At the Evseenko Lab, we are developing small molecule and stem cell-based therapies for arthritis. Our primary focus is osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease. Our goal is to develop new strategies for regeneration and repair of joint cartilage and to delay or even avoid total joint replacement surgery. Some important facts about arthritis are listed below:

• Arthritis is a complex family of musculoskeletal disorders consisting of more than 100 different diseases or conditions that can affect people of all ages, races and genders.
• Arthritis is not just a disease of old age. Two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65, including 300,000 children.
• Of the 50 million Americans with arthritis, more than 36 million are Caucasians, more than 4.6 million are African-Americans and 2.9 million are Hispanic.

Arthritis can take many forms, but three of the common diseases that make up arthritis are:

• Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is a progressive degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage associated with risk factors, such as overweight/obesity, history of joint injury and age. OA is the primary cause of disability in the United States.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a systemic disease characterized by the inflammation of the membranes lining the joint, causes pain, stiffness, warmth, swelling and sometimes severe joint damage. Read more about rheumatoid arthritis.
• Juvenile Arthritis (JA) is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in children ages 16 and younger. Read more about juvenile arthritis.