HIP HOPE FROM STEM CELL TECHNIQUE
Baku, July 29 (AZERTAC). US researchers have developed a promising new technique that might one day enable doctors to regrow broken or diseased joints in patients, BBC reports.
Writing in the The Lancet, US researchers say they have regrown the forelimb thigh joint of rabbits using their own stem cells.
Scientists say they have shown "proof of principle" for the technique which could replace hips
It was the first time an entire joint surface had been regenerated with the return of functions, they said.
The research could benefit patients with damaged hips, shoulders or knees.
The team removed the limbs from 10 rabbits and replaced them with an artificial limb-shaped skeleton.
This was soaked with chemicals which attract bone and cartilage stem cells.
Four weeks later the rabbits had regrown their joints and were able to move normally.
