Stanford scientists have found a way to regrow cartilage and stop arthritis, ScienceDaily reported.

The breakthrough could one day mean goodbye to joint replacements. Damaged cartilage might be regrown instead of replaced.

The Times of India reported the discovery this week. ThePrint called it new hope for osteoarthritis patients.

Arthritis affects millions worldwide. Current treatments manage pain but cannot rebuild worn joints.

The research is still early stage. But it opens a path toward regenerating cartilage that medicine has chased for decades.

Cartilage does not heal well on its own once damaged. Osteoarthritis has no cure in medicine today. Current options only manage pain or replace the joint. Human trials of regeneration would still be years away. The Stanford work opens a door researchers have pushed on for decades.

Peer review of the findings is underway. Other labs will try to replicate the results next. Millions of arthritis patients will watch this research closely.