There are currently no effective drugs to prevent stiffness caused by arthrofibrosis or joint scar tissue following joint trauma or surgery.
The Injury
Trauma, surgery (ACL, Meniscus, Total Joint Replacement), or infection triggers a healing response characterized by the movement of inflammatory cells. Calming the area and allowing the tissue to remodel, resolve, and repair properly are critical to a good healing response and recovery. Left unchecked, the repair process goes into hyperdrive leading to scar tissue.
The new formation of excessive scar tissue results in a limited range of motion, pain, and functional deficits. Also known as “stiffness”. It is one of the hallmarks of traumatic injury or surgery, and its biological signals have also been tied to the long-term degeneration of the joint.
“Dysregulation of the fibrosis pathways leads to significant pain and dysfunction. We’ve not had an easy-to-use pharmaceutical option to mitigate these complications in the musculoskeletal space. TX-33 has the potential to improve outcomes in millions of patients with chronic, acute, and surgical conditions.”
Dr. Vinod Dasa, Orthopedic Surgeon, Vice Chair Research, LSU
The Recovery
Source: Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology 33 (2019) 158-171
TX-33, is an intra-articular injection given within a “therapeutic window”, aims to possibly delay or halt the key molecular events that lead to scar tissue formation or arthrofibrosis. Addressing biological processes as an early intervention strategy can minimize or prevent scar tissue formation.
When combined with physical therapy and rehabilitation, this approach enhances your recovery by improving the range of motion and facilitating a quicker return to normal activities or play.
The Return
"Anytime there is an injury, it seems majority of athletes want to find the quickest way to recover and get healthy. I feel like with major injuries that require surgery, an investigational product like TX-33 could do just that and hopefully mitigate the recovery timeline in an effective manner."
Emily Renna, Current Member of the US Bobsled National Team and World Cup Team, 2026 Olympic Hopeful, MSc in Clinical Exercise Science, Clinical Sample Manager, Biotech Company
References
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Morris JL, McEwen P, Letson HL, Dobson GP. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery: Creating a Permissive Healing Phenotype in Military Personnel and Civilians for Faster Recovery. Mil Med. 2022;187(11-12):1310-7. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usac093. PubMed PMID: 35389483; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9617292.
Usher KM, Zhu S, Mavropalias G, Carrino JA, Zhao J, Xu J. Pathological mechanisms and therapeutic outlooks for arthrofibrosis. Bone Res. 2019;7:9. Epub 20190326. doi: 10.1038/s41413-019-0047-x. PubMed PMID: 30937213; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6433953.
Rodeo SA. Orthobiologics: Current Status in 2023 and Future Outlook. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2023;31(12):604-13. Epub 20230501. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-22-00808. PubMed PMID: 37130369.
Punzi L, Galozzi P, Luisetto R, Favero M, Ramonda R, Oliviero F, et al. Post-traumatic arthritis: overview on pathogenic mechanisms and role of inflammation. RMD Open. 2016;2(2):e000279. Epub 20160906. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2016-000279. PubMed PMID: 27651925; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5013366.
JBJS REVIEWS 2023;11(12):e23.00140 · http://dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.RVW.23.00140