CHANGES IN CARTILAGE
In knee osteoarthritis, the quality of the cartilage in the joint gradually deteriorates. The joint becomes inflamed, and the surrounding bones can change shape. As a patient, you may experience persistent pain and loss of mobility. Currently, there is no treatment for osteoarthritis other than medication for pain relief and symptom management, although the effectiveness of medication varies per patient. We believe this variation may be caused by mechanical factors such as high pressure exerted on the cartilage during certain activities. Excessive pressure can worsen damage to the cartilage and make everyday activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, difficult to perform.
OUR APPROACH
Our project focuses on the pressure exerted on the cartilage during daily activities and its effects on possible cartilage degeneration. For this, we work together with patients in a laboratory equipped with cameras. We measure patients' movements while they perform various daily activities. Based on these measurements, we create computer models that simulate the pressure on the cartilage and the movements in the knee. We do this with patients with knee osteoarthritis, patients with meniscus problems, and patients with below-knee amputations who experience knee pain. The reason for studying these three groups is that they have a high likelihood of developing knee osteoarthritis in the future. The exact mechanism behind this is largely unknown. Therefore, we can gain valuable insights by studying how different daily activities influence cartilage degeneration.
SOLUTION
Ultimately, our approach helps determine whether knee pain is caused by damage to the cartilage or if there are other causes. In the latter case, it is unlikely that surgery with a total knee replacement will relieve the pain, and treatment with medication is likely more beneficial. This knowledge will contribute to the development of personalized treatment plans. Patients and their doctors can discuss this and choose the best treatment for them as individual patients. Ultimately, the impact of knee osteoarthritis on patients will decrease, improving their quality of life.
