Atomic Force Microscope to Detect Osteoarthritis Early
Atomic force microscopes can detect signs of osteoarthritis much earlier than existing diagnostic methods so far, which would begin to treat patients from the preliminary stage of the disease, according to a study published by Nature Nanotechnology. “
The research, conducted by the University of Basel (Switzerland) and directed by Martin Stolz, concluded that this microscope can detect changes in stiffness of human cartilage due to its ability to visualize the samples to nanometric dimensions, one nanometer one billionth of a meter.
While traditional methods take about six months to detect the defects in cartilage, the introduction of this microscope can do in just one month, making it possible to start treatment in a preliminary stage of the disease.
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis where the cartilage degradation of joints reduces the mobility of them. It occurs mainly in the hands, knees, hips and spine.
A Healthy cartilage absorbs the impact of the movement and prevents the bones rub together and damage the joint
