Methods for Treating Osteoarthritis

Abstract

A method and composition for treating osteoarthritis with ion-channel regulators is disclosed. The ion-channel regulators are used alone or in combination with other osteoarthritis treatment agents, including but not limited to injectable agents such as viscosupplements and steroids. A composition comprising one or more ion-channel regulator(s) and one or more osteoarthritis treatment agent(s) is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating osteoarthritis which comprises injecting an effective amount of one or more ion-channel regulators into the closed cavity of a joint having osteoarthritis. 
     
     
         2 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein the effective amount is 0.00001-2.0 mg of ion-channel regulator(s) delivered in 1-4 mL of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition. 
     
     
         3 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein the ion-channel regulator(s) is selected from the group consisting of calcium-channel regulators, sodium-channel regulators, potassium-channel regulators, chloride-channel regulators, anion-channel regulators, cation-channel regulators, non-selective ion channel regulators, connexon-channel regulators, combinations of the foregoing and antibodies against the respective channels. 
     
     
         4 . A method as described in  claim 1  which further comprises administering an effective amount of one or more other osteoarthritis treatment agent(s) in combination with the ion-channel regulator(s). 
     
     
         5 . A method as described in  claim 4  wherein the other osteoarthritis treatment agent is administered separately from the ion-channel regulator(s). 
     
     
         6 . A method as described in  claim 4  wherein the ion-channel regulator(s) and injectable osteoarthritis treatment agent(s) are injected together as a single composition. 
     
     
         7 . A method as described in  claim 6  wherein the composition comprises 0.00001-2.0 mg of ion-channel regulator(s) and 0.01-25 mg/mL of injectable osteoarthritis treatment agent(s). 
     
     
         8 . A method as described in  claim 4  wherein the other arthritis treatment agent(s) is selected from the group consisting of viscosupplements, corticosteroids, steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, glucosamines and other glycans, chondroitin and other proteoglycans, narcotics, steroids, antibiotics, immunomodulators, and penicillamine. 
     
     
         9 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein a composition comprising 0.00001-2.0 mg/mL of a calcium ion-channel regulator and/or a sodium ion-channel regulator is injected into a knee joint. 
     
     
         10 . A method as described in  claim 9  wherein the ion-channel regulator(s) is selected from the group consisting of verapamil, nifedipine, procainamide, tetrodotoxin and combinations thereof.