- New cure for sore toes made from same material as play putty
- It can resist compression and mimic natural bone cartilage
- Keeps joint working with minimum removal of bone and tissue
View
comments
Thumbs up: The ‘silly putty’ is surgically implanted to replace thumb joints damaged by osteoarthritis
For those who curse their children’s play putty being trodden into the carpet, here’s a reason to think of it with some affection.
An extraordinary cure for sore toes and thumbs has been made from virtually the same material.
The cylindrical-shaped Cartiva device is surgically implanted to replace toes and thumb joints damaged by osteoarthritis.
At just 1cm wide, it is a soft plastic material made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), saline and water (PVA is also used in play putty).
It can resist compression and mimic natural cartilage. Once in place, it acts like a roller, with the end of the two bones gliding around it.
‘This implant keeps the joint working with minimum removal of bone and other tissue,’ says Dominic Nielsen, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at St George’s Hospital, London, who is leading one of the UK trials of the device.
‘The procedure takes 30 to 45 minutes, usually under general anaesthetic.
The joint is exposed by making a small, 4cm to 5cm incision. The damaged cartilage is removed and replaced with the implant.
‘Once in place, it provides a smooth, load-bearing joint surface.
‘It is held in place by the shape of the joint and sits there, enclosed in the joint space and preventing the bones rubbing.
‘We have performed the procedure on a dozen patients, and the results are good.’
And new trial results show the implant for thumb arthritis can be highly effective, too. Grip and pinch strength were significantly improved.
‘We are pleased with the early results,’ says Dr Gustavo Ruggiero, of the Beneficencia Portuguesa de Sao Paulo Hospital in Brazil.
The device is made from virtually the same material as children’s play putty
More than a million people a year consult their GP in the UK about osteoarthritis.
Arthritis of the big toe is usually down to wear and tear at the base. One study reported that up to ten per cent of people under 34 are affected, rising to 44 per of over-80s.
Osteoarthritis of the thumb affects up to 12 per cent of adults and as many as a third of post-menopausal women.Â
In the early stages, toe and thumb arthritis can be treated with non-invasive procedures. For toes, insoles can cushion tender areas. Anti-inflammatories, steroid jabs and physiotherapy are also available.
or comment on this article
-
Surveillance: Michael Brown suspected in ‘strong-arm’…
-
Crocodile chases swimmer in Mexico
-
Bill Gates owns the Ice Bucket challenge
-
Mack and Schaefer party at luxury hotel on mother’s stolen…
-
WARNING GRAPHIC: Man beats autistic teen at party
-
Jeep sinks in a giant PUDDLE in Sochi, Russia
-
EXCLUSIVE: Unseen footage of Robin Williams performing in…
-
Swedish policeman’s impressive dance moves at gay pride
-
Bali police: Schaefer’s fingerprints on murder weapon and…
-
Spacey and Hillary team up for House of Cards spoof
-
Family slam police ‘character assassination’ of Mike Brown
-
Looting and protests for an 6th night over shot black teen
-
Thanks Michelle! Disgusted teens across the country pose…
-
Father-of-three and his girlfriend ‘intended to physically…
-
Caught on camera: Police shooting of teenager which has…
-
Pictured: The moment US marshals capture fugitive MMA…
-
A city ripped apart: Heavily-armed SWAT teams fire tear gas…
-
EXCLUSIVE: Spread out in the sunshine outside police…
-
‘The police are inciting violence all over again’: Michael…
-
Darren Wilson, the white cop who shot dead unarmed black…
-
How Bogie seduced me, by LAUREN BACALL: In her typically…
-
Frail final photographs of Robin Williams in local art…
-
EXCLUSIVE: ‘No glamor, no glitz, but great joy.’ Minister…
-
‘Have some dignity and jump’: Gene Simmons advises people…
Comments (0)
what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.
Find out now