Worn-out knees and ankle joints could soon be treated with an injection of a patient’s own belly fat.
A trial involving 120 patients is looking at whether a single jab of cells extracted from abdominal fat can ease the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis.
While it might seem an unlikely option, body fat (known as adipose tissue) is rich in stem cells, ‘master cells’ capable of turning into different types of tissue.
The hope is that they will turn into the cells that make up cartilage and repair damaged joints.
- A trial involving 120 patients is looking at whether a single jab of cells extracted from abdominal fat can ease the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis
This approach has been subject to previous research but is controversial, with some private clinics already offering the therapy, despite little evidence it is effective.
Doctors say more clinical studies, such as this new trial, are needed to show it works before it is more widely used.
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage, the tough, elastic material that helps our joints take the strain of movement, wears away over time.
It affects more than ten million Britons and, while the exact cause isn’t known, age, injuries and obesity (which puts extra pressure on joints) increase the risk. Symptoms, such as pain and stiffness, can make it difficult to carry out everyday activities and can fuel other conditions, including depression and sleep problems.
Treatments range from painkillers to steroid injections.
But while these ease the pain and stiffness, most remedies don’t treat the underlying damage. More than 90 per cent of the 100,000 knee replacements carried out on the NHS each year are because of osteoarthritis.
Finally a good use for my belly fat !
OR if they were not so FAT their knees and ankles would be ok.
Wait a minute..i just spent the last 2 yrs to eliminate the fat from my tum. Now it can help with my arthritis???? Geez make up your damn minds!
(snicker snicker!)
Can you sell your belly fat?? I may be rich!!