A new minimally invasive treatment for knee pain could potentially reduce costs and waiting times for knee replacement surgery within the National Health Service (NHS), according to a recent patient account. The treatment involves the use of a gel called Arthrosamid, originally developed in Copenhagen and adapted from veterinary medicine, where it was initially used to treat lameness in horses.

The individual, who has suffered from a debilitating knee condition aggravated during the COVID-19 pandemic, underwent the Arthrosamid procedure at Spire Elstree private hospital in North London. The treatment, which took approximately 15 minutes under local anaesthetic and involved six small injections into the affected area, provided significant relief within hours. The patient reported complete pain relief and improved mobility the day after the procedure, a marked improvement following six years of managing symptoms through exercise and steroid injections.

Currently, Arthrosamid is only available through private healthcare and cost the patient £2,700. However, use of the treatment is more widespread in countries such as Canada and several European nations, with around 15,000 recipients to date. Advocates argue that wider adoption by the NHS could offer substantial financial savings. Approximately 110,000 knee replacements are performed annually on the NHS, with each operation costing between £8,500 and £17,000 depending on complexity. Given bulk purchasing, the gel’s cost could decrease to about £2,000 per patient.

Consultants believe Arthrosamid could be suitable for roughly 80% of patients currently waiting for knee replacement surgery. If implemented, this could save the NHS an estimated £70 million annually and reduce the backlog, particularly in areas like North London and Hertfordshire where waiting lists can extend to a year. The procedure is notably less demanding in terms of hospital resources; it requires an outpatient setting with no overnight stay and allows clinicians to treat many more patients per day compared to traditional surgery.

Beyond financial implications, the treatment offers patients a less painful option compared to knee replacement surgery, which often involves significant recovery time including post-operative pain management and physiotherapy. Research from Denmark indicates that patients who received a single treatment of Arthrosamid could maintain benefits for up to four years, potentially delaying or eliminating the need for more invasive surgery.

While some health officials remain cautious, ongoing debates focus on the balance between embracing novel medical procedures and ensuring their safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness before NHS approval. Meanwhile, patients with knee conditions continue to face long waits for traditional surgical interventions, highlighting a demand for alternative treatments.

The patient’s experience underscores a broader discussion about integrating innovative yet cost-saving medical technologies into public healthcare systems to improve outcomes and reduce strain on hospital services.