Researchers Develop 'Living' Knee Replacement to Address Longevity and Pain Issues
Researchers at Columbia University and the University of Missouri are developing a new type of knee implant called NOVAKnee, which is made from biodegradable materials and stem-cell-derived bone and cartilage. This innovative approach aims to replace traditional metal and plastic knee implants, which typically last 15 to 20 years and often require revision surgeries. The NOVAKnee is designed to integrate into the patient's body, gradually being replaced by the patient's own bone and cartilage. This development is part of a federally funded project called Novel Innovations for Tissue Regeneration in Osteoarthritis (NITRO). The implant has been tested in lab mice and will soon undergo larger animal trials to simulate human knee replacement scenarios. If successful, human trials could begin as early as 2028. 
