Studies have found that implants made from coral could help to renew knee joints in people suffering with osteo-arthritis. Helping to stimulate the growth of new tissue in the cartilage, through stem cells, this new medical technology could offer a great deal of hope for people who deal with this debilitating disease. The body’s own immature cells can develop into any type of tissue, including that in the joints. Those dealing with osteo-arthritis could be in luck, as this study offers promising results in the development of new treatments.
Researchers chose to use coral as its structure is closely linked to that of bones in the human body, which helps to provide the ideal scaffold for new blood vessels and cartilage to connect to. It’s thought that around eight million people in the UK have some variation of osteo-arthritis, which damages and destroys the cartilage – this is the body’s natural shock absorber which helps to reduce the impact from walking and running. Scientists worked with the coral segments by coating them in human growth factors, which encourage the development of new cells in the body.
Currently, there are no options with regards to medication for this condition, so people suffering with it are crippled with pain and swelling in the joints. Other risk factors, such as family history and weight impact the severity of the arthritis as well. Coral has been used in bone grafts for many years, as new cells need something to build from inside the body – coral works as a scaffold. This study offers hope for osteo-arthritis sufferers though, as researchers believe it could be used for cartilage replacements. Results from recent studies found that after six to twelve months, the stem cells had created a new layer of cartilage and the coral implant has dissolved.
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