​Reflecting a need for new treatment approaches for joint injury, the Mayo Clinic is developing a recycled cartilage auto/allo implantation (RECLAIM) procedure for knee joint restoration. This approach involves first removing damaged tissue from the injured knee. Next, physicians remove cartilage from the patient’s knee or hip. This cartilage is minced into small pieces, with cartilage cells extracted via chemical digestion.

The recycled autologous chondrons are now combined with allogeneic donor mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), at a ratio of 10-20 percent patient cells to 80-90 percent MSCs. The mixture is suspended in a fibrin glue and injected into the knee defect. With the help of the growth factors and immune modulatory signals, the body is triggered to repair the defect and fills it within a single year. At the end of this process, no donor DNA remains, with the material generated all new patient-derived cartilage tissue.

Still undergoing trials, the procedure is specific to younger patients, such as athletes who have suffered recent cartilage injuries. In the future, the procedure may be broadened to include patients with chronic osteoarthritis issues, including older people.

​Knee replacement surgery is common and generally safe, but like any surgery, it carries risks. Most patients experience no issues. Complications, if they occur, are usually minor and manageable. The patient's overall health and age influence the risk of complications.

Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can occur due to changes in blood flow and clotting after surgery. While often not serious, these clots can cause swelling and pain. Doctors may prescribe anticoagulant medication to address the issue. In rare cases, a clot can travel to the lungs, leading to a pulmonary embolism that can cause significant problems.

Wound infection is another potential complication. Though rare, the surgical site could become infected. Typically, antibiotics treat the infection. However, if it spreads to the knee joint, it may necessitate additional surgery.

During the procedure, there is a small risk of blood vessel, nerve, or ligament damage around the knee. While uncommon, these injuries may require surgery or heal over time.

​Joint replacement surgery helps patients to relieve pain, improve the quality of life, and live more active lives. The most common sites for the surgery are the knee and the hip. However, despite the best of surgery and after-care, no surgical procedure is without some risk. The common complications include infections, long-term stiffness, implant failure, and chronic pain.

One of the common complications of joint replacement is infection, affecting an average of one percent of knee and hip replacement patients. It is considered a severe complication. The infection occurs in the wound or around the artificial implant.

After surgery, swelling and stiffness for several months are considered normal. However, long-term stiffness may occur - an indication of excessive scar tissue. Common causes of the scar tissue include lack of exercise during post-surgery and lethargy. The preventive measures include physical therapy and joint manipulation.

Another common complication is the prosthesis malfunction or implant failure. This is caused by infection, instability, wear and tear, aseptic loosening, and dislocation. Typical signs of implant failure include persistent pain and stiffness in the joint area.

Finally, pain and discomfort are expected after the joint replacement surgery. However, pain persisting beyond three months is cause for concern. To address the joint pain, the doctor may recommend a treatment plan that includes physical therapy, medication, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

​Joint problems and osteoarthritis affect many people. The development of artificial cartilage promises to be a game-changer, offering hope for a better quality of life. One standout trend centers on the use of bioengineered materials.

Scientists are now carefully crafting synthetic cartilage that closely mimics the characteristics of natural cartilage. These materials are carefully designed for durability, flexibility, and resilience in order to withstand the demands of everyday movement. The goal is to replicate the essential functions of real cartilage, serving as an effective shock absorber for joints. 3D printing technology can be used to create custom-made cartilage implants for each patient's unique joint structure.

Another development in cartilage research is the use of nanomaterials. These have a remarkable ability to repair damaged cartilage. The minuscule particles can deeply penetrate the joints, kick-starting the growth of fresh cartilage cells, all while easing inflammation.

Researchers are tapping into the regenerative capabilities of stem cells to repair and rejuvenate damaged cartilage. The injection of stem cells into affected joints can stimulate the body's innate healing processes.

​An orthopedic consultant treats patients with bone, joint, and muscle problems, also known as musculoskeletal disorders. Common issues handled by an orthopedic surgeon include arthritis, bone tumors, osteoporosis, and fractures. They also handle congenital musculoskeletal problems in children. The medical specialist is often asked to give expert advice, confirm a diagnosis, and provide second opinions about musculoskeletal disorders.

The work of an orthopedic consultant includes assisting patient rehabilitation to restore movement, strength, and flexibility following surgery or injury. Also, an orthopedic consultant can perform bone resetting operations or use non-invasive methods to decrease pain or improve range of motion. In addition, they assist in devising bone and cartilage injury prevention strategies or keeping chronic conditions like arthritis from worsening.

Orthopedic surgeons work in different settings, including public hospitals and medical centers. Some spend time teaching and giving lectures to medical students or observing surgeon interns at work in hospitals or the field. Others work in rehabilitation centers or run their private practice. Some orthopedic specialists spend much time performing medical research.

​Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, Dr. John Frauens is an orthopedic surgery specialist with over three decades of experience. Since 2011, he has served as an orthopedic consultant for the Division of Corrections of the State of Hawaii Department of Public Safety. For 25 years, Dr. John Frauens practiced as an orthopedic surgeon at the Kaiser Medical Center in Honolulu, where he performed artificial hip and knee replacements.

Aging, autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis), and accidents can cause joint damage, manifesting as stiffness, loss of motion, and pain in the joint area. Less invasive treatment options for joint problems include nonsteroidal medications to reduce pain and swelling, steroid injections for joint lubrication and motion facilitation, cartilage transplants, and weight loss exercise to reduce tension on the joint. Orthopedic surgeons typically recommend total joint replacement surgery as a last resort when less invasive treatment options fail to alleviate symptoms.

Total joint replacement surgery fixes a prosthetic or artificial joint into a space previously occupied by a natural joint or bone. The surgery can reduce or eliminate joint pain and restore the affected area's mobility. An artificial joint can last more than 10 years, after which another replacement surgery is imperative. Two frequently performed joint replacement surgeries are knee replacement surgery and hip replacement surgery.

​Active with the Hawaii Department of Public Safety, Dr. John Frauens is a Honolulu physician who consults on various orthopedic issues. An avid traveler, Dr. John Frauens has visited locales ranging from Italy to the Holy Land. Situated in the north part of Israel, the Sea of Galilee is relatively unchanged from when Jesus roamed the area and brought four fishermen into the fold as his first disciples.

Set amidst hills at 210 meters below sea level, the heart-shaped lake is distinguished as one of the lowest-elevation lakes on earth. With the Jordan River as its primary water source, the Sea of Galilee has long been the primary water reservoir of Israel. Still, its utility has declined recently due to falling water tables.

Jesus’ itinerant public ministry started along the lake’s shores in the fishing town Capernaum, and he performed miracles that ranged from curing the sick to walking on water. In his teaching endeavors at synagogues, Jesus brought out large crowds. As Mathew described it, “he taught as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”

Jesus’ most significant discourse was the Sermon on the Mount, which likely took place on the miniature Mount of Beatitudes on the northwest shore of the lake, between Capernaum and Tabgha. The latter location is where Jesus is said to have furnished two fish and five loaves of bread to a 5,000-strong crowd. The Seven Springs (Heptapegon) fishing area just off Tabgha is also the site of a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus.

With his disciples having fished through the night with no catch, Jesus appeared in a vision and led them to a miraculous catch prepared by the “risen Lord.” One of the iconic local locations is the Greek Orthodox church in Capernaum, which refers to that holy event in its name, “Church of the Seven Apostles.”