Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It affects millions of people worldwide. This long-term chronic disease occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions, and covers the ends of the bones wears down over time.
Worldwide, an estimated 500 million people have osteoarthritis. In the US alone it is affecting the lives of more than 32 million Americans. There’s no effective cure for OA only the symptoms are managed to relieve the pain.
But now, scientists from New York University Medical Center have successfully developed an injectable gel to prevent a form of osteoarthritis called post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). PTOA is a consequence of damage to the joints. It accounts for around 10 percent of all osteoarthritis cases and disproportionally affects injured military personnel.
The gel can be delivered directly to the damaged joints to halt the onset and progression of PTOA
Once injected, the gel envelops affected joints to reduce inflammation and induce regeneration. The gel is referred to as E5C, it is based on a protein that contains native cartilage components that are nontoxic and biodegradable. The properties of E5C make it a novel therapy that is well-tolerated in the body.
