Arthritis progression may be slowed by biologic knee replacement

June 9, 2011 - PRLog -- A Stone Research Foundation study found that biologic knee repair, as opposed to artificial joint replacements, could further slow the progression of osteoarthritis of the knee.  The study incorporated 119 meniscal allograft transplantations performed with articular cartilage repair.  The study was published in the British Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.

The cartilage ring that surrounds the knee and reinforces the joint structure is known as the meniscus.  A joint that loses its meniscus over time has accelerated risk of developing arthritis.  

Stone Research Foundation chairman Kevin R. Stone, M.D. hopes the results that were recently published will forestall the cause and necessity of artificial knee replacement.  The meniscal allograft is used to replace a damage meniscus with the healthy meniscus in the knee.  By doing so, it is hoped that the healthy meniscus will help to decrease the development of arthritis progression in the future.

These research results could help significantly impact the ever-growing practice of artificial knee replacement.  By 2030, the number of total knee replacement surgeries is predicted to increase to 3.4 million.

Dr. Dennis Lox, a physical medicine and rehabilitation, and regenerative medicine specialist in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, notes an increase in the interest in biologic agents to halt the progression of arthritis, as well as studies evaluating its effectiveness.  

“There will be more and more interest in alternatives to total knee replacement, especially in the younger age set who would like to not have their arthritis progress to the point of needing a total knee replacement,” said Dr. Lox.

Dr. Lox points out that there are emerging clinical trials on stem cell therapy to halt the progression of osteoarthritis in knee patients, and as further information becomes available, this may continue to offer more treatment options to patients.  

“The field of regenerative medicine, particularly utilizing biological agents, is certainly an interesting proposition for the future,” said Dr. Lox.  “Techniques, such as platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapy, have been used both internationally and in the athletic community already.”

“As the athletic ‘weekend warrior’ population continues to age, they are going to want to maintain their functional level for as long as possible and biological agents may be a way for them to do that,” concluded Dr. Lox.

http://www.DrLox.com

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Dennis M. Lox, M.D. is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Since 1990, he has used sports medicine techiques and cutting-edge technology to help heal musculoskeletal injuries and relieve pain.