Revolutionary Knee Treatment Using Tiny Plastic Grains Could End Arthritis Agony!

A groundbreaking new treatment that involves injecting tiny plastic grains into the knee joint could be the answer to the debilitating pain caused by arthritis, recent NHS research indicates.

The innovative procedure, known as genicular arterial embolisation, requires only a local anaesthetic and just a few hours at the hospital, leaving minimal scarring. Over 40 patients suffering from knee arthritis have already participated in a trial led by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Reading. Remarkably, around two-thirds of patients reported a significant reduction in swelling, and more than half experienced pain relief.

Osteoarthritis, a widespread condition affecting an estimated 10 million people in the UK, occurs when the synovium—the lining of the knee—becomes inflamed and painful. This inflammation hinders normal knee function and can wear down the joint's protective cartilage.

The embolisation procedure specifically targets "faulty" blood vessels that form in the synovium, which release harmful chemicals that perpetuate the cycle of pain and inflammation. Tim Cooper, 67, is one of the trial participants who has seen his life transformed. After struggling with relentless knee pain that prevented him from climbing stairs or enjoying outdoor activities, he underwent the procedure in 2021 and is now free of symptoms. Cooper has returned to his passions, including gardening and even beekeeping, walking rescue dogs for up to five miles daily.

Describing the impact on his life, Cooper stated, "It has made such a big difference. I was in constant pain, and now it feels just like my other knee. This procedure has truly given me my life back."

Professor Mark Little, a radiologist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital who initiated the trial, discovered that embolisation—previously used to treat conditions like enlarged prostates and liver tumors—could effectively alleviate knee pain too. During the procedure, a local anaesthetic is given, and a needle accesses an artery in the groin. A catheter is guided down the main blood vessel leading to the knee, where tiny grains of plastic, the size of sand particles, are injected to block the faulty blood vessels, ultimately reducing inflammation and pain.

As Professor Little explained, "If we can stop these chemical messengers at their source, we might halt the inflammation and even pause the disease progression. This could drastically lower pain levels and potentially prevent many patients from needing knee replacements."

The procedure is specifically designed for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis who haven’t found relief from conventional treatments like painkillers and physiotherapy, yet are not candidates for knee replacement surgery. Many individuals facing chronic pain in their fifties and sixties have found hope in this new approach, which has the potential to drastically improve their daily lives.

While nine out of the original 40 patients went on to require knee replacements, and six others were deemed unsuitable for the procedure, the treatment has shown minimal complications. One patient experienced a blood clot due to inactivity while recovering, but overall, the procedure has been well-received.

Despite the promising results, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) initially rejected the procedure in 2021, citing insufficient evidence regarding long-term outcomes. However, the team in Reading is now conducting a larger study involving 110 patients, with half undergoing a sham procedure. They hope this, alongside concurrent trials in Japan and the US, will provide compelling evidence to persuade NICE to authorize this innovative treatment for arthritis.

The future looks bright for patients battling knee arthritis—the end of chronic pain may finally be within reach!