two rubbery, semi-circular pieces of cartilage called menisci, which provide additional shock absorption.
Small fluid-filled sacs called bursa also help with cushioning as you pound away at your knee joints.
Just as in any mechanical structure, repeated force or a sudden impact will cause the parts of your knee joint to get worn, torn or damaged.
The result is a pain in your knees. It may be a dull ache, or sharp, debilitating pain. It may be accompanied by swelling and a feeling of instability. It may change your life
No matter what the best thing you can do is get a diagnosis, and the sooner the better. Joints that take that much force on a daily basis rarely get better on their own. Many knee conditions can be resolved with physiotherapy if they are caught soon enough. Even if you need surgery, the sooner you can get treated, the less likely you are to have ongoing repercussions such as osteoarthritis.
Foods That Help Your Joints
Eating foods good for joints and cartilage may help relieve the symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, including osteoarthritis and gout. In some cases, you might even be able to prevent or delay their progression.
Miriam E. Nelson, Ph.D., of Tufts University, states that eating to protect your joints can potentially reduce painful inflammation and annoying stiffness. By adding exercise to a healthy diet, you’ll likely lose weight, which also helps ease the stress on your hip and knee joints. Even a small reduction in body weight is a step in the right direction.
Per Dr. Nelson, you should consume one or more servings of fish, nuts, soy and legumes each day. Limit meat, eggs and poultry to two servings daily. Add three servings of vegetables, three servings of fruits and four to nine servings of starches, with at least half from whole grain sources.
Between two and three servings of reduced-fat milk, cheese and yogurt cover the dairy category. Omega-3 oils are very desirable, but you should limit all other oils and fats. It’s also advisable to limit your consumption of sugary foods.
Dr. Nelson’s recommendations are based on smaller size “servings” rather than heaping portions that often fill diners’ plates. Also, making these healthy foods a priority means your plate won’t have much room for calorie-packed processed foods that don’t provide much nutrition. These principles also provide a good foundation for an osteoarthritis diet.
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