New lubricant for osteoarthritis

 A recently developed joint lubricant could bring longer lasting relief to people with osteoarthritis says a team of scientists from Boston University.

The new synthetic polymer supplements synovial fluid (the lubricant found in joints) and is reported to work better that treatments that are currently available.

“From our studies, we know our biopolymer is a superior lubricant in the joint, much better than the leading synovial fluid supplement, and similar to healthy synovial fluid,” says Mark Grinstaff, a biomedical engineer. “When we used this new polymer, the friction between the two cartilage surfaces was lower, resulting in less wear and surface-to-surface interaction. It’s like oil for the joints.”

The biopolymer has a large molecular weight or size so is less likely to seep out of the joint, resulting in longer lasting cartilage protection.

“You put it between your fingers, and it’s slippery,” Mr Grinstaff says. “Once we made it, we wondered if we could use it as a lubricant and where it would be useful. That’s how we thought of using it as a potential treatment for osteoarthritis.”