Arthritis is a terrible beast, affecting about one in four adults in all Western countries, so scientists are turning to science for a cure.
Knee injuries are extremely common. Treatment options are currently limited to pain relievers, physical therapy, or, in extreme scenarios, full reconstructions. A team from Duke University has just developed a hydrogel alternative that has outperformed natural cartilage in terms of durability and strength.
A synthetic cartilage
The newly developed cartilage is three times more wear resistant and can withstand greater pressure and force than human cartilage. The discovery was detailed on Advanced Functional Materials (I link the article here).
It consists of cellulose fiber flakes into which a polymer called polyvinyl alcohol has been injected. Cellulose fibers behave like natural collagen fibers, and polyvinyl alcohol helps maintain the original shape of the artificial cartilage. Together, they form a flexible, yet strong, jelly-like substance.
How resistant? Much. “Out of scale resilience,” he says Benjamin Wiley, Duke University chemistry professor who led the study.
Some data on "laboratory" cartilage (and on our future knees)
Compared to natural cartilage, the lab-made version is 66% stronger in compression, 26% in tension, 300% more resistant to friction. In a nutshell? Imagine a force capable of holding seven grand pianos together on a key ring, without letting them come off. Not bad, right?
The plants using this new hydrogel are in development in these weeks. They will first be tested in sheep and, if successful, will enter human clinical trials by April 2023.
Can you imagine knees that withstand three times as much to the stresses of walking? The future takes its first steps on a long, long journey.
