Reprieve for poorly knees

CARTILAGE erosion and its role on joint disease is under study at Edinburgh University thanks to a Pounds 100,000 grant from the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council. Cartilage, an essential component of moving joints, acts as a shock absorber and bears and distributes the load associated with joint movements over the ends of bones.

Scientists, led by Andrew Hall of the university's medical school, hope to discover how chondrocytes (cartilage cells) respond to changes that occur in the early stages of joint disease. This may help in working out new ways to prevent cartilage deterioration and possibly stimulate repair.