Could painful knee replacements be a thing of the past?

Scientists may have uncovered arthritis cure

• Researchers have found a molecule protects against cartilage deterioration  
• Injecting high levels of the molecule in rats prevented arthritis' development 
• Molecule replacement therapy could take the place of artificial joint procedures 
• Joint replacements have a long healing process and carry risks of complications

Scientists may be one step closer to finding a cure for arthritis, preventing the need for painful joint replacements.

Researchers have discovered a certain molecule maintains cartilage and therefore halts arthritis' onset.

In the future, molecule replacement therapy could take over from artificial joint surgery, which can take up to two years to completely heal and carries blood clot and infection risks. 

Study author Dr Bruce Cronstein, New York University, said: 'Because joints may have to be replaced again and again, if we can put off the need for joint replacement until later in life, odds are that patients will only have to have this done once.'

In the US, around 4.7 million people had their knee replaced and 2.5 million had their hip replaced in 2010. In England and Wales, around 160,000 hip and knee replacement surgeries are performed each year.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4495326/Could-knee-replacements-soon-thing-past.html