nSTRIDE Autologous Protein Solution

If you have an appointment for a private Ultrasound Guided Injection at our centres in Surrey, Harley Street or Manchester, you can view and download a copy of our patient leaflet here.

Both knees can be injected at the same sitting. We would be required to take a little more blood and a second sterile kit would be used to obtain the APS (Autologous Protein Solution).

Yes, unlike a steroid injection where there may be a limit to the number of injections you can receive, nSTRIDE can be repeated in the future if necessary.

nSTRIDE and PRP injections are similar in that both are autologous treatments that utilise blood proteins to promote tissue healing. The key difference between the two is that nSTRIDE contains white blood cells (leukocytes) and anti-inflammatory proteins (cytokines), which are not present in PRP injections. Also, unlike PRP, which requires several injections to attain desirable results, nSTRIDE is a one-time injection providing results that typically last between 1 to 2 years.Compared to keyhole surgery, nSTRIDE is a non-invasive procedure with minimal to no downtime, and it can be performed within an hour. For patients with moderate osteoarthritis, keyhole surgery is often not considered to be beneficial, but nSTRIDE tends to slow, halt, and even reverse osteoarthritis progression. As a non-invasive and autologous procedure, nSTRIDE carries few risks, unlike surgery. In severe cases however, nSTRIDE cannot be used in place of total knee replacement but could delay the need for surgery.

Sometimes you can get bruising and discomfort at the site where blood is taken from your arm and around the site of the injection around the knee. Paracetamol can be taken but it is advised to avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen/voltarol for 1 week before treatment and 2 weeks post-treatment.

nSTRIDE stimulates a powerful healing response and should only take a short while to make a difference. Generally, people will notice an improvement in their symptoms within 2-6 weeks following the injection. The best results are achieved when the injection is combined with exercise and lifestyle changes, and therapies such as shockwave therapy are used which as a result can further enhance the healing response.

Clinical studies show a single nSTRIDE injection can significantly reduce inflammation and pain associated with knee arthritis for up to two years.

nSTRIDE is one of the latest biologic treatments used in treating knee osteoarthritis. It is an Autologous Protein Solution (APS) containing anti-inflammatory proteins (which are called cytokines) and anabolic growth factors from your own blood. As an autologous solution, it is obtained by separating white blood cells and platelets from your own blood and concentrating them in a small volume of plasma. The Autologous Protein Solution (APS) is then injected directly into the osteoarthritic knee joint.

nSTRIDE is used to relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. In more severe arthritis it can be given but is less effective as the knee cartilage is almost entirely worn away.

The benefits of an nSTRIDE injection:

• It can significantly improve mobility in the treated knee as it promotes cartilage cell growth and protects cartilage from catabolic degeneration
• It requires just one blood sample, which is then given as one single injection
• As it is an autologous treatment made from your own blood, it eliminates the risk of adverse reactions

In osteoarthritis of the knee, bad proteins (inflammatory cytokines) are in higher concentration than good proteins (anti-inflammatory cytokines). The imbalance of proteins leads to inflammation and the gradual break down of cartilage in the knee. nSTRIDE APS contains concentrated anti-inflammatory proteins, which once injected into the knee cartilage it inhibits the activity of inflammatory proteins in the osteoarthritic knee. As a result, this reduces inflammation and slows down or halts the natural deterioration of the knee cartilage.nSTRIDE is also rich in anabolic proteins, which stimulate the production of cartilage. By reducing inflammation and stimulating repair of the damaged cartilage tissue, it helps slow down or reverse the progression of osteoarthritis. Although nSTRIDE was initially indicated for treating knee osteoarthritis only, it is currently being reviewed and is due to be approved to treat osteoarthritis in other joints.