US researchers say they have developed a technique which could one day allow people with knee or hip problems to grow their own replacement joints.

Colombia University scientists say they were able to regrow the thigh joint of rabbits from the animals' own stem cells using a process called tissue engineering.

The researchers say the results pave the way for a future where people grow their own bone and cartilage.

The technique would save elderly patients from having to undergo gruelling operations to replace joints that have worn away.

Researchers have been able to transplant artificial material with broken or diseased bones and the material acts as a scaffolding for the new bone to grow on.

Researchers have been trying to do this for 10 years and it is only recently that some groups have had success in animal experiments.

This latest attempt is among the most promising yet, with rabbits regrowing bone and cartilage in four weeks and regaining normal movement in their new joints.

- BBC