Why don’t more medical breakthroughs become cures?
This sucks, because I have a bad knee that really needs some new cartilage (I get a new MRI on it tomorrow to see how bad it’s gotten lately, since I can hear it grinding as of late), and they tell me that they can grow me some new cartilage by the bucket, but they are still trying to figure out how to make it stick to bone. I’ve read about a few techniques that look promising, but those are academic studies. Now I’m worried that none will come to pass and I’ll be stuck with a shitty knee until I’m finally old enough to get a shitty knee replacement.
I have a shoulder that needs to be replaced but I have not worked up the nerve to have it replaced. I am waiting for a better method than is now available. New cartilage in the socket would be great.
Stepdaughter just had knee replacement last week. She had no choice and she’s finding it isn’t the quick and dirty, pop right back up she was hoping for – and she’s only 51.
Her shitty knee replacement came earlier than some.
Chicken cartilage injections.
I know, I know, it sounds goofy but my old man has a knee that has been shot for decades. He went to the sports medicine clinic at Michigan State University and the doctor asked if he wanted to be part of a test program to repair damaged joints. Basically it involves 6 injections over a period of months where they inject chicken cartilage into the damaged joint. Eventually it’ll build up a nice new layer that will last for several years. After awhile you’ll need to go back for new injections to replace the worn down material, but it is easier on the body and WAY easier on the wallet than a surgery.
The old man is up and moving like he hasn’t moved in probably two decades. He told me the other day that he forgot what it was like to not have knee pain. Worth looking into if anyone around you is offering it.
Thanks Myles, I’ll ask my Dr. about next time I talk to him, although if it was experimental, it may not be offered. Still, worth asking about.