KNEE ARTHRITIS - Diet and nutritional supplements :
new cartilege building drug? - - Posted by Golfer (Golfer), 15 June 2003
My knee hasn't been happy for some time. After 8 surgeries, it gets my attention and I feel that I'm riding on a bald tire.
Knowing that I am looking at TKR at some point being the cartilege is gone and nutritional therapies (glycosamine and chondroitin 1500 mg/1200 mg/day) haven't helped after 6 months, I've been pretty desperate.
Aware that computerization and globalization are going to bring forward new procedures and drugs at an accelerated pace, I am looking to delay TKR as long as possible.
I had heard through the grapevine that there is a drug being developed that is supposed to rebuild cartilege and will be made available within 2 1/2 years. I am not referring to Carticel and ACI.
It sounds too good to be true, but I investigate everything. In that regard, has anyone heard anything about this drug?
Thanks,
Golfer
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 16 June 2003
hi!!!
i think there is some carticel implants and things being done now...
as for waiting for a tkr--i hope that goes well for you. i had my first one done in december and i did want to let you know it is the best intervention of the many, many i have had done. i know it is likely that i will need a revision or two along the way, but i'm so glad to be getting mobility with minimal pain back.
just a thought anyway. take care! sylvia
Posted by Golfer (Golfer), 16 June 2003
Hi Sylvia,
I'm not clear what you mean by revision. Is that to say that you had the TKR but that it didn't work out and you need the ortho to go back in an adjust something or does that mean that theys prostheses only last a certain number of years and you are expecting to have the procedure done twice more in your lifetime?
I was also wondering what your recovery was like in terms of time and difficulty.
I am 57 but love tennis and golf. Since my knee is getting worse, I have let go of tennis and am very upset about it. But if I have to have a TKR, I would like to know what limitations it would pose upon me. Someone on this site said it made him walk funny and that scared me. Obviously, there's a whole panorama of comments available, but I am trying to get a handle on what to expect if I have to have this done.
Thanks,
Golfer.
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 18 June 2003
hi golfer,
the current prosthetic for a tkr are guaranteed for 10 years--many folks get more than that out of them, but there will be a point that i will need a revision and a new implant.
there is a 6-8 wek recuperation period that my os took very seriously. i was walking in two days and had to be able to navigate stairs to leave the hospital. i had about one day of incredible psin in the deal. i did have 10 weeks of pt to get me back on my feet.
as for limitaations, my ortho talked about those a few different times--running, squattingare out--repetetive motions are not allowed either. i do not walk funny though--except ffor the awful limp from my other, soon to be repllaced knee.
i can say, unconditionally that i would do this again, knowing what i know. it has gven me back a lot of my life. sylvia
Posted by delboy (delboy), 16 July 2003
Yes loads of products on the market, glocosamine sulphate, Chondroitin sulpahte, all supposed to inhibit onset of osteoartritis, and regenerate cartilege.
D.
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 1 August 2003
Hi!
I think that the use of glucosamine and various compounds have been used for soem time now--I vaguely remember hearing something on the Today Show long before I was diagnosed with OA...
When you said "new" were you referring to somethiing new to the market or being tested that is different than before?
As for the tkr, I'm recuperating from my second one--it has been a bit more difficult than my first one. I'm still hopeful that it is the best thing available to me and when I get over the surgery part, I will indeed be top-notch again.
Take care, Sylvia
Posted by Golfer (Golfer), 1 August 2003
Hi Sylvia,
I've been using glycosamine and chondroitin, msm, SAMe and haven't really seen any improvement after 6 months.
What I was referring to was an actual new drug that I heard about on TV that was being developed and scheduled to arrive in about two years. Foolishly, I listened inattentively and the whole subject focused for me a couple of days later. By that time, I didn't remember what station I had on nor at what time. I know, I sound like a ditz and probably was that day, but now I've awakened to the impact a drug that could actually build cartilege could have. That's why I posted this message some time ago and am still looking for this information.
Because this would certainly grab everyone's attention, if and when such a drug is released, it would have large impact and will probably show up on this site in discussion. I would love to get the facts about this and pursue it.
My big concern is that after 8 knee surgeries, I am not impressed.
My first high tibial osteotomies left me paralyzed with foot palsy for 11 months and had to be done over again because the OS set the tibia at the wrong angle.
Even when one of the masters at NYC HSS operated to remove a loose body in my knee, when I came out of surgery, the loose body was still there. Upon going to his office, he informed me that the body was fixed and therefore not removed. It was at that time that I moved it more than an inch in front of him and all he could say was, "I guess we made a mistake." What I guess is that a top surgeon wouldn't make such a stupid mistake but must have handed me over to one of his underlings when I was under who didn't have a clue.
I had another surgery on Long Island about 5 years ago to remove lose cartilege that was getting stuck in my knee joint. when I came out of anesthesia, not only was my the loose cartilege still there but my patella no longer tracked properly. As a result, I'm disgusted with the lack of skill and professionalism I've seen, have learned how to snap my leg to unlock the cartilege and have been doing it for the past 5 years rather than go in for another butchering, and am looking for nutritional or pharmacological resolutions for my arthritis. I have little trust nor regard for the othopedic surgeons I've seen and unless I can find a concensus of patients who all swear by a particular OS in Long Island or NYC, I would be very reticent to have any more surgeries.
However, I was surprised to find two different people on this board both show high regard for a Dr. Answorth Allen at HSS. When two separate people share the same positive feeling about a particular surgeon, it convinces me that he may be a cut above the others. what impressed me further was that he appeared to care. So I thank those who had offered me his name and if my nutritional therapies nor quest for a cartilege-building drug don't pan out and this knee gets to critical mass, I will consider going to him.
Regards,
Golfer
Posted by meg (meg), 5 August 2003
Hi, Golfer.
I did a quick Google search under Cartilage Building Drug, and there was an article on Zometa. Could this be it? Article is from June 2001, however.
Let us know if you learn any more of interest to us all!!
regards, Meg
Posted by Golfer (Golfer), 5 August 2003
Hi Meg,
Thanks for your reply.
Zometa appears to be a drug used to address bone cancer not the regrowing of cartilege.
Thanks anyway. I'll keep on searching.
Regards,
Golfer
Posted by meg (meg), 5 August 2003
Hi, Golfer. Yes, the drug is used for bone cancer but they are finding it can help with cartilage. If you can't find the article, let me know.
regards, meg
Posted by Golfer (Golfer), 6 August 2003
Hi Meg,
Thanks for your information on Zomata. It looks like a step in the right direction as these bisphosphonates slow down the action of osteoclasts that naturally break down bone tissue and the associated minimization of cartilege deterioration certainly is a positive step.
However, this is not the drug I had heard rumor of. The information that got me excited was discussion of a drug to be available in about two years that actually builds cartilege. If drug is a fact and not some hyperbole from the internet, it will mean an actual reversal of osteoarthritis. For many of us, this would be a revolutionary and hopeful addition to medical options.
As many of these panaceas end up in the rumor bin, I won't get really excited unless I can find medical substantiation. I will continue to search for it and I appreciate you efforts.
Regards,
Golfer
Updated Sat Nov 21 2009
