Abstract
Articular cartilage is a connective tissue designed to bear loads and provide smooth movement during joint articulation. Repeated loading and unloading typically leads to deterioration of articular cartilage, a condition known as osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, cartilage is avascular and osteoarthritis patients with relief from the pain and discomfort associated with this disease. Current treatments have achieved a level of success, but still have some limitations. Researchers have begun to enhance current treatment options and develop new modalities in order to heal or replace tissue damaged by osteoarthritis. These options include cell therapies, the use of hormones and other chemical factors, and improved joint replacements. This patent review presents background on the cartilage, current treatments for osteoarthritis, and new approaches utilizing a variety of techniques.
Keywords: Cartilage, osteoarthritis, total knee replacement, chondrocytes, extracellular matrix, Lubricin, decorin, biglycan, glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronan, chrondroitin sulfate, fibrocartilage, autologous chondrocyte implantation, indercondylar channel, subchondral bone, menisci, growth hormone releasing hormone, glycosaminoglycans, bone-marrow stromal cells, polyurethane, polycaprolactone, poly-L-lactide acid, polydiaxone, nylon, Dacron, mesenchymal progenitor cells, kinematics
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