New promising treatment for knee OA

[PMRpro]

Not exactly on-piste but there are lots of people with knee osteoarthritis on the forum and I thought you would be interested in this article:

news-medical.net/news/20241...

It comes from a reliable research hospital in Berlin. It does sound as if it is likely to at least postpone knee replacement surgery and possibly replace it for many patients.

[Seekingasolution]

thanks Pro. Hopefully they’ll move on to hips and ankles too !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Seekingasolution]

I suspect it is dependent on there being a suitable blood supply involved.

[Miserere]

Thanks PMRpro - looks promising but sometime in the future. I have had one knee replaced but although on the list for the other (this month) I decided against as it is not causing any great problem even though the x-rays look bad. At least it should give someone who is in the pain I was before I had the first knee done the opportunity to have surgery earlier.

[Bcol]

Interesting read, thank you. I wonder if it would as effective, or effective at all, if you have already got to the bone on bone stage?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bcol]

Probably not - I think the idea is to get in there before Stage 3 at the latest. The same applies with platelet rich plasma injections which are even said to benefit at Stage 3 so you don't get to the agony and disability of Stage 4.

[MarksPoint]

Thanks for sharing.....I guess there is always Hope !!!

[Poshcards]

very interesting read, my knees are now very painful x

[pmr_nikola]

If I am reading correctly, this procedure blocks the blood flow to area of pain and that is how it helps (numbs the pain). I don't quite understand how stopping blood flow will actually improve or prevent further damage to knee.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to pmr_nikola]

"Embolization of the abnormal blood vessels helps to disrupt the cycle of inflammation, cartilage destruction and sensory nerve growth that characterizes osteoarthritis"

It is being realised that OA is also a product of inflammation which can destroy the cartilage. And disruption of the nerves will relieve pain.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to pmr_nikola]

PS, I think it isn't being expected to replace knee replacement for anyone eligible for one but there are loads of patients who don't fulfill the criteria yet or who can't have surgery for various reasons but other options such as steroid injections haven't worked. If this reduces pain for them it is valuable.

[pmr_nikola]

That is the part that sounds too good to be true (to me)... Usually increased blood flow helps with inflammation .. like when you have injury you apply ice and warm to stimulate blood supply to the area

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to pmr_nikola]

You'll have to ask the bods at Charitee in Berlin!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to pmr_nikola]

kansashealthsystem.com/care...

has a section explaining the rationale.

[pmr_nikola in reply to PMRpro]

thanks.. I see they target new blood vessels to reduce the pain and "brake inflammation and pain cycle"...

"Pain development with osteoarthritis involves a feedback loop where pain is the result of low-level inflammation. The inflammation releases chemicals into the blood, which results in the formation of new blood vessels in the knee. The development of new blood vessels results in greater pain/inflammation and starts the cycle again."

much better explanation.

[artfingers]

Fascinating. Hope they continue on to other areas of the body with similar issues due to osteoarthritis or other disease issues. I always wondered why there weren't ways to zap or remove nerves in folks with serious pain issues.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to artfingers]

There are - but zapping nerves may also result in impairment of function. Not much use being pain-free of you also can't stand - or even move.