Living with osteoarthritis (OA) can be a daily struggle, with the pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility associated with the disease affecting your quality of life. Treatment options generally focus on relieving these symptoms, but what if there was a treatment that could help manage symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease caused by a breakdown in the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones within the joints. As the disease progresses, changes begin to affect the whole joint, including the bone, connective tissue, and joint lining.
Historically, OA treatment plans have focused more on managing the symptoms of the disease rather than slowing its progression. Typically, treatment plans involve the use of anti-inflammatory medication along with some lifestyle changes like exercise and physical therapy. However, the focus on just symptomatic relief is changing as researchers shift their focus to creating medications that target and alter the biological process of the disease.
Although there has been great progress made in this area, these medications are still in the early phases of development.
Unlike other treatments, Piascledine has aimed to provide both symptomatic relief and slow disease progression for close to 30 years. The key to this approach is the medications dual mode of action. This unique approach aims to prevent the breakdown of cartilage and to stimulate the repair of damaged cartilage, helping to maintain the health of the joint.
In AO, pain and stiffness worsen because there is less functional cartilage present in the joint space. This is due to the increased activity of certain enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) that break down the cartilage.
Piascledine contains ingredients that block the activity of these enzymes. This helps to slow down the degradation process, and, as a result, the progression of the disease.
Cartilage is a complex tissue that lacks its own blood supply, stunting its ability to heal and regenerate naturally. Recent research on OA shows that damage, especially in advanced stages, is usually irreversible. However, there are processes that can help to stimulate the body's own repair process.
This is Piascledine’s second goal. It boosts the production of two key building blocks of cartilage: collagen and proteoglycans - large, complex molecules found in connective tissue. This clinically proven and time-tested approach encourages the regeneration of cartilage tissue, helping to restore joint function and maintain joint health.
Pain relief is a key factor in any OA treatment plan. Traditional treatment plans have made use of anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce joint pain by lowering inflammation. However, studies have revealed some health risks associated with the long-term use of these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), especially in older people.
Like NSAIDs, Piascledine has been clinically proven to significantly reduce inflammation with consistent use, and, as a result, pain in OA patients. However, unlike NSAIDs, there are no known health risks associated with the long-term use of Piascledine.
This is not to say that the use of NSAIDs is completely eradicated, but studies have shown that after one month of consistent use, patients noticed a decrease in pain. After three months of consistent use, patients reported a 54% decrease in the use of NSAIDs, demonstrating its efficacy.
This unique dual-action effective and safe symptomatic relief is a key reason why Piascledine has become the number one prescribed OA treatment by South African doctors. Piascledine’s unique approach not only alleviates symptoms, improving quality of life in the short term, but it also helps to preserve the joint, slowing the progression of the disease and helping patients to stay mobile for longer.
