Understanding the role bone marrow lesions play in osteoarthritis pain

Disease - Osteoarthritis, knee pain, sports injury

Lead applicant - Professor Andrew Pitsillides

Organisation - The Royal Veterinary College

Type of grant - PhD Scholarship

Status of grant - Active

Amount of the original award - £145,977.56

Start date - 1 October 2018

Reference - 21900

Public Summary

What are the aims of this research?

Osteoarthritis can lead to the development of bone marrow lesions, which are areas of the bone that become swollen in response to damaged cartilage. The aim of this research is to better understand the development of these lesions, how their growth changes due to joint instability, and how they link to the onset of pain.

Why is this research important?

This research will lead to new insights about the changes that occur in joints both before and during osteoarthritis onset. This understanding could lead to the development of new treatments for the condition.

Recent studies have shown that the presence and size of bone marrow lesions is related to pain severity in humans. The researchers will try to understand this link further by tracking the development of these lesions in mice with osteoarthritis. The researchers will also try to find the genes linked to development of these lesions, which is vital for developing new treatments for osteoarthritis pain.

How will the findings benefit patients?

Understanding of how bone marrow lesions develop in osteoarthritis could allow researchers to test existing and new treatments to reduce pain in osteoarthritis. This new understanding could help to design physical therapy plans that limit the growth of these lesions, as well as identify new drugs that are effective at combating their onset and growth. Ultimately, this has the potential to provide significant long-term benefits for people with osteoarthritis.