Sugar solution may decrease osteoarthritis developing after surgery

Experts have come up with a new solution that could reduce the risk of osteoarthritis developing in people who undergo orthopaedic surgery, they report in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.
We know that people who have surgery for joint problems are at increased risk of osteoarthritis because the operation can damage cartilage cells (called chondrocytes).
And now researchers have found that by adding sugar to the saline solution used to wash out joints during orthopaedic surgery protects the cartilage from being damaged and may even improve cartilage repair.
Dr Andrew Hall, lead author, comments:
“Our findings could have major implications for tens of thousands of people who undergo arthroscopic surgery, such as footballers or other sportspeople who’ve damaged their cartilage, or in fact anyone who’s had exploratory surgery for a sore or painful knee.
“There is a worry that all these people are at risk of developing osteoarthritis from their surgery. But if surgeons can be persuaded to use this chondroprotective solution as standard that risk could be substantially reduced. It’s a cheap, simple solution that can protect the cartilage in the joint during arthroscopy and surgery.”

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Image credit: Umberto Salvagnin