OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE DR. IRA GELB, POTOMAC VALLEY ORTHOPEDICS Kiran Pant, Intern/Mentor Program Mount Hebron High School

Summary of Presentation  Research Question  Background  Current & New Treatments  Internship & Research at Internship  Data Collection & Results  Future Plans  Final Product  Conclusion  Works Cited

How are researchers improving the treatments of osteoarthritis in the knee, and are these treatments more beneficial to patients? Research Question

Background  Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of cartilage within the knee joints  Symptoms  Age  Causes  Activity level  Prior injury to the knee

Current Treatments  No actual cure for osteoarthritis  Hyalgan shot  Natural substance  Acts as a lubricant  Procedure  Cortisone shot  Corticosteriod  Reduces inflammation  Total knee replacement

Research: New Treatments  Stem cells  Embryonic vs. adult stem cells  Controversy surrounding embryonic stem cells  Ability to transform into cartilage cells  Gene therapy  Manipulation of existing genes  Insertion of new genes  Potential to regrow/prevent further damage to cartilage

Internship  Shadow Dr. Gelb as he tends to patients  Observe various injuries, witness injections  Sit-in on surgeries  Assist Dr. Gelb as needed

Research at Internship  Osteoarthritis: most common diagnosis  Observational study:  15 people (over the age of 60) complaining of knee pain  12 were diagnosed with osteoarthritis  Other 3 had injuries to knee

Data Collection  Surveyed 50 people over the age of 60  21 male, 29 female  Questioned their medical history of osteoarthritis in the knee  If they have knee pain  If they have been diagnosed with arthritis  Treatments given  Prior injury to the knee

Results

Final Product  My final product will be a pamphlet showcasing my research throughout the year  These will be put on display in the waiting room of Potomac Valley Orthopedics for patients to view  Will help to informs patients their available options for osteoarthritis as well as current research

Future Research Plan  I will continue to attend my internship to gain more knowledge on osteoarthritis  I will attend college and hopefully continue my education in the medical field

Osteoarthritis is very large problem that affects millions every year. The current treatments available are only temporary and will not help patients in the long run. Stem cell and gene therapy research are crucial for the scientific community to finally figure out how to prevent and reverse this disease. A cure needs to be found. Conclusion

Works Cited Aldridge, Susan. "Stem Cells, Embryonic." Biotechnology: In Context. Ed. Brenda Wilmoth Lerner and K. Lee Lerner. Detroit: Gale, In Context Series. Science in Context. Web. 30 Jan "Cortisone Shots." Mayo Clinic. 13 Aug Web. 9 Jan Gelb, Ira. Personal interview. 16 Oct "Hyalgan: About Hyalgan." HYALGAN. Fidia Farmaceutici, Nov Web. 9 Feb Lerner, Evan. "Grow Fresh Cartilage from Adult Stem Cells." Futurity. Web. 10 Sept “Osteoarthritis of the Knee.” YouTube. 11 Feb Web. 28 Oct Raffensperger, Lisa. "Gene Therapy Could Prevent Arthritis." Discover. Discovery Magazine. 13 Mar Web. 4 Dec Rose, Devin. "Brought to Their Knees: New Routes for Relief." Chicago Tribune. 16 Jan Web. 20 Nov Vollick, Erin. "A Faster, Cheaper, Way to Predict Stem Cells' Future." Futurity. 25 Oct Web. 11 Dec "What is Gene Therapy?" Genetics Home Reference. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Web. 7 Feb