What to expect:
Those who have moderate Osteoarthritis of the knee with cartilage lesions may qualify to participate in the study. You may receive either no cost investigational stem cell therapy or debridement surgery and be compensated up to $3,400 for their time and travel.
The study will consist of a screening visit, baseline visit (must be scheduled within 10 days of surgery), surgery visit (must be scheduled within 90 days of screening), and 7 follow-up visits. This study lasts up to 24 months.
Why participate in a clinical research study:
Clinical studies are what allow all investigational drugs to come to market, including drugs that treat pain, infections, and various medical conditions. Without clinical studies, no medications would be available for use and they are only possible with the help of participants like you. Compensation varies by study, time involved, and whether you complete all visits and procedures in the study. Every volunteer study at JBR Clinical Research is approved and monitored by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to make sure the risks are as low as possible and are worth any potential benefits to the volunteer.
FAQs:
What is Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the knee. It is a degenerative, “wear-and-tear” type of arthritis that occurs most often in people 50 years of age and older, but may occur in younger people, too. It is a type of arthritis that occurs when the protective flexible tissue (cartilage) at the ends of bones wears down and gradually wears away.
What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
- pain that increases when you are active, but gets a little better with rest
• swelling
• feeling of warmth in the joint
• stiffness in the knee, especially in the morning or when you have been sitting for a while
• decrease in mobility of the knee, making it difficult to get in and out of chairs or cars, use the stairs, or walk
• creaking, crackly sound that is heard when the knee moves
What causes Knee Osteoarthritis?
- Age. The ability of cartilage to heal decreases as a person gets older.
- Weight. Weight increases pressure on all the joints, especially the knees. Every pound of weight you gain adds 3 to 4 pounds of extra weight on your knees.
- Heredity. This includes genetic mutations that might make a person more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the knee. It may also be due to inherited abnormalities in the shape of the bones that surround the knee joint.
- Gender. Women ages 55 and older are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis of the knee.
• Repetitive stress injuries. These are usually a result of the type of job a person has.
People with certain occupations that include a lot of activity that can stress the joint, such as kneeling, squatting, or lifting heavy weights (55 pounds or more), are more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the knee because of the constant pressure on the joint.
- Athletics. Athletes involved in soccer, tennis, or long-distance running may be at higher risk for developing osteoarthritis of the knee. That means athletes should take precautions to avoid injury. However, it’s important to note that regular moderate exercise strengthens joints and can decrease the risk of osteoarthritis. In fact, weak muscles around the knee can lead to osteoarthritis.
- Other illnesses. People with rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common type of arthritis, are also more likely to develop osteoarthritis. People with certain metabolic disorders, such as iron overload or excess growth hormone, also run a higher risk of osteoarthritis.
What are knee cartilage lesions?
Cartilage lesions refer to damage to the articular cartilage in the knee joint, which can manifest as tears, softening (chondromalacia), or full thickness lesions. These injuries can occur due to trauma, overuse, or degenerative changes associated with aging.
