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 cant 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 theres 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. Its 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 Does It Work
While were not exactly sure, researchers believe that fiber helps protect your knees in a couple of ways.
First, it reduces the levels of C-reactive protein, a protein that has been repeatedly correlated with inflammation. Second, fiber increases satiety, which makes you feel fuller and therefore prevents you from overeating.
Computer-generated image of C reactive protein
So, you should focus on getting more fiber in your diet, as the best foods for your knees include loads of them. This can be achieved through fibrous vegetables , as well as minimally processed cereals and whole-grain products.
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Knee Cartilage And Osteoarthritis
The Knees Cartilage consists of an extracellular matric and an intracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix of articular cartilage is mainly made up of a collagen framework and water. The collagenous framework consists of Glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, and hyaluronic acid. A proteoglycan of clinical importance is known as Aggrecan, which is a cartilage-specific proteoglycan core protein. This binds to the hyaluronic acid found in the cartilage and promotes properties like increased compressibility and elasticity in the cartilages.
In a healthy individual, the molecular size, shape, and volume of hyaluronic acid in the Synovial fluid may remain the same throughout life. However, certain conditions can accelerate the drop in concentration of Hyaluronic acid as an individual age. This may affect the elastic and viscous properties of the synovial fluid, which makes it viscous and non-elastic.
One of the first changes seen in Osteoarthritis of the Knee is the destruction of Aggrecan by the enzyme known as aggrecanases. This leads to erosion of the cartilage. These changes in the extracellular matrix may also lead to a reduced concentration of hyaluronic acid molecules in the knee cartilage.
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Talk With A Doctor About Which Procedure Is Right For You
If youre experiencing knee pain, have a discussion with your primary care physician. They can refer you to a physical therapist or an orthopedist who specializes in knee health. The solution isnt always surgery, though for severe cartilage damage, some invasive intervention is likely.
Your age and activity level are two key factors in determining what approach is best for you. The nature and severity of the problem in your knee is another factor.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about whats involved in various procedures and recovery periods. Its also important to find out the costs of a procedure and how much of that expense will be covered by your insurance.
Regardless of which knee cartilage treatment you have, you should be prepared for a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation phase. A study in the
How To Regrow Collagen In The Knee
Fact Checked
Collagen is a plentiful protein and vital component of muscles, organs, skin, tendons and connective tissue, such as cartilage. Cartilage, found in the knee and throughout the body, acts as shock-absorbing padding between bones, protecting joints and facilitating movement. With age, collagen production slows and cartilage degenerates, often resulting in pain, stiffness and inflammation that can lead to osteoarthritis. Food alone can’t replace collagen in your knee joints, but certain nutrients can help preserve the collagen you have and optimize your bodys own collagen synthesis.
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Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid In The Knee Joint
Synovial fluid is important for the healthy functioning of joints. The primary element found in Hyaluronic acid, which gives it its specific functions, is the polysaccharide chains made with a molecular weight of 4 to 8 million Da. It is composed of N-acetylglucosamine and glucuronic acid, which the Synoviocytes and chondrocytes produce. A healthy knee joint consists of at least 2 ml of synovial fluids, with a concentration of hyaluronic acid of between 2.5 to 4 mg per ml.
When an individual moves their joint, the hyaluronic acid acts as a shock absorber and lubricant, which helps protect the joints articular cartilage and other structures. This help reduces the wear of articular cartilages due to the shear and compression forces induced on them. Another benefit of Hyaluronic acid on the joints is its supplication of oxygen and nutrients to the surrounding tissues meanwhile removing metabolic waste and carbon dioxide.
Hyaluronic acid also exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in the joints. This improves the full pain symptoms associated with joint diseases like Osteoarthritis. This is proven by studies that have shown hyaluronic acid to reduce the rate of leucocyte adherence, phagocytosis, production of pro-inflammatory mediators, and release of arachidonic acid from the fibroblasts of the synovial tissues.
How Are Articular Cartilage Injuries Diagnosed
Diagnosing cartilage injuries and damage usually entails obtaining a medical history, performing a physical exam, and ordering one or more diagnostic tests.
The doctor will start by asking about pain and other symptoms in and around the affected joint. He or she may also ask about previous surgeries, whether any specific injury precipitated the symptoms, and the types of physical activities typically performed.
During the physical exam, the doctor will observe how the joint moves. He or she may bend and rotate the joint to evaluate pain, swelling, range of motion and ligament stability. He or she may also ask the patient to move in certain ways for instance, if the knee is injured, the patient may be asked to perform a squat, walk, or duck walk.
Imaging studies, including a weight-bearing X-ray and/or a magnetic resonance imaging study, may also be needed. These tests allow a doctor to detect and determine the severity of any damage to the articular cartilage, underlying bone, and surrounding tissues and ligaments. In patients with arthritis, in which cartilage loss is extensive, weight-bearing X-rays will show the bones touching one another.
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Video: How To Quickly Regenerate Damaged Cartilage
In case of a damage of the cartilage, or its complete disappearance, there are several symptoms that can indicate this health condition, such as pain when moving, as well as swelling and muscle tension. The following are the best tips and natural remedies for cartilage regeneration on your hips and knees How to regenerate cartilage naturally The term arthroses encompasses a quantity of joint pathologies from the most to the least disabling. Among people over age 50, these pathologies are a primary cause of poor living and represent the most disabling health problem for a large proportion of them The Agili-C surgical implant is a biological scaffold onto which the bodys own stem cells grow and regenerate the damaged bone and cartilage naturally. Gradually, over six to 12 months, the.
Testing The Strength Of Artificial Cartilage
The hydrogel passed with top marks in the categories of stretching and squishing and showed better performance than other existing hydrogels. It was able to hold up during a test of 100,000 repeated pulls.
According to materials scientist Feichen Yang, also from Duke University, only the combination of all three components is both flexible and stiff, making the material strong.
They also tested the hydrogel by rubbing it against like the natural cartilage for more than a million times. The hydrogel has also shown to be just as resistant to wear and tear as the real thing. Moreover, it is even more durable than artificial cartilage being used in big toe operations.
However, according to researchers, it could take up to three years before this new hydrogel can be approved for use in humans. So, there is still some way to go before it can be used on patients who need knee replacements.
They have only tested the non-toxicity of the material on lab-grown cells. When it can be safely transplanted into an animal, in this case, a sheep, only then can trials on humans begin.
The new material shows a lot of promise as an option for those experiencing knee replacement surgeries that may one day be able to restore a joint to its full working order without a long recovery period. It should also help until the cartilage regrows.
The researchers published their study in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
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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.
Is It Possible To Rebuild Cartilage
In general, it is not possible to rebuild cartilage once it is gone. For those who are affected by conditions like osteoarthritis, the cartilage in joints will likely continue to wear away year after year, until there is none left. The only way to restore the joint at that time is to do a full replacement. Other possible treatments may include pain medications and supplements to ease stiffness and prevent further loss.
Although it is not possible to rebuild cartilage, some joints that are constantly painful may be replaced through surgery. Not all joints are eligible for this procedure, and the most common are the hips and knees. In most cases, an artificial joint is implanted into the body to replace the defective one. These new joints last upwards of 15 to 20 years, and pain is almost always alleviated entirely.
There are some indications that certain supplements and emerging treatments may help make it possible to rebuild cartilage, but there is not any evidence as of yet to back these theories up. Glucosamine, for example, has been rumored to rebuild cartilage in the joints of those who suffer from arthritis and other chronic conditions. Medical treatments are also under development, but they are not completed and have not been tested for effectiveness.
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Lose Weight To Lessen Stress On Your Knees
Extra weight puts pressure on the knees and increases stress on the joint, increasing pain and making it hard to exercise. Research compiled by the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center confirms that carrying extra pounds raises your risk of developing knee arthritis and speeds up the destruction of cartilage that cushions the joint.
Its not easy, but losing weight can help, whether youre dealing with arthritis in one or both knees. If you are overweight or obese, consulting with a nutritionist or a bariatric specialist may be the right place to start.
Can You Regenerate Joint Cartilage
What comes to your mind when you hear the word cartilage? For most people, cartilage is just the smooth coating that reduces joint friction by covering the end of bones.
However, thats not the only reason you have cartilage in your body.
For starters, cartilage is one of the reasons why your bones grow when hyaline cartilage changes to bone in a process called endochondral ossification.
Classic examples of bones that develop straight from cartilage are your ribs, which are initially soft when you are young and become strong as you age because they transform from cartilage to bone.
Besides acting to reduce friction and form bones,cartilage also acts as shock absorbers to protect bones and joints during daily use.
Unfortunately, cartilage is one of those parts of the body thats prone to complications, and these complications can manifest with dire consequences, especially when they cause cartilage levels to decrease.
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Knee Injections To Replace Cartilage
In this article you will find information about the most effective knee injections to replace cartilage and the science behind how they work. Many surgical and non-surgical treatment options are available for conditions affecting the knee including osteoarthritis. These may include weight loss, arthroscopy, physical therapy, and injection therapy whether surgical or non-surgical, physiotherapy with low impact exercises is often recommended. However, some individuals also require the help of drug therapy to improve their pain, inflammation, and quality of life.
The medications which are most commonly prescribed for knee osteoarthritis include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , paracetamol, and corticosteroids, which may be given as pills or Intraarticular injections. Individuals with refractory pain may also be advised opioids and heavy analgesics. However, it is important to keep in mind that most of these medications can lead to adverse effects when used in the long term.
The Regions Best Aci Surgeon In Pittsburgh Pa
For younger patients, especially athletes who play high school and college sports, an injury to the knee, ankle, hip or other joint can be extremely scary. If you arent able to make a full recovery, this could mean the end of not only your ability to play the sport you love, but potentially any opportunities that you received as a result of your hard work and talent. Luckily, Dr. Rytel also offers opportunities for these patients to receive treatment that can result in complete restoration of your range of motion, and eventually a return to sports.
One of the most commonly implemented treatments of this kind is known as autologous chondrocyte implantation, or ACI. During an ACI procedure, Dr. Rytel will implant a particular type of cartilage cell into the damaged or affected area of your joint. By introducing healthy cells, we are able to stimulate the natural growth and regeneration of cartilage in the area that is causing you pain, discomfort or lack of mobility.
While most patients who receive ACI are doing so to reverse damage in the joints of the knees, ACI is applicable to any joint that contains hyaline cartilage, the type of cells that are implanted during the procedure. In the right circumstances, this can include the ankles, shoulders, elbows, hips, and even toes.
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Eat Fruits Nuts And Dairy
Fisher-Titus Medical Center also recommends that your knee cartilage repair food plan includes creamy avocados. These tasty fruits are loaded with essential fatty acids and antioxidant-rich oils, both of which help combat joint inflammation and facilitate cartilage repair. Osteoarthritis patients might find this versatile fruit especially helpful.
Beneficial fruits also include grapefruit, which is rich in bioflavonoids and vitamin C. These nutrients team up to strengthen cartilage and fight inflammation. Choose red grapefruit as it contains more antioxidants compared to the yellow variety. These refreshing fruits are also foods good for the joints and cartilage.
Compact little berries pack a big antioxidant punch too. Raspberries, cherries and elderberries contain anthocyanins that help knock down various chemicals associated with inflammation. If you suffer from gout, consider noshing on black cherries, which may help prevent that painful condition.
Add more anti-inflammatory foods, such as extra-virgin olive oil and walnuts, to your meal plan. Brazil nuts are packed with selenium, a mineral that may improve the quality of cartilage protein. Yogurt and kefir are rich in probiotics that may help relieve rheumatoid arthritis joint inflammation.
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Oats Cartilage Repair Surgery
During your first appointment with Dr. Rytel, youll first discuss with him whether or not cartilage restoration is the right call for your particular condition. If you do decide that opting for cartilage repair surgery as the next step will produce the best outcome for you at the end of this conversation, well then discuss which type of surgery is right for you. Depending on your condition and the location of your cartilage degeneration, you have a few standard options, one of which is called OATS.
OATS is an acronym which stands for Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System. Its similar to another common procedure known as mosaicplasty, during which Dr. Rytel will remove a certain amount of bone and cartilage from a healthier area of your body than the one affected. Using this healthy bone and tissue, Dr. Rytel will replace the cartilage that has degenerated in your affected joint, allowing your body to heal and gradually restoring your mobility. The difference between OATS and traditional mosaicplasty is that during an OATS procedure, Dr. Rytel will remove a larger amount of healthy cartilage, allowing for less back-and-forth during your surgery as he only needs to move one or two plugs.
OATS is most often performed to correct cartilage degeneration in the knees. If knee discomfort, pain or lack of mobility is having an impact on your quality of life, call Dr. Rytel to see if this procedure is the right option for you.
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