Parathyroid hormone to prevent post-injury osteoarthritis

Modulating PTOA development with parathyroid hormone

NIH-funded research Cornell University · NIH-11162266

This project is seeing if short courses of intermittent parathyroid hormone can protect joints and slow post-injury osteoarthritis after traumatic knee injuries.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCornell University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ithaca, United States)
Project IDNIH-11162266 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The team is testing whether intermittent parathyroid hormone (iPTH) given soon after a joint injury can prevent the bone and cartilage changes that lead to post-traumatic osteoarthritis. They use a well-established mouse model that recreates traumatic knee loading and follow how cartilage shape, subchondral bone, and osteophytes change with treatment. The study measures bone remodeling, cartilage damage, and joint structural changes after injury and after blocking bone remodeling. Results in animals will guide whether this approach should move toward human trials for people with meniscus, ligament, or cartilage injuries.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People recently experiencing a traumatic knee injury (for example meniscus or ligament tears or cartilage damage) who are at risk for developing post-traumatic osteoarthritis would be the ideal candidates for a future related human trial.

Not a fit: People without a recent joint injury or those who already have advanced, established osteoarthritis are unlikely to benefit from this preventive approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to a treatment that prevents or delays post-traumatic osteoarthritis after joint injuries.

How similar studies have performed: Related animal studies, including the team's preliminary data, have shown protective effects of intermittent PTH on joint bone and cartilage, but clinical evidence in people is limited.

Where this research is happening

Ithaca, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.