Yale study shows hydrogel delivers pain relief and cartilage repair for osteoarthritis

A Yale study found a medication that relieves pain and reverses cartilage damage in osteoarthritis, especially when delivered via a specialized hydrogel. The drug lacosamide targets an overactive protein in cartilage cells, reducing pain signaling and promoting repair. A thermoresponsive hydrogel ensures slow, localized drug release within the joint. This dual-action treatment, using an existing medication and advanced biomaterials, offers a potential path beyond symptom management to disease modification for osteoarthritis patients.