Research
Arthritis affects more than 4.5 million Canadians of every age, physical condition, and ethnic background, and is a leading cause of disability in Canada.
Osteoarthritis, the most common form, occurs when cartilage wears away. In most parts of the body, adult stem cells are believed to counteract this normal wear and tear and aid in tissue repair. But the cartilage in joints lacks the stem cells necessary to make this happen. Without any built-in mechanism of recovery when cartilage breaks down in individuals with osteoarthritis, the result is chronic pain, stiffness, and inflammation.