Drug Shows Promise for Regenerating Damaged Knee Cartilage

…and that’s great news.

Bad news, the study was in mice.

But, the idea worked and nearly all joint related studies start out in mice or rabbits because, well, their knee cartilage is so close to human beings.

So it hold promise for us homeosapiens.

The drug is one commonly used for a different problem – osteoporosis – or softening of the bone and it’s called Forteo.

What you might not know is that the precursor of bone is cartilage. The cells that make up bone are the same as those that make up cartilage.

So, researchers, in this mouse model of osteoarthritis, gave the drug for a month and discovered that the knee-joint cartilage was 32% thicker than in control animals (thicker means better). And they noticed an increase in the cells that produce the basic infrastructure of cartilage as well suppressing the cells that cause an excessive breakdown of cartilage.

This all sounds great if you’re a mouse but since you’re not, what should you do for knee cartilage in the meantime?

Use joint-friendly exercise (I talk about and give numerous examples in The 90 Day Knee Arthritis Remedy) – exercises that produce low intra-joint forces and promote joint healing and strengthening.
Take Chondroitin Sulfate – a disease-modifying agent for osteoarthritis.
Stay well hydrated – cartilage uses water to develop a “cushion” effect in your joint(s).
Avoid prolonged use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (Aleve, Motrin, Advil, etc) – these drugs may reduce symptoms but may also worsen your condition.
Move frequently but within your body’s tolerance and capability. This might mean, for example, that you can get up and walk for 5 minutes without any problems but 10 minutes causes knee pain. Stick with 5 minutes done several times a day.

For a more comprehensive look at knee arthritis, consider my book, “The 90 Day Knee Arthritis Remedy“. Tons of information on what you can do to help reduce knee pain and improve mobility.

Julia-david says

I/ve been taking Forteo for almost two years now. It seems that I have torn the cartilage in my knee. I am 70 years old and have not been doing anything to damage the knee, in fact I can’t even remember twisting it or banging it. Is it possible that the cartilage has got so big – 32% increase in 1 month! – that it has outgrown it’s place?

DD Kelsey says

It’s unlikely that the cartilage in your knee could have expanded to outside its normal confines (and you have articular cartilage that lines the end of the bones and meniscus that sits in between the bones). In your knee you have articular cartilage that lines the end of the bones and meniscus that sits in between the bones. Most often it’s the meniscus that tears. Platelet Rich Plasma injections seem to work well for that type of tear.

Jimtigerpt says

That’s a huge percentage in 1 month! Why the pain drug companies would have a cow! How dare they! I saw an interview with one of the winning major league pitchers last night and they asked him about how his shoulder felt (he had a history of shoulder problems); he said as I paraphrase…….well It is a little tender and sore right now…but I will go get a cortisone tomorrow and will be good to go…..Remember Roger Clemons and the Vioxx comment years ago? Scary stuff…….

It would be funny to hear him say…”once I get my MO– USE pill, I will be good to go”…..ha ha! Wonder if it would help other healing tissues? hmmmmmm……

I wonder what his off season training program consists of? Maybe a few therabands and a few Miller Lights? That is what I think…..

Omar says

+32% in one month? I want some of that!!!!

DD Kelsey says

Right. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?
In the meantime, keep training 🙂

Drug Shows Promise for Regenerating Damaged Knee Cartilage

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