TEN patients at British hospital set to have pioneering treatment to help regrow damaged knees
Knee cartilage will be grown from the patients' own stem cells on a framework known as a "bio-scaffold" implanted into the damaged knee.
Scientists hope that the procedure will result in the knee eventually rebuilding itself, leaving the patient more mobile and less at risk of developing painful osteoarthritis.
It has been developed by Azellon, a spin-off company set up by researchers at the University of Bristol.
Anthony Hollander, who is heading the trials, said the development was the culmination of years of research.
"This is about turning science and ideas into reality," he said.
"I have been pushing stem cells for some time and have been telling the public that they will change the way we do medicine, and I believe that, but we really need to show that. We can now begin to find out if it is safe and helps these patients."
Read more: http://www.oristem.com/uk/en/index.php?option=com_story&view=storyview&Itemid=133&article_id=279#.UDvapaOQltt
Scientists hope that the procedure will result in the knee eventually rebuilding itself, leaving the patient more mobile and less at risk of developing painful osteoarthritis.
It has been developed by Azellon, a spin-off company set up by researchers at the University of Bristol.
Anthony Hollander, who is heading the trials, said the development was the culmination of years of research.
"This is about turning science and ideas into reality," he said.
"I have been pushing stem cells for some time and have been telling the public that they will change the way we do medicine, and I believe that, but we really need to show that. We can now begin to find out if it is safe and helps these patients."
Read more: http://www.oristem.com/uk/en/index.php?option=com_story&view=storyview&Itemid=133&article_id=279#.UDvapaOQltt