Patients could grow new joints, shows rabbit study

PEOPLE with knee or hip problems could in future “grow” their own replacement joints using their own stem cells, scientists said.

A team of experts has, for the first time, shown it is possible to grow joints inside the body which have a full range of movement and can bear weight.

The joints could potentially last longer than commonly used artificial joints, saving elderly patients from having to undergo gruelling operations to replace those that have worn away.