Friday, 13th October 2006 (4820 views)

Gold injections and their ability to lessen the pain of arthritic joints are to be the focus of new research.

Scientists at the University of Washington already believe that offering injections of pure gold to arthritis suffers could bring a number of benefits including reduced pain and increased mobility, with over 50 per cent of rheumatoid arthritis patients reporting a marked improvement following the injection treatment.

The Daily Mail reports that Danish researchers are hoping that a forthcoming trial of gold in treating those with osteoarthritis knees will help to establish whether the precious metal does have any medical powers. It is thought that injecting gold into specific areas may help to slowdown damage to cartilage and bone.

Figures from the Arthritis Research Campaign reveal that around 80 million people suffer from the disease, which is usually treated with a mix of painkillers, steroids and joint replacement surgery. However, the use of gold as a treatment has never such undergone widespread analysis although it is already used to treat a number of rheumatic-related diseases.

Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark is to begin the trial next month and will monitor the impact of the gold treatment on 50 patients currently suffering from osteoarthritis and compare the results with patients receiving a placebo injection.

 

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