Guwahati, March 28 (IANS) Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed three innovative treatment solutions for hard-to-treat knee meniscus tear, an injury to tissue in one’s knee joints. A knee meniscus tear is caused by trauma to the knee meniscus, impacting an individual’s ability to walk, run, or participate in daily activities. The therapies, developed in collaboration with the University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, include blends of silk fibroin and other polymers.
These components, especially silk, are known for their strength, bioactivity, and flexibility, making them suitable for treating meniscus injuries. The treatments are cost-effective compared to commercially available options and can be customized for each patient, potentially preventing future complications like osteoarthritis. Prof. Biman B. Mandal from IIT Guwahati’s Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering stated, “We have developed regenerative treatment approaches tailored for the patient, facilitating rapid healing of meniscus tears or replacing damaged tissue.”
One of the formulations is an injectable hydrogel that can be minimally invasively injected directly into the meniscus site to expedite healing of smaller injuries. Additionally, two 3D bio-printable inks have been created for implants. The different approaches have been detailed in research papers published in Applied Materials Today and Advanced Biology. Prof. Mandal emphasized the need for personalized, affordable 3D meniscal implants in the clinical setting due to the limitations of current artificial and synthetic options.
“There is an urgent need for personalised, affordable 3D meniscal implants in the clinical scenario as artificial implants fail to conform to patients alike,” Prof. Mandal added. The research papers provide insights into the innovative treatments developed by the IIT Guwahati researchers, offering hope for individuals suffering from knee meniscus tears.
