These scientists from the University of Eastern Finland and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have discovered why injury to the knee joint usually leads to osteoarthritis. By deciphering this process mediated by inflammation of the joint and by an increase in the flow of fluids from the cartilage, this study, presented in Scientific Reports, opens up a new way of detecting the risk of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. A track to improve rehabilitation protocols and personalize them according to each patient.
Injuries to the knee joints are usually related to the practice of certain sports such as football, rugby, hockey or athletics, however most athletes are unaware that such injuries can lead to inflammation of the joints and, ultimately, a post-traumatic osteoarthritis. In advanced post-traumatic osteoarthritis, the articular cartilage is completely degraded, causing severe joint pain, lack of mobility and these symptoms can lead to a significant deterioration in quality of life, autonomy and even isolation. social. However, these mechanisms leading to osteoarthritis and its severe consequences remain poorly understood. Additionally, a doctor examining a post-trauma patient remains today. hui unable to predict the evolution of his joints and the risk of possible development of osteoarthritis. This study finally deciphers the underlying process leading from trauma to osteoarthritis and, in doing so, paves the way for prediction and earlier management.
It is a new mechanobiological model of cartilage degeneration that the team describes to us: after a knee trauma, the articular cartilage degenerates around the damaged areas and the tissues deform with the faster flow of fluid around the cartilage and this , even under normal dynamic pressure on the joint, such as when walking. Cell death is accelerating, note these experimental observations carried out in cartilage samples. " Our results indicate that after knee injury and tissue overload, osteoarthritis is caused by a significant leak of proteoglycans at the surface of the injury " summarizes the lead author, researcher Gustavo A. Orozco from the University of Eastern Finland.
A model that can be used to predict the progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis and to evaluate the results of the clinical interventions performed:
Specifically, this model should eventually make it possible to identify knee lesions at low, moderate or high risk of osteoarthritis and allow the choice, for each subject, of an optimal and personalized rehabilitation protocol.
