Physiotherapist Paul Hobrough looks at a new treatment for joint pain in the knees of a runner

For many athletes, the joy of running can be overshadowed by the realities of joint pain, particularly for those grappling with osteoarthritis of the knee. This condition is on the rise and has led to many runners hanging up their trainers.

Traditionally, the most effective treatment has been knee replacement surgery, a procedure that comes with its own set of challenges, including lengthy rehabilitation periods of nine to 12 months with varying outcomes, rarely resulting in a return to running. 

However, there is a new alternative to surgery, or at least an opportunity to stave off knee replacement. Arthrosamid is a gel implant that can be injected into your knee, with barely any down time, and it’s keeping people on their feet.

This therapy is designed to provide long-lasting pain relief through a single-dose injection of a hydrogel-like substance and research shows that it delivers sustained results, significantly improving the quality of life for patients.

According to a recent study presented at the European Orthopaedic Research Society meeting in Aalborg, Denmark in late September, patients experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain levels and improved mobility lasting over four years from one single treatment. The best part is that so many on the study were able to return to their pre-injury activity levels.

I have tried the therapy myself. I was once on the verge of undergoing a knee replacement due to debilitating osteoarthritis. I’m a keen runner and member of the Masters Great Britain over 50s basketball team but I couldn’t run any more, I was limping as I walked and was sure my sporting days were over. 

The pain in my knee was so intense that I couldn’t train, much less compete, and I was considering a knee replacement. There has been little successful innovation in treating osteoarthritis over the past 20 years and, apart from surgery, there are few treatment options that can offer long-term benefits to patients, so I was keen to find out more when I first heard about Arthrosamid.

I decided to have the treatment and, just two days after having the injection, I was back on my feet, jogging, twisting and turning on the basketball court. Not only could I run again, but I was performing at a level I thought was lost to me forever. Many patients have reported similar experiences. 

The hydrogel is the first and only injectable treatment that is biocompatible and permanently combines with the knee’s synovial tissue, decreasing joint stiffness, diminishing pain, improving the function of the knee and enhancing quality of life.

Athletes don’t have to resign themselves to surgery. There are alternatives out there that can help you reclaim your active lifestyle. While Arthrosamid might not be a viable option for everyone, it is very much worth taking a few minutes to talk to an expert to find out if it will work for you.

For more information, visit: hobrough-healthcare.com/arthrosamid

» This article first appeared in the December issue of AW magazine. Subscribe to AW magazine here, check out our new podcast here or sign up to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here