Knee Replacement – Looking at Osteoarthritis
When it comes to knee replacement procedures, the root
cause of the problem is invariably osteoarthritis, which is a
degenerative condition that can cause substantial pain in the
joints and severely restrict the knee’s range of
mobility.
According to a report on the BBC, leading British researchers
are hoping to discover the genetic cause of osteoarthritis, which
is the primary cause of the majority of the 120,000 hip and knee
replacement operations each year. The condition of osteoarthritis
affects around 2 million elderly people in the UK and is
predominantly caused by the wearing down of cartilage in joints
which can cause considerable pain and limit an individual’s
mobility. However, large numbers across the UK are finding that a
knee replacement procedure helps them to overcome this
incapacitating condition.
Knee Replacement – Looking for a scientific breakthrough
Knee replacement procedures are becoming increasingly
technologically advanced in providing a release from pain for those
suffering from osteoarthritis and other joint related ailments.
However, according to the report on the BBC, scientists hope to
study the DNA of those suffering from osteoarthritis in order to
try and uncover its root and to develop a simple test to establish
who is likely to be afflicted by the disease. Speaking to the BBC,
Prof Tim Spector of St Thomas’s Hospital, stated, “We are dealing
with a major genetic disease - two and a half times more heritable
than breast cancer.” Looking at the size of the issue makes clear
why a study into osteoarthritis can hold important implications for
the successfulness of knee replacement surgery.
Knee Replacement – Alleviating Pain
A lack of mobility can be a very demoralising condition and this
is something that is commonly associated with sufferers of
osteoarthritis. However, experts agree that knee replacement
procedures can prove very successful in increasing the recipient’s
mobility and also relieving the severe pain that is common with the
ailment. According to the report on the BBC, approximately 50% of
knee osteoarthritis and 60% of hip osteoarthritis is genetic and,
speaking to the BBC, Prof Spector states, “Most people end up
getting osteoarthritis but only a third end up getting it severely
and these are the people that are going to need hip and knee
replacement procedures. These tests can tell us who is going to be
severely affected.”