Using a new biomaterial, scientists in the US have&nbsp;successfully repaired the damaged joint cartilage of an animal in a breakthrough that could someday help avoid knee replacement surgeries.

Cartilages are what hold together our joints, and are very difficult to repair or replace once damaged. Most joint cartilage issues are currently treated via microfracture surgery, which involves inducing cartilage growth by creating fractures in the bone. Cartilage damage is the main reason for most knee replacement surgeries.

<h2>Biomaterial repairs damaged cartilage: A breakthrough in regenerative nanomedicine</h2>

The new biomaterial was developed and successfully used in sheep by scientists at Northwestern University. It was injected in sheep with cartilage defects in the stifle joint in an experiment carried out at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.&nbsp;

The biomaterial regenerated high-quality cartilage in the knee joints of the sheep.&nbsp;It was able to not only repair but also grow new cartilage on the damaged knee joints of the animal within six months, according to the university.

The newborn cartilage contained natural biopolymers - collagen II and proteoglycans- which enable pain-free mechanical resilience in joints, it said in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The bioactive materials were used for driving the self-organisation of nanoscale fibres into bundles that mimic the natural architecture of cartilage, it said.

The goal was to create an attractive scaffold for the body’s own cells to regenerate cartilage tissue. "Using bioactive signals in the nanoscale fibres, the material encourages cartilage repair by the cells, which populate the scaffold," Northwestern University said in a release on the experiment.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-strange-highway-formed-between-sun-and-earth-in-2023-nasa-says-747914">A strange 'highway' formed between Sun and Earth in 2023, NASA says</a>

<h2>What is the cartilage repair bioactive material made of?</h2>

The material is a "network of molecular components, which work together to mimic cartilage’s natural environment in the body," and looks like goo, said the release.&nbsp;Once injected,&nbsp;the thick, paste-like material transforms into a rubbery matrix, with new cartilage growing to fill the defect.

It consists of a "bioactive peptide that binds to transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFb-1) — an essential protein for cartilage growth and maintenance — and modified hyaluronic acid, a natural polysaccharide present in cartilage and the lubricating synovial fluid in joints," said the release.

<h2>Regenerative biomaterial: Future of joint therapy?</h2>

There is hope that the bioactive material can eventually be used to repair and regenerate damaged cartilage in humans, avoiding the need for procedures like full knee replacements.

It can help in joint degeneration conditions like osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis and treat&nbsp;sports-related injuries.&nbsp;

“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," the release quoted &nbsp;Samuel I&nbsp;Stupp, lead author of the study from Northwestern University, as saying.

"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.”

Stupp hopes the new material could be also applied to joints during open-joint or arthroscopic surgeries.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Using a new biomaterial, scientists in the US have successfully repaired the damaged joint cartilage of an animal in a breakthrough that could someday help avoid knee replacement surgeries.

Using a new biomaterial, scientists in the US have successfully repaired the damaged joint cartilage of an animal in a breakthrough that could someday help avoid knee replacement surgeries. Cartilages are what hold together our joints, and are very difficult to repair or replace once damaged. Most joint cartilage issues are currently treated via microfracture surgery, which involves inducing cartilage growth by creating fractures in the bone. Cartilage damage is the main reason for most knee replacement surgeries. Biomaterial repairs damaged cartilage: A breakthrough in regenerative nanomedicine The new biomaterial was developed and successfully used in sheep by scientists at Northwestern University. It was injected in sheep with cartilage defects in the stifle joint in an experiment carried out at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The biomaterial regenerated high-quality cartilage in the knee joints of the sheep. It was able to not only repair but also grow new cartilage on the damaged knee joints of the animal within six months, according to the university. The newborn cartilage contained natural biopolymers - collagen II and proteoglycans- which enable pain-free mechanical resilience in joints, it said in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The bioactive materials were used for driving the self-organisation of nanoscale fibres into bundles that mimic the natural architecture of cartilage, it said. The goal was to create an attractive scaffold for the body’s own cells to regenerate cartilage tissue. "Using bioactive signals in the nanoscale fibres, the material encourages cartilage repair by the cells, which populate the scaffold," Northwestern University said in a release on the experiment. Also read: A strange 'highway' formed between Sun and Earth in 2023, NASA says What is the cartilage repair bioactive material made of? The material is a "network of molecular components, which work together to mimic cartilage’s natural environment in the body," and looks like goo, said the release. Once injected, the thick, paste-like material transforms into a rubbery matrix, with new cartilage growing to fill the defect. It consists of a "bioactive peptide that binds to transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFb-1) — an essential protein for cartilage growth and maintenance — and modified hyaluronic acid, a natural polysaccharide present in cartilage and the lubricating synovial fluid in joints," said the release. Regenerative biomaterial: Future of joint therapy? There is hope that the bioactive material can eventually be used to repair and regenerate damaged cartilage in humans, avoiding the need for procedures like full knee replacements. It can help in joint degeneration conditions like osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis and treat sports-related injuries. “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," the release quoted Samuel I Stupp, lead author of the study from Northwestern University, as saying. "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.” Stupp hopes the new material could be also applied to joints during open-joint or arthroscopic surgeries. (With inputs from agencies)

This biomaterial can repair and regenerate cartilage tissue. End in sight for knee replacement surgeries?

The knee and hip joints are the largest joints in the human body, people use both these joints to perform their routine activities. The knee joint holds about 80 per cent&nbsp;of the body weight when a person is standing still and 150 per cent or more of the body weight when they walk across the room. All joints in the body are surrounded by cartilage, which is a smooth and slippery structure that protects the ends of the bones so that the bones glide over each other and don't rub against each other. When an individual puts on some extra kilos, more strain is put on the joint which results in inflammation. This results in osteoarthritis, which is wearing away of the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones. In this case, instead of gliding, the bones start rubbing against each other.

In osteoarthritis, the patient will experience&nbsp;pain, swelling, and loss of movement of the joint which gradually worsens over time. The normal wear and tear in any individual starts at the age of 45 because of changes in protein and water content of the cartilage but in individuals who are overweight, arthritis can begin much earlier.&nbsp;

<h2>How much weight is too much weight?</h2>

Experts estimate that for every 1 pound you weigh, your knees feel the force of 3 pounds when you take a step. So, the more weight you gain, the more pressure your knees feel.&nbsp;

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in America, over 2 out of 3 Americans are overweight or obese and more than 1 in 3 of those obese people will get arthritis in their lifetime. This simply highlights how your weight is directly linked to your knee health.

The ideal weight for any individual is under 25 BMI. Anything over 25 BMI is overweight and after 30 it becomes obese. Therefore, individuals with a BMI of 25 and above are&nbsp;likely to develop knee arthritis simply because the physical wear and tear of the knee joints increases.

<h2>How to reduce the impact on your knees? The dos and don’ts</h2>

Dos

●&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;It is important to keep your weight in check. Performing physical activities like walking, swimming, aerobics, and cycling can help in weight loss which in turn helps in keeping the knees healthy.&nbsp;

●&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;In the case of acute flare-ups of knee pain, it is a good idea to use the RICE approach (rest the joint, the use of ice, compression and elevation of the joint). &nbsp;This can help reduce acute flare-ups of joints.

●&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Even a small change or loss in weight makes a significant improvement in the biomechanics of the knee and the physical strength of the knee. So, celebrate every small milestone.

●&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Elderly people should start using crutches or canes to support the knee joint because over time the wear and tear in the knee joint increases. Hence, it is always useful to use these aids that help take away some sort of physical stress passing through the knee.&nbsp;

●&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Use cushioned insoles. Hard insoles tend to increase the impact of the knee joint.&nbsp;

●&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Lastly, one must reach out to a physician or orthopaedic doctor when they start noticing knee pain rather than wait till it worsens and then reach out to them.

Don’ts

●&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Avoid high-impact exercises such as jumping lunging, kickboxing, etc., since they&nbsp;increase the impact on the knee and the wear and tear of the cartilage.&nbsp;

●&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Another aspect to keep in mind is to avoid the risk of falls. At an older age, with an unstable walking gait, it is better to use support and some sort of home modifications like&nbsp;well-lit corridors in the house, handrails to the staircase and use of a sturdy ladder or footstool to reach a certain height. These precautions will reduce the chance of injury to the knee joints.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-the-vital-role-of-pregnancy-scans-ensuring-babys-health-and-well-being-634069">The vital role of pregnancy scans: Ensuring baby's health and well-being</a>

<h2>What is the connection between weight and arthritis?</h2>

First, obesity leads to joint pain. The joint pain reduces the mobility of an individual. Thus, patients with reduced mobility, stop exercising. Lack of exercise increases body weight again. Therefore, this in turn leads to increased pressure on the joints. It forms a vicious cycle, which is hard to break. When weight increases, it puts pressure on the joints which in turn leads to arthritis. This again reduces body activity and in turn, leads to an increase in body weight.

Second, there are reports showing that extra body fat sometimes increases the chemicals in the bloodstream which causes increased inflammation of the knee joint. Increased inflammation means increased wear and tear of the cartilage which in turn worsens the osteoarthritis.&nbsp;

These are the two factors directly related to weight gain and osteoarthritis. Therefore, it's always a good idea to start losing weight when one notices knee pain early in life rather than reach a point of no return and then regret.

Lastly, meet your doctor as early as possible because, in the early stages of arthritis, one can always attend weight loss programmes, dietary plans and some physiotherapy to conservatively treat these knee problems. However, if the condition worsens, it is always good to get surgery or a knee replacement done so that you can return to your normal schedule and be able to exercise and maintain proper weight.

(With inputs from&nbsp;Dr&nbsp;Samarth Arya, Consultant Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement &amp; Robotic Surgery, SPARSH Hospital)

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The knee and hip joints are the largest joints in the human body, people use both these joints to perform their routine activities. The knee joint holds about 80 per cent of the body weight when a person is standing still and 150 per cent or more of the body weight when they walk across the room.

The knee and hip joints are the largest joints in the human body, people use both these joints to perform their routine activities. The knee joint holds about 80 per cent of the body weight when a person is standing still and 150 per cent or more of the body weight when they walk across the room. All joints in the body are surrounded by cartilage, which is a smooth and slippery structure that protects the ends of the bones so that the bones glide over each other and don't rub against each other. When an individual puts on some extra kilos, more strain is put on the joint which results in inflammation. This results in osteoarthritis, which is wearing away of the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones. In this case, instead of gliding, the bones start rubbing against each other. In osteoarthritis, the patient will experience pain, swelling, and loss of movement of the joint which gradually worsens over time. The normal wear and tear in any individual starts at the age of 45 because of changes in protein and water content of the cartilage but in individuals who are overweight, arthritis can begin much earlier. How much weight is too much weight? Experts estimate that for every 1 pound you weigh, your knees feel the force of 3 pounds when you take a step. So, the more weight you gain, the more pressure your knees feel. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in America, over 2 out of 3 Americans are overweight or obese and more than 1 in 3 of those obese people will get arthritis in their lifetime. This simply highlights how your weight is directly linked to your knee health. The ideal weight for any individual is under 25 BMI. Anything over 25 BMI is overweight and after 30 it becomes obese. Therefore, individuals with a BMI of 25 and above are likely to develop knee arthritis simply because the physical wear and tear of the knee joints increases. How to reduce the impact on your knees? The dos and don’ts Dos ● It is important to keep your weight in check. Performing physical activities like walking, swimming, aerobics, and cycling can help in weight loss which in turn helps in keeping the knees healthy. ● In the case of acute flare-ups of knee pain, it is a good idea to use the RICE approach (rest the joint, the use of ice, compression and elevation of the joint). This can help reduce acute flare-ups of joints. ● Even a small change or loss in weight makes a significant improvement in the biomechanics of the knee and the physical strength of the knee. So, celebrate every small milestone. ● Elderly people should start using crutches or canes to support the knee joint because over time the wear and tear in the knee joint increases. Hence, it is always useful to use these aids that help take away some sort of physical stress passing through the knee. ● Use cushioned insoles. Hard insoles tend to increase the impact of the knee joint. ● Lastly, one must reach out to a physician or orthopaedic doctor when they start noticing knee pain rather than wait till it worsens and then reach out to them. Don’ts ● Avoid high-impact exercises such as jumping lunging, kickboxing, etc., since they increase the impact on the knee and the wear and tear of the cartilage. ● Another aspect to keep in mind is to avoid the risk of falls. At an older age, with an unstable walking gait, it is better to use support and some sort of home modifications like well-lit corridors in the house, handrails to the staircase and use of a sturdy ladder or footstool to reach a certain height. These precautions will reduce the chance of injury to the knee joints. Also read: The vital role of pregnancy scans: Ensuring baby's health and well-being What is the connection between weight and arthritis? First, obesity leads to joint pain. The joint pain reduces the mobility of an individual. Thus, patients with reduced mobility, stop exercising. Lack of exercise increases body weight again. Therefore, this in turn leads to increased pressure on the joints. It forms a vicious cycle, which is hard to break. When weight increases, it puts pressure on the joints which in turn leads to arthritis. This again reduces body activity and in turn, leads to an increase in body weight. Second, there are reports showing that extra body fat sometimes increases the chemicals in the bloodstream which causes increased inflammation of the knee joint. Increased inflammation means increased wear and tear of the cartilage which in turn worsens the osteoarthritis. These are the two factors directly related to weight gain and osteoarthritis. Therefore, it's always a good idea to start losing weight when one notices knee pain early in life rather than reach a point of no return and then regret. Lastly, meet your doctor as early as possible because, in the early stages of arthritis, one can always attend weight loss programmes, dietary plans and some physiotherapy to conservatively treat these knee problems. However, if the condition worsens, it is always good to get surgery or a knee replacement done so that you can return to your normal schedule and be able to exercise and maintain proper weight. (With inputs from Dr Samarth Arya, Consultant Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement & Robotic Surgery, SPARSH Hospital) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

How can weight impact your knees? Know the connection!

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