Cartilage repair therapy program

The obesity rate in the United States is projected to reach 50% of the population by 2030, and approximately 26% of the adult population (roughly 78.4 million individuals) is expected to develop some form of arthritis by the year 2040, with osteoarthritis (OA) being the most prevalent type.  OA is rarely an isolated condition and often coexists with or contributes to other common comorbidities, such as a 50% increased risk of heart disease.  Overall, the economic impact of the disease is substantial, exceeding $136 billion, with a portion of the financial burden attributed to pain management.  

Despite compelling data regarding the impact of OA on both individual health and the U.S. economy, there are currently no available treatments to substantially reverse cartilage degeneration. A large number of patients seek medical help only when they experience joint pain. In such cases, healthcare professionals typically prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and depending on the severity of the pain, may also prescribe opiates and/or steroids. Healthcare providers also recommend physiotherapy to delay the need for surgical intervention. 

Unfortunately, even in instances where cartilage degeneration progression is linked to activity-related injuries or obesity, there are limited options available to slow down or reverse this progression of tissue degeneration and downstream effects beyond the interventions mentioned above.