Living with arthritis can make even the simplest daily activities uncomfortable. Whether it’s painful knees when climbing stairs, stiff ankles in the morning, or aching joints after a walk, arthritis can have a significant impact on your mobility, independence, and quality of life.
While there is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, treatments are available to help manage pain, improve joint function, and make everyday movement more comfortable.
At Cutting Edge Podiatry in Cambridge, specialist clinician Neil Liffen offers advanced assessment and treatment options, including ultrasound-guided injections, to help people struggling with arthritis and persistent.
What Is Arthritis and Why Does It Cause Joint Pain?
Arthritis is a condition that cause joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. There are several types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common, particularly among adults over 45.
Osteoarthritis develops when the tissues within a joint change over time, including the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones. This can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced movement.
Common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Joint pain during or after movement
- Stiffness, particularly after resting
- Swelling or tenderness around affected joints
- Reduced flexibility and difficulty moving comfortably
- Grinding or clicking sensations in the joints
Osteoarthritis commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, and feet. Knee arthritis can be particularly debilitating, making walking, exercising, climbing stairs, or even getting out of a chair uncomfortable.
Although arthritis is often associated with ageing, it can also affect younger people, especially following joint injuries or years of repetitive strain.
Can Arthritis Pain Be Treated Without Surgery?
Many people assume that worsening arthritis pain will eventually mean joint replacement surgery. However, several non-surgical treatments can help manage symptoms and maintain mobility.
Depending on the severity of your arthritis, treatment options can include physiotherapy, strengthening exercises, weight management, appropriate pain relief, and specialist joint injections. Ultrasound-guided injection therapy allows treatment to be delivered precisely into an affected joint.
At Cutting Edge Podiatry, three types of injections are available for suitable patients:
- Hyaluronic Acid Injections – Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in joint fluid and helps provide lubrication. Injections aim to improve joint movement and reduce discomfort.
- Cortisone Injections – These help reduce inflammation and can provide short-term relief from painful arthritis symptoms. They may be particularly useful when pain makes exercise or rehabilitation difficult.
- Arthrosamid Injections – Arthrosamid is a newer treatment for knee osteoarthritis that may provide longer-lasting pain relief. Arthrosamid is a non-biodegradable hydrogel injected into the joint. Published clinical research has reported improvements in knee pain, stiffness, and mobility lasting up to five years following a single injection. A 2025 clinical study and a 2026 five-year follow-up study both reported sustained improvements, although results vary between patients and further research is needed to establish long-term effectiveness.
These treatments do not cure arthritis or reverse joint damage, but they can help you manage symptoms and maintain a more active lifestyle. The most suitable approach depends on the type and severity of arthritis, your medical history, and your individual treatment goals.
You can learn more about the different options on our Ultrasound-Guided Injection Therapy page.
How Can Knee Arthritis Treatment Improve Your Quality of Life?
Effective arthritis pain management can potentially help you:
- Walk longer distances with less discomfort.
- Climb stairs more comfortably.
- Improve joint movement and flexibility.
- Return to hobbies, exercise, and everyday activities.
- Participate more comfortably in physiotherapy and strengthening exercises.
- Maintain independence and confidence in your mobility.
Arthritis Assessment and Treatment in Cambridge
If arthritis is impacting your mobility and quality of life, getting the right advice and treatment can make a real difference.
At Cutting Edge Podiatry, specialist arthritis assessments and treatments are provided by Neil Liffen, an Extended Scope Physiotherapist and Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Sonographer.
Neil offers diagnostic MSK ultrasound scans and injection therapy at our Cambridge clinic every second Friday, between 8:30am and 12 noon.
Appointments can be booked online, or you can call 01223 633 038.
We recommend booking early as availability is limited and appointments book up fast.
