A new study into friction has revealed clues about what may cause arthritis. Thanks to the research, carried out at the UC Santa Barbara, in the Department of Materials and the Department of Chemical Engineering, there may be a new economical method for the detection of osteoarthritis on its way in the near future.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by wear and tear on the joints. Researchers looked at the different patterns of friction that occurred between cartilage pads, and worked out the type of friction that is most likely to cause this type of damage to the joints.
Their work could improve the wellbeing of sufferers of osteoarthritis, as they get to the root cause of what may cause the painful and debilitating condition. If it comes to fruition, this research could revolutionise the way that doctors deal with patients who come to them complaining of the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Instead of blood tests or extraction of fluid, the new understanding would help doctors to simply listen to the joints, being aware of the sound that they make as they move and flex. The researchers, who use something called a Surface Forces Apparatus, say that this may well be possible in the future, as this instrument measures the friction forces between surfaces. In cases where friction is high, it indicates that cartilage has worn away and that there is no protection on the ends of the bones, causing them to grind together as they move in their sockets.
Using a highly sensitive instrument such as the one used in the study could help doctors to diagnose how smoothly the joints are sliding, and highlight any areas such as slipping or sticking, to identify the joints at greatest risk of damage, and therefore improve the long-term wellness of arthritis patients by pinpointing probable cases of osteoarthritis at an early stage.
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