“My symptoms are nowhere near what I was experiencing before.”
A torn ligament injury at the age of 18 led to years of knee pain for Roland Nissan. When it reached the point of thinking he needed a knee replacement, he was surprised to hear about Arthrosamid injection for knee osteoarthritis.
As the years passed, Roland’s condition gradually deteriorated until his knee became bone-on-bone. The pain and limitations increased, and he began to feel that knee replacement surgery was becoming inevitable.
"At some points it was really bad," Roland, 62, recalls. "Over the years, I had several consultations and underwent several arthroscopies to help manage the damage, but the issue was that no one could ever tell me, 'Yes, you should have a knee replacement.'
"I researched a lot. I thought I was ready for a knee replacement the other year. It had got bad enough for me to think it was time.
"I'm quite an active outdoors person. I need my knee to work."
Roland visited his GP, who referred him to The Horder Centre. As an NHS patient, he had a consultation with Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Tofunmi Oni, to discuss his symptoms and treatment options.
"We came to the conclusion I probably wasn't ready for a knee replacement," Roland explains. "It was not bad enough, and with my age, I should consider delaying it further. Instead, Mr Oni suggested Arthrosamid® as a potential option.
Knee Osteoarthritis and the Benefits of Arthrosamid® Injections Online Talk
Join Mr Tofunmi Oni, a Consultant Hip & Knee Surgeon, who explains what knee osteoarthritis is, details the treatment options, and highlights when to consider Arthrosamid®.
Mr Oni is joined by Contura Orthopaedics Partnership Manager, Jonathan Thomson, to share further insights on the treatment. Together, they also address questions submitted by attendees during the Q&A segment.
"I went away and did some research of my own, as he explained the procedure is carried out as a private patient. (Arthrosamid is currently not available on the NHS)
"I agreed to the injection and understood everything Mr Oni told me. He was clear in his explanation and said it might not work. I respected that. It was still relatively early days for the injection, and I accepted the risk that it might not work."
Roland returned to The Horder Centre as an outpatient for his Arthrosamid injection in April 2025 and was advised that it could take around three months before any benefits became noticeable.
However, by the three-month mark, he felt he had not experienced any significant improvement.
"After three months, there was no progress," he says. "I saw Mr Oni again, and I was very reassured. One piece of advice proved particularly important. He told me to strengthen my leg muscles. I was already a regular gym member, but I was avoiding exercises that impacted my knee. He suggested I work through that.
"I really went for it for three months, and I started to get better. I bought an exercise bike, which I continue to use for 20 minutes a day, and I regularly performed squats, which I also continue to do.
"It's improved massively. It does still hurt now and again, but my symptoms are nowhere near what I was experiencing before.
"When I was concerned after three months, it was very easy to contact Mr Oni. He was personable and came out to greet me in the waiting room. His medical secretary was also very accommodating and always provided prompt updates.
"I will do anything I can to delay a knee replacement. Having the Arthrosamid injection has not stopped me from doing anything. I'm now doing what I want to be doing, including riding my motorbike.”
“It has been fantastic to see Roland regain the confidence to return to the activities he enjoys, including getting back on his motorbike. His experience also highlights an important point for many patients with knee arthritis: while Arthrosamid can provide significant symptom relief, achieving the best outcomes often involves combining treatment with ongoing strength and conditioning work.”
Mr Tofunmi Oni, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
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The Horder Centre is an award-winning Centre of Excellence that offers patients a unique therapeutic environment. Specifically designed for orthopaedic surgery, our facilities include a physiotherapy inpatient gym and courtyard gardens designed by clinical experts to enhance recovery. Finance options available.
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