|
|
Back to Archive Index |
 SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 Lubricating a Torn ACL May Prevent Osteoarthritis You've torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in your knee, which means you're likely to develop knee osteoarthritis even after your surgeon corrects the problem. But Rhode Island researchers believe one of the body's natural joint lubricants may prevent the wear and tear that can lead to osteoarthritis. The deterioration of fluids in the joint and cartilage, as well as joint instability, are the main reasons why an acute ACL injury often leads to the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis, says Gregory Jay, MD, PhD, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Engineering at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence, RI. Following a traumatic injury to the ACL, the concentration of the natural lubricant lubricin in the injured joint is significantly lower than in a healthy, uninjured joint. Lubricin, as well as hyaluronic acid, are the constituents of synovial fluid found in the joint that reduce friction during movement. Dr. Jay and colleagues found that lubricin from human synovial fluid that they created in culture and then purified and injected into the knees of animals with torn ACLs could limit cartilage deterioration. A man-made form of lubricin also showed some benefits, they reported in the August 2010 edition of the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism. They also found that placing lubricin in a damaged joint encouraged the joint to make its own lubricin. "Viscosupplementation (injecting hyaluronic acid into the knee joint) just doesn't work particularly well," says Dr. Jay. "Past studies by us and others indicate this. We now need a paradigm shift in how we are thinking about preventing and treating arthritic diseases." And a new analysis shows taking glucosamine and chrondrotin supplements may not be effective to ease the pain of knee or hip osteoarthritis. A meta-analysis of 10 trials and more than 3,800 osteoarthritis patients published in the September 16, 2010 issue of the British Medical Journal found the combination of these supplements did not reduce joint pain or have an impact on narrowing of joint space (an indicator of arthritis resolving). However, many other positive studies support taking these highly popular supplements. Dr. Jay believes that lubricin may prevent the fundamental process that can lead to osteoarthritis following an ACL injury. Lubricin does look promising, but a lot more studies, including in humans, need to be done before it can be said to prevent osteoarthritis. |
|
|
|
Disclaimer and Copyright · Site design by Marketorial.com
|