Royal College Lecture, prevention of arthritis through preservation of cartilage.

In the face of current enthusiasm for total replacement of joints, we must not forget that much degenerative arthritis is preventable. Three causes of iatrogenic damage to articular cartilage are pressure necrosis, obliterative degeneration and drug-induced degeneration. Our experiments with continuous passive motion have shown striking beneficial effects on the healing and regeneration of cartilage. We are beginning to test this clinically at knee, elbow and finger joints with encouraging results.