Updated Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:19 am TWN, AFP

New technique helps warn of painful joint disease

PARIS -- Swiss doctors said on Sunday they had devised a smart microscopic technique that can fast-track diagnosis of people with osteoarthritis. Their experimental “atomic force microscope” is designed to be minimally invasive and could give patients early warning of problems ahead, according to their study, published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Osteoarthritis is caused by an erosion of the cartilage, the “cushion” between the joints, and by a decrease in the fluid that lubricates the joint. The technique, devised by a team led by Martin Stolz of the University of Basel, entails tapping the surface of a joint with a tiny tip that responds to stiffness.

There are no treatments at present to stop or slow cartilage loss. But the “atomic force” technique could give up to six months' warning to someone prone to the disease, enabling the patient to take up measures such as weight loss or exercise to help conserve the tissue.

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June 13, 2009 dhangmd@

There is a way to stop or halt progression of Osteoarthritis!!

The most recent and innovative treatment (for halting or stopping) for osteoarthritis is Orthokin (from Orthogen, Germany). This treatment uses your body's own protective protein, Interleukin-1 Receptor blockers (IL-1 Ra), to block the destructive effect of interleukin-1 on cartilage. Recent report in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (the Bible of Orthopedic Surgery) have shown that 100 patients receiving Orthokin injection treatment for their knee had 50% reduction of pain in 60% of patients, whereas in 100 patients receiving intra-articular injection of either saline (salt water) or hyauronic acid, only 30% responded (saline is same as hyaruronic injection. This treatment is available in Taiwan now.

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