Claire Redman

With an undergraduate degree and background in Sport Science, Claire Redman, 54, from Thames Ditton, is a passionate advocate for the role of exercise in women’s health. Claire’s career has spanned many areas of sport, exercise, health and fitness, with a particular focus on working with women and girls.On graduating 31 years ago Claire began her career in Health Promotion, working with special populations supporting an active lifestyle for individuals at risk of heart disease, with women on probation and with initiatives encouraging girls to stay in sport. Opportunities lead her to work in Sport Science Support (with Kent Netball), Sports Development, University Sport, Sports Coaching, PT and Fitness Centre Management. She has chaired the Mid Kent Coronary Heart Disease Network Group, been a Vice President on the British Universities and Colleges Sport organisation, and run back to netball initiatives. On becoming a mother, Claire moved into teaching, becoming a Girls’ Games Coach. More recently she gained the Royal Society of Public Health’s (RSPH) Level 4 Nutrition qualification, returned to coaching a University Netball Team and works as a
menopause coach.

She has always loved exercise and team sports, playing both hockey and netball at junior county and senior club level, swimming in her 20s, running and netball in her 30s, yoga and pilates in her 40s and now tennis in her 50s. Strength and conditioning has been part of her routine since her 20s, with her focus shifting more recently to longevity. This has given her both a professional and personal insight into the benefits of good mobility for women at all stages of life. 

Understandably, when Claire started to experience problems with her knees around 8 years ago, it hit her hard.

Claire explains, “I’ve always been active. I love walking the dogs, cycling, swimming, being active with my children, going to the gym to train and attend classes. A couple of years ago I started playing tennis socially, meeting with a community of wonderful women at our local park courts. Movement is such an important part of my life – it’s who I am really. I think daily movement is even more important as we get older and, for me, exercise is one of the keys to longevity. I am conscious of where I want to be in 20 years, so I focus on mobility, balance strength and agility with the hope that in twenty years’ time tennis, cycling and walking will still be accessible! Frustratingly, over the past eight years, or more, I have had trouble with both my knees – at times suffering with acute pain. I carried on exercising, adapting how and what I do, often struggling and grimacing my way through pain and discomfort, partly because my job requires me to move and be mobile and partly because I am passionate about the benefits of exercise for women as we age, in particular post-menopause”.

Last year, the pain became unbearable, with everyday tasks like moving after a car journey being extremely difficult and painful. Claire sought the advice of a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, specialising in knee and trauma surgery, Mr John Dabis. Following an MRI, Mr Dabis confirmed significant damage to the cartilage in both knees. Claire was keen to hear
about alternatives to a full knee replacement and the decade-long scientific evidence behind Arthrosamid® helped to support Mr Dabis’ recommendation of treatment with this hydrogel injection. 

Claire says, “I originally went to see Mr Dabis about my right knee, but as soon as I walked into the consulting room, he could see from my gait that the left knee was also badly affected. When he recommended Arthrosamid®, I was delighted that I was eligible to try out this innovative hydrogel injection. I am amazed by the results and am fascinated by the treatment, and truly believe in its potential to help so many more people suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Regaining my mobility was incredibly important to me and my husband. He and I researched the Arthrosamid® treatment and made the decision that it was worth the investment to access it privately. The treatment is definitely revolutionary and I would love to see this treatment being offered within the NHS. The savings to be made by not performing invasive knee surgery in the form of replacements, the recovery time needed and the possible costs incurred due to complications, make Arthrosamid® a real game changer for the NHS”.

On the 30th January 2025, Claire had the treatment in both knees at the Parkside Hospital in Wimbledon, South London. She was surprised and delighted by the ease and speed of the process, commenting; “Arthrosamid® is an outpatient procedure, so on the same day I had the injections I drove myself home and walked the dogs later that afternoon. It felt surreal to have such a life-changing treatment within a day. My recovery was straightforward, but with both knees affected, it took about 12 weeks in total to get back to where I wanted to be physically – back on the court with my friends! I used my academic background as well as my sporting experience to stick to a rehab plan to support my recovery, returning to stationary cycling after a few weeks, gradually returning to weight-bearing exercise through
the knees after six weeks, and then back to tennis after three months.”

“The injection has made such as difference to our life as a family – my husband and the children have really noticed how much happier I am now that I am able to be more active. I honestly feel like I am in my mid 30s again. Since the injection, I feel like we have been living the active family life we all enjoy. We enjoyed an active summer holiday, and have
walking trips planned for the Lake District and Scotland later this year. Now I feel my knees will carry me up and along the fells and mountains without any of the previous pain or discomfort. The boost Arthrosamid® has given me … well it actually feels like I could skip!”