Promising cartilage replacement material

[cmac2012]

THIS would be good news. Forget artificial joint, I mean I might do that someday. My right knee is going, my left ankle also. Both are serviceable but I need more downtime to recuperate though.

https://news.umich.edu/kevlar-based-artificial-cartilage-mimics-the-magic-of-the-real-thing/

I'm going to wait as long as I can and see if this stuff works out. Sounds less complicated than full joint replacement. If that doesn't work out, also virtue in putting it off as much as possible as artificial joint tech is evolving. I've heard horror stories about knee and hip replacement, also heard of success stories.

The unparalleled liquid strength of cartilage, which is about 80 percent water, withstands some of the toughest forces on our bodies.

Synthetic materials couldn’t match it—until “Kevlartilage” was developed by researchers at the University of Michigan and Jiangnan University.

“We know that we consist mostly of water—all life does—and yet our bodies have a lot of structural stability,” said Nicholas Kotov, the Joseph B. and Florence V. Cejka Professor of Engineering at U-M, who led the study. “Understanding cartilage is understanding how life forms can combine properties that are sometimes unthinkable together.”

Many people with joint injuries would benefit from a good replacement for cartilage, such as the 850,000 patients in the U.S. who undergo surgeries removing or replacing cartilage in the knee.

While other varieties of synthetic cartilage are already undergoing clinical trials, these materials fall into two camps that choose between cartilage attributes, unable to achieve that unlikely combination of strength and water content.

The other synthetic materials that mimic the physical properties of cartilage don’t contain enough water to transport the nutrients that cells need to thrive, Kotov said.

[greazzer]

That would be a Godsend indeed.

https://pratt.duke.edu/about/news/duke-bioengineers-develop-new-approach-regenerate-back-discs

Liquid goo inside the spinal discs too. ... Almost three years ago I contacted the doctor on this .... See below ...

Hello Dr. Richardson,

I read the article as noted in the attached link: http://pratt.duke.edu/news/duke-bioengineers-develop-new-approach-regenerate-back-discs

Duke Bioengineers Develop New Approach to Regenerate Back ...
pratt.duke.edu

Cell therapies may stop or reverse the pain and disability of degenerative disc disease and the loss of material between vertebrae, according to Duke University ...
I was wondering if this procedure is now being performed? I am a 50 year old male with severe DDD at C4-6 and L4-L5, and I am trying to hold out as long as possible before fusion, et cet.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

and the response ...

No. Years away before human trials.

William J Richardson, MD

Professor Orthopaedic Surgery

DUMC, 3077

Durham, NC 27710

Phone 919-684-5711

Fax 919-681-7366

CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED

Unless otherwise indicated or obvious from the nature of the following communication, the information contained herein is privileged and confidential information/ work product. The communication is intended for the use of the individual or entity named above.

If the reader of this transmission is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.

If you have received this communication in error or are not sure whether it is privileged, please immediately notify us by return e-mail and destroy any copies, electronic, paper or otherwise, which you may have of this communication.

[vwnate1]

You're quite correct in waiting as long as you can, you're also correct that some go joint replacements well, others not so much, none are designed to last like the originals, not yet .

I had a neck fusion (so much damage I had no choice) and it turned out pretty well, my pain is far lower and I can actually turn my head a fair bit again, very helpful when driving .

I hope this Kevlar thing works out, so many need it .

[cmac2012]

Originally Posted by greazzer

That would be a Godsend indeed.

https://pratt.duke.edu/about/news/duke-bioengineers-develop-new-approach-regenerate-back-discs

Liquid goo inside the spinal discs too. ... Almost three years ago I contacted the doctor on this .... See below ...

Hello Dr. Richardson,

I read the article as noted in the attached link: http://pratt.duke.edu/news/duke-bioengineers-develop-new-approach-regenerate-back-discs

Duke Bioengineers Develop New Approach to Regenerate Back ...
pratt.duke.edu

Cell therapies may stop or reverse the pain and disability of degenerative disc disease and the loss of material between vertebrae, according to Duke University ...
I was wondering if this procedure is now being performed? I am a 50 year old male with severe DDD at C4-6 and L4-L5, and I am trying to hold out as long as possible before fusion, et cet.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

and the response ...

No. Years away before human trials.

William J Richardson, MD

Professor Orthopaedic Surgery

That's what I'm getting. The stem cell angle is sexy but not yet a solid option. Some people have Effed up with. A couple of people have gone legally blind from stem injections ostensibly for reversing macular degeneration. Instead their retinas detached. Some places do it but I've read $2000 per knee, neither ins. or Medicare will cover it.

I can wait a few years ... I think. My right knee and left ankle are not good. Sometimes I think I'll go functionally lame on the ankle but then I bounce back. But I've been bouncing back for about 10 years.

[cmac2012]

Originally Posted by vwnate1

You're quite correct in waiting as long as you can, you're also correct that some go joint replacements well, others not so much, none are designed to last like the originals, not yet .

I had a neck fusion (so much damage I had no choice) and it turned out pretty well, my pain is far lower and I can actually turn my head a fair bit again, very helpful when driving .

I hope this Kevlar thing works out, so many need it .

When I hear people talk about living to 120 and up I think, yeah, and what about your joints? Miles on the chassis are hard to reverse.

[vwnate1]

Yes, the joints go bad and so does the body bit by bit, sometimes the mind remains clear to the end .

I've already lived a long life and would like to remain alive and reach 100 Y.O. just to see what happens ~ those who were not alive in the 1950's, 60's and 70's have no concept of how much and how quickly things can change .

OTOH, I certainly do not want to be dolling in a wheel chair......

I took a nice little Motocycle ride just now, how much fun ! it's solidly cloudy and 98* F out, whew ~ I was supposed to climb up on my flat roof to - day and sweep up & bag leaves before the rain to - morrow, I expect I'll get to it right before sunset when the heat breaks .

The extension ladder is stuck down so that last bit between the top rung and parapet isn't easy, it scares me every time to be honest .

No one else to do it though so that's that .

? Question : am I allowed to mention things on that auction site ? .

Item # 392131028948 , a 100 + year old wind up clock .