Hope of a new treatment for knee pain

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee have tested a new method for treating problems relating to knee joints using a novel nanomaterial, and found it effective in initial studies.

Scientists used a specific ferrite nanomaterial, embedding it with Poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to make a magnetic-dielectric composite. This material, researchers say, can be used to provide thermo-regulated treatment for osteoarthritis. It is also biocompatible.

The effectiveness of the new composite has been tested using a computer model of knee patella and preliminary biocompatibility studies have also undertaken to study its biosafety. The results of the study have been published in Journal for Materials Science - Biomaterials.

" Since polymer-based nanoparticles can be injected around knee joints, they will be able to provide long term heat therapy due to their thermal properties,pointed out and Prof. K.L. Yadav, who led the research team "

Researchers said that it may be possible to implant the nanomaterial around affected regions and then use heat therapy to ‘activate’ nanoparticles which can then keep heating the affected region. “Since polymer-based nanoparticles can be injected around knee joints, they will be able to provide long term heat therapy due to their thermal properties,” pointed out and Prof. K.L. Yadav, who led the research team.

Prof. Yadav told India Science Wire that it would be possible to implant the new material into knee joints once a liquid formulation was developed. “The heat generated by nanoparticles, when heat treatment is given, will spread over the afflicted area for a long duration without affecting nearby cells or tissues. This will help us in getting a focused treatment only in the area where the therapy is required,” he added.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which leads to loss of bone cartilage and eventual inflammation of bone and joints. The present line of treatment for of Osteoarthritis involves anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids, which critical side effects. Other techniques like knee replacement costly. We wanted to develop a low cost, affordable, safe and simple therapeutic technique to inhibit the progression of the disease and enable the patient to recover faster, he added. The team is also planning to carry forward the research with human clinical trials in collaboration with hospitals.

The team research team included S.Mohapatra, R.Mishra, P.Roy, S.Satapathi along with K.L. Yadav. (India Science Wire)

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