Young cartilage eases arthritis pain.

Researchers are using cartilage from healthy joints that have been discarded due to polydactyly, a condition where a person is born with extra digits, to replace worn-out cartilage in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. All ten patients treated with small sheets of cartilage made from unwanted fingers and toes as part of a pilot project at Tokai University in Tokyo, Japan, went on to show complete regeneration of their own cartilage in damaged knees over the following 12 months, avoiding the need for a replacement knee joint. This technique has the potential to allow people to walk their entire lives on their own knees, without requiring artificial joints.