A Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study shows that patient's stem cells could be used to grow new cartilage in the shape of a hip joint, which may serve as an alternative to hip replacement surgery, according to a Medical News Today report.
Here are five points:
1. The study notes that the new cartilage can be grown to cover a 3D synthetic scaffold that can be molded into a hip joint.
2. The cartilage can be implanted onto a damaged hip joint. This can also help relieve pain due to arthritis.
3. Additionally, researchers report that they can insert a gene into a new cartilage that can trigger the release of anti-inflammatory molecules potentially preventing recurring arthritis.
4. Study co-author Farshid Guilak, PhD, a professor of orthopedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, surgeons try and avoid suggesting hip replacement surgery for patients under 50 years because hip implants typically last less than 20 years.
5. The new technique of growing cartilage from patients' stem cells and molding it into a hip joint may help alleviate the need for hip replacements, especially in younger patients.