Can Curry Cure Knee Arthritis?

It sounds like a plot for a silly Bollywood movie, but published data actually supports the idea that one of the key components of curry powder can help alleviate pain for patients with knee arthritis.

Curcumin, a bright yellow spice found in curry powder, recently was found to have the same efficacy as ibuprofen (the active ingredient in Motrin and Advil) for patients with knee arthritis.  In a recently published study of 367 knee arthritis patients, researchers found 1500 mg of Curcuma domestica extract had the same effectiveness in terms of pain reduction as 1200 mg of ibuprofen at four weeks (Kuptnirataikul et al). Importantly, the curcumin treated patients had less episodes of abdominal pain or discomfort compared to the ibuprofen patients.  Importantly, another published study of of the same dosage of curcumin (1500 mg) was found to have significant improvements in terms of pain and physical function when compared to placebo at six weeks (Panahi et al).   Curcumin has been noted to block several substances involved in the inflammatory pathway and also inhibits activation of free radicals.  This could help explain why the spice works to reduce pain in arthritis patients.  

So next time your knee starts to hurt, put down the ibuprofen and hobble over to your favorite Indian or Thai restaurant for a tasty curry meal.  It may just help your knees feel better.

On a more serious note, the published data supports trying a curcumin supplement 1500 mg per day divided in three doses for 4-6 weeks for patients with knee arthritis.  (See chart below)

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Pain Reduction in Patients with Knee ArthritisKuptnirataikul et al

Can Stem Cells Cure Knee Arthritis?

Can Stem Cells Cure Knee Arthritis?

Unfortunately, the answer to that question is not known today.  It is clear, however, that many novel regenerative therapies are emerging to help the tens of millions of patients worldwide that are suffering from knee arthritis.

First, we must explore what type of stem cells could be helpful in the treatment of arthritis.  Stem cells of various types can be obtained from your blood (peripheral derived stem cells), bone marrow (mesenchymal stem cells), fat (adipose derived stem cells), and even from umbilical cord blood.  Studies today are exploring various ways to extract, purify and concentrate many types of stem cells.  The cells can then be injected as a suspension into your knee, used as part of surgical procedure or even injected after an operation.

Microfracture of Damaged Knee Cartilage

One recent study (Vangsness et al 2014) showed how an injection of mesenchymal stem cells could lead to more meniscus tissue after a knee arthroscopy.  24% of the treated group were found to have at least 15% increased meniscal volume.  This is a small amount in only a a quarter of the patients but it does represent a start.  Another study published last year (Saw et al 2013), injected peripheral derived stem cells after a microfracture procedure and noted improvement in the cartilage quality.  Other approaches (Pak et al 2014) use adipose derived stem cells from liposuction in combination with platelet-rich plasma to treat meniscus tears.  Finally, a review (Anderson et al 2013) of potential stem cell therapies for knee cartilage outlines many potential and emerging options.

Also, a variety of procedures also use non-stem cells to treat arthritis of the knee.  One of the oldest is called autologous chondrocyte implantation.  This is where a biopsy of your own cartilage is taken and then grown in a lab.  The expanded cells and then reimplanted into an arthritic lesion of the knee.  Another procedure simply penetrates the bone under the defective cartilage.  This leads to leakage of some of the bone marrow along with your own the stem cells within the marrow into the defect.  This is called microfracture.  Yet another procedure uses juvenile cartilage that is minced and then glued into a arthritic zone of the knee.

It is clear that there are many competing approaches to the use of cells and stem cells to treat knee arthritis.  None have "cured" the problem.   There is, however, an earnest worldwide research effort that will produce clinically meaningful options for clinicians and patients.

Millions worldwide are waiting for that day.

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TotalTendon

References
Anderson et al 2013
Saw et al 2013
Vangsness et al 2014
Pak et al 2014

Platelet Rich Plasma, Stem Cells and Biologic Orthopedics on Dr. Radio

On Monday May 12th, I will be on Sirius-XM Doctor Radio (Channel 81, 7 pm EST, 4 pm PST) discussing platelet-rich plasma, stem cells and other biologic orthopedic treatments.  It is an exciting time for this topic because research in these areas has progressed significantly just in the last few months.  Also, patients and payers are demanding less invasive and more effective treatments for difficult problems such as knee osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease.  So, tune in at 7 pm EST, 4 pm PST on Monday May 12th to learn more about the frontiers of musculoskeletal medicine and surgery.  

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Platelet Rich Plasma Helpful for Patellar Tendonitis in Athletes

A new study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine that ultrasonic guided platelet rich plasma  (PRP) injections improved pain and function in athletes with chronic patellar tendinopathy.  (See abstract below)

Patellar tendinopathy typically affects running and jumping athletes such as tennis, volleyball and basketball players.  It manifests itself with pain in the front of the knee and typically is worse with repeated jumping activities.  Most often, it will resolve with appropriate non-invasive treatment such as rest, icing and physical therapy.  It can be difficult to treat.  When the symptoms persists, published data supports the use of PRP injections.

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1. Christophe Charousset, MD*,†, 
2. Amine Zaoui, MD‡, 
3. Laurence Bellaiche, MD§ and 
4. Benjamin Bouyer, MD∥

+Author Affiliations

1. ^†Institut Osteo Articulaire Paris Courcelles, Paris, France
2. ^‡Laboratory of Bioengineering and Biomechanics for Bone Articulation, University of Paris, Paris, France
3. ^§Centre D’image Médicale Bachaumont, Paris, France
4. ^∥Biostatistics and Epidemiology Department, Hotel Dieu Hospital 1, Paris, France
5. Investigation performed at the Institut Ostéo Articulaire Paris Courcelles, Paris, France

1. ↵* Christophe Charousset, MD, Institut Osteo Articulaire Paris Courcelles–60 Rue de Courcelles, 75008 Paris, France (e-mail: dr.charousset@ioapc.fr).

Abstract

Background: Chronic patellar tendinopathy (PT) is one of the most common overuse knee disorders. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) appears to be a reliable nonoperative therapy for chronic PT.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes of 3 consecutive ultrasound (US)–guided PRP injections for the treatment of chronic PT in athletes.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: A total of 28 athletes (17 professional, 11 semiprofessional) with chronic PT refractory to nonoperative management were prospectively included for US-guided pure PRP injections into the site of the tendinopathy. The same treating physician at a single institution performed 3 consecutive injections 1 week apart, with the same PRP preparation used. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, including the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Patella (VISA-P) score, visual analog scales (VAS) for pain, and Lysholm knee scale before surgery and after return to practice sports. Tendon healing was assessed with MRI at 1 and 3 months after the procedure.Results: The VISA-P, VAS, and Lysholm scores all significantly improved at the 2-year follow-up. The average preprocedure VISA-P, VAS, and Lysholm scores improved from 39 to 94 (P < .001), 7 to 0.8 (P < .0001), and 60 to 96 (P < .001), respectively, at the 2-year follow-up. Twenty-one of the 28 athletes returned to their presymptom sporting level at 3 months (range, 2-6 months) after the procedure. Follow-up MRI assessment showed improved structural integrity of the tendon at 3 months after the procedure and complete return to normal structural integrity of the tendon in 16 patients (57%). Seven patients did not recover their presymptom sporting level (among them, 6 were considered treatment failures): 3 patients returned to sport at a lesser level, 1 patient changed his sport activity (for other reasons), and 3 needed surgical intervention.

Conclusion: In this study, application of 3 consecutive US-guided PRP injections significantly improved symptoms and function in athletes with chronic PT and allowed fast recovery to their presymptom sporting level. The PRP treatment permitted a return to a normal architecture of the tendon as assessed by MRI.

http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/42/4/906.abstract

Best Overall Exercise: PowerKnee Bike Program (Knee OA Part 4)

The PowerKnee Bike Program uses an upright exercise bike to work out all of your leg muscles.  It is the best overall exercise for knee pain and arthritis because it can do so much for you without significant impact on the joint.   By simply riding the exercise bike for 30 minutes 3 times per week you can also improve your cardiovascular fitness and burn a bunch of calories.  See the video below for details.

Record the calories you can burn in 30 minutes and compare your results week by week for a month.  If you are consistent in applying the PowerKnee Bike Program you have an excellent chance of decreasing your pain and improving your knee function.

As always, check with your doc before beginning any exercise program.

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