Weight Loss Through Exercise Alone Does Not Protect Knees

RNSA: Researchers investigated the association between different regimens of weight loss and the progression of knee cartilage degeneration in 760 overweight and obese patients. Individuals who lost weight through diet alone or diet and exercise slowed the progression of cartilage degeneration in the knee. Individuals who lost the same amount of weight through exercise alone did not slow the progression of cartilage degeneration.Obese people who lose a substantial amount of weight can significantly slow down the degeneration of their knee cartilage, but only if they lose weight through diet and exercise or diet alone, according to a new MRI study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Online treatment could help thousands with chronic knee pain

Melbourne: Researchers at the University of Melbourne are calling on health insurers and government to support new remotely delivered treatment models – including Skype consultations – for people suffering chronic knee pain. They have developed an online treatment that has dramatically improved symptoms and functioning for people suffering knee osteoarthritis, the main cause of chronic knee pain. Research trial findings published today in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, suggest online delivery is the key to greatly improve patient access to effective non-drug treatments.

Knee surgery 'waste of time', researchers argue

NHS: "Knee surgery is 'pointless and potentially harmful' for thousands of patients,” the Daily Mirror reports.
Researchers have looked at previous studies that had compared arthroscopic (keyhole) knee surgery with exercise or sham surgery (placebo) for middle-aged people with knee pain – specifically, knee pain caused by osteoarthritis or a tear in the cartilage, but not those with a ligament condition. They found that both exercise and arthroscopy improved knee pain. Arthroscopy was slightly better, improving pain by a small amount, which was described as the equivalent to using a painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. There was no difference between the interventions for function of the knee.

Knee surgery on middle aged or older patients is only marginally beneficial

Scimex: A Danish and Swedish study has found knee surgery performed on middle aged or older patients is only marginally beneficial, and could even cause harm. The study brought together 18 trials of knee surgery, and the researchers say the potential harms identified, which include deep vein thrombosis and blocked arteries, outweigh the small benefits seen in terms of pain relief in some studies.

New technology shows potential in repairing damaged tissue in knee joints

Liverpool: A company, founded by University of Liverpool scientist, Professor Anthony Hollander, has been awarded £2 million to develop stem cell technologies that have shown potential in repairing damaged tissue in the knee. The team at Liverpool, in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant, is part of a £6.3 million funding initiative, supported by Innovate UK and Cell Therapy Catapult, to help further technological development in stem cell therapies in the UK.  Professor Hollander and colleagues launched the company, Azellon, to produce stem cell therapies for treatment of damaged fibrous tissues in the knee, called meniscal cartilage. Using Cell Bandage technology, the team has shown encouraging test results from combining bone marrow stem cells with a special membrane that helps deliver cells to the injured site.

New technology shows potential in repairing damaged tissue in knee joints

Liverpool: A company is developping stem cell technologies that have shown potential in repairing damaged tissue in the knee. Professor Hollander and colleagues launched the company, Azellon, to produce stem cell therapies for treatment of damaged fibrous tissues in the knee, called meniscal cartilage. Using Cell Bandage technology, the team has shown encouraging test results from combining bone marrow stem cells with a special membrane that helps deliver cells to the injured site.