HEALTH + WELLNESS
Knee pain and osteoarthritis – is surgery the only answer ?
LATEST DATA SUPPORTS CUTTING-EDGE HYDROGEL INJECTION AS NEW FRONTIER IN TREATING DEBILITATING CONDITION .
KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS IS A DEBILITATING CONDITION THAT AFFECTS MORE THAN 8.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UK . SUFFERERS CAN FIND THEMSELVES IN AN ONGOING CYCLE OF ‘ SHORT-TERM ’ TREATMENT OPTIONS , WITH AN EXPECTATION THAT INVASIVE KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY IS THE ONLY LONG-TERM ANSWER . LEADING KENT-BASED ORTHOPAEDIC CONSULTANT MR JAMES YOUNG , HOWEVER , IS LEADING THE WAY IN TREATING HIS PATIENTS WITH ARTHROSAMID ® – WHICH HE HAILS AS THE MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA IN THE PAST DECADE . HERE HE EXPLAINS WHY AND ANSWERS SOME COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONDITION .
Who is most prone to knee osteoarthritis ?
Generally speaking , factors such as genetics , previous trauma , diet , and weight can all play a role . Those who lead a highly active lifestyle can also be more susceptible , particularly those who participate in high-impact ‘ dynamic ’ sports which place huge pressure on the joints , such as football , rugby , netball , running , tennis and even lower-impact sports such as golf . Over the last few years , I have also noticed an increase in the condition among much younger patients , many of whom are incredibly sporty and have been from a young age . A sporting injury to the cartilage layers , meniscus or knee ligaments as a youngster can result in knee arthritis in later years .
What are some of the warning signs ?
Common symptoms that could indicate knee osteoarthritis include pain , often at night-time , swelling and general stiffness in the knee joint , particularly in the morning . Overall , it can have a significant impact on quality of life and make simple day-to-day activities extremely challenging . Despite this , research highlights how over a quarter of people ( 27 %) would put up with knee and joint pain for more than five months before seeing their GP , with the majority ( 82 %) dismissing the condition as just ‘ part and parcel ’ of growing older , which is both worrying and unnecessary . Importantly , losing mobility and fitness greatly affects our quality of life and mental health , and risks us developing other health problems such as hypertension , heart disease and diabetes .
What are common treatment options ?
Up until now , non-operative treatment has been limited to lifestyle modifications , such as exercise programmes , physiotherapy , bracing , painkillers , and a range of knee joint injectables – steroid , hyaluronic acid and ‘ stem-cells ’. Historically , when these options fail to deliver an improved quality of life then surgery in the form of knee replacement would usually be offered . Surgery , however , should only be considered as a last resort in my opinion due to the associated risks , lengthy recovery period , the need for significant time off work and a 15 % dissatisfaction rate .
How does Arthrosamid ® work ?
Arthrosamid hydrogel is a 97.5 % water-based implant that is permanently integrated into the soft tissue lining of the knee via a single injection , blocking inflammation and adding a permanent lubrication to the joint . This results in decreased stiffness , reduced pain and improvement in the overall function of the knee , with the latest studies showing continued effectiveness three years after treatment . What ’ s more , it ’ s a safe and painless 15-minute procedure .
Why is it considered so groundbreaking ?
Arthrosamid ® is unique as it treats the underlying inflammation cycle , rather than just masking the pain . Additionally , it may also negate the need for knee replacement surgery further down the line . In my opinion , it is the most exciting and proven innovation today , offering real hope and optimism to knee osteoarthritis sufferers of all ages wanting to remain fit , active and , importantly , pain free ( Ref : OUS / ARTHRO / JUN2023 / 080 )!
Mr James Young is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and knee specialist at Invicta Clinic . He works across Kent and the South East with clinics available at Tunbridge Wells , Sevenoaks and Maidstone . To make an appointment , please contact Tess McClelland on 07757 732921 or email tess @ invictaclinic . com . To find out more about the Arthrosamid ® treatment , please visit : www . arthrosamid . com .
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