Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Over 140 million people worldwide are estimated to have osteoarthritis in their hands.
Symptoms range largely between individuals but its impact on activities of daily living is universal: everyday activities such as opening water bottles, cooking, writing, getting dressed and brushing teeth can become more challenging, painful, and time-consuming.
Despite the huge number of people living with hand osteoarthritis, current treatments are limited in their effectiveness and those who have surgery on their finger joints are faced with two options: a highly-invasive implant that involves significant removal of bone and healthy tissue, or a joint fusion – where a metal plate is used to fix the bones together.
The team of scientists and engineers in the APRICOT® project are demonstrating that another surgical approach is possible; a surgical approach where the healthy tissue is left practically untouched. This causes less trauma for patients and used as an early intervention, it is also suitable for younger patients.
The APRICOT® implant sits neatly in the joint between the affected bones, recreating the function of the cartilage that has degraded, relieving pain, removing stiffness and allowing people to trust their joints again.
For those with hand osteoarthritis, the APRICOT® concept has the potential to transform their life. To find out more about how we aim to improve the lives of those with hand osteoarthritis, head over to apricot-project.eu.
Over 140 million people worldwide are estimated to have osteoarthritis in their hands.
Symptoms range largely between individuals but its impact on activities of daily living is universal: everyday activities such as opening water bottles, cooking, writing, getting dressed and brushing teeth can become more challenging, painful, and time-consuming.
Despite the huge number of people living with hand osteoarthritis, current treatments are limited in their effectiveness and those who have surgery on their finger joints are faced with two options: a highly-invasive implant that involves significant removal of bone and healthy tissue, or a joint fusion – where a metal plate is used to fix the bones together.
The team of scientists and engineers in the APRICOT® project are demonstrating that another surgical approach is possible; a surgical approach where the healthy tissue is left practically untouched. This causes less trauma for patients and used as an early intervention, it is also suitable for younger patients.
The APRICOT® implant sits neatly in the joint between the affected bones, recreating the function of the cartilage that has degraded, relieving pain, removing stiffness and allowing people to trust their joints again.
For those with hand osteoarthritis, the APRICOT® concept has the potential to transform their life. To find out more about how we aim to improve the lives of those with hand osteoarthritis, head over to apricot-project.eu.
