Yearly treatment could slow osteoarthritis
Victorian researchers are looking at whether medications used to treat osteoporosis, a progressive bone disease, might be able to treat osteoarthritis.
Reserachers are looking for those in Melbourne aged over 50 years who suffer from knee pain on most days to take part in a new trial.
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain in people over 50 years. It is the third leading cause of disability after depression and dementia, and affects about 1.95 million Australians.
Monash University Professor Flavia Cicuttini claims no treatment was proven to stop progressive joint damage, and while several drugs had been suggested to slow the disease, there was little conclusive evidence to support their use.
“Many people find their only option to relieve pain and improve their quality of life is to have joint replacement surgery,” Professor Cicuttini says.
The researchers are looking at whether a once a year treatment of bisphosphonates might stop osteoarthritis getting worse.
“It is particularly exciting that a single treatment once a year may be helpful,” Professor Cicuttini says.
“If this medication is effective, it will be a completely new treatment for slowing knee osteoarthritis from getting worse. Our ultimate goal is to relieve pain and improve the quality of life for people with knee pain and osteoarthritis.”
The team are conducting studies into treatments for osteoarthritis and their other study is looking at whether drugs used to lower cholesterol might slow the disease.
Findings for the studies will be available in the next three to four years.
The team are looking for those in Melbourne aged over 50 years who suffer from knee pain on most days to take part in the trial, and who are able to have a magnetic resonance imaging scan of their knee.
To participate please contact: jointstudy@monash.edu.au
