To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: New Joint Polymer May Provide Relief From Osteoarthritis URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/4485E.htm Doctor's Guide November 10, 1997
WASHINGTON, MD -- November 10, 1997 -- A new polymer which can be introduced into a joint using minimally-invasive techniques may one day provide relief for millions of people with osteoarthritis, according to research presented at the American College of Rheumatology National Scientific Meeting Nov. 9-12, 1997 in Washington, MD. Osteoarthritis is the wear-and-tear disease that affects the joints of about 16 million people in the United States. In osteoarthritis, cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the joint breaks down, preventing smooth movement in the joint. The disease can become so painful the only treatment is joint replacement, a costly procedure that has a long recovery time. But research presented by Jeffrey Felt, MD, indicates a new polymer can provide a smooth surface to restore joints in which the cartilage is degraded. The liquid polymer, under development by Advanced Bio-Surfaces, Inc., is applied to the joint surface. The polymer cures in the body and restores the bone surface. This allows the bone surfaces to glide smoothly against each other and reduce the painful effects of osteoarthritis. The polymer has been tested in sheep with promising results. The Minnesota researchers noted encouraging signs of cartilage regeneration adjacent to the polymer. The substance caused no inflammation in the joints and no damage to surrounding structures. "As with any new substance injected into the body, our biggest concern is safety," Dr. Felt said. "We did a thorough examination of the animals in which we injected the polymer and we found no abnormalities. This research is preliminary and more tests are necessary to determine whether this product works safely over the long term, but the early data is very encouraging." The paper was presented, at a news conference co-sponsored by the American College of Rheumatology and the University of Missouri-Columbia Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (MARRTC). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.