As a former elite athlete and now a High Performance Coach for Great Britain’s (GB) National Taekwondo Team, Nelson Miller understands the extremes to which we can push our bodies physically and mentally. As a young Taekwondo player in Cuba from the mid-1980s, Nelson learned to manage the pain of training and competing through injuries. However, over time and since retiring from the sport after 14 intensive years having competed in the 80kg+ category at the Syndey 2000 Olympics, the daily pain and discomfort in his knees became intolerable and limited his ability to perform his duties as a coach.
“Since the injection, I’m back to loving my coaching. I’m excited about the build up to the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Even the athletes at the GB Taekwondo Centre in Manchester where I coach on a daily basis have noticed a difference in me – now I can move quickly when I need to get out of the way of a kick!”
Now, aged 60, he been able to benefit from a single, same day hydrogel injection with Arthrosamid® and has successfully recovered to regain his mobility. Nelson currently coaches one of the most exciting young talents at the GB Taekwondo Centre in Manchester – “King Caden” - Caden Cunningham, a Taekwondo sensation from Huddersfield, who won a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Nelson explains; “Throughout my playing career, I tried so many strategies to alleviate pain – relying heavily on painkillers at some points. The desire to compete at the highest level was so strong and the culture at the time in the sport was less open – so it was a case of “needs must”. When I retired, I moved into coaching, which I loved, but it was also physically intensive. Taekwondo coaching is traditionally “hands on” and based on a 1-1 coaching model - so it involves demonstrating techniques and I’m on my feet for a big part of the day.
“As time has gone on, I’ve started to feel the effects of coaching on my body and in recent years, would usually limp out of each session. Before my injection with Arthrosamid® in 2025, I’d actually had to adapt my coaching style by sitting on the ground much more to ease the pressure on my joints. The pain was particularly bad in the colder, winter months. At some points, even walking was painful – every step was an effort. It wasn’t just the physical pain that I struggled with, I found it all consuming on a mental level. I was thinking about the pain all the time.
“I have been working closely with Advanced Musculoskeletal Clinician Ben Harper at Chesire Joint Injections for years – and he’s carefully managed my treatment trying everything from analgesic gels to steroids. When he suggested I try Arthrosamid®, I was initially sceptical, but also intrigued and keen to try a gentle, non-surgical option with minimal downtime for recovery. Having had knee surgery in the past, I was fearful that a full-knee replacement would be my only option and the prospect of an operation, followed by a lengthy recovery period, was not a prospect I relished. I didn’t experience any side-effects at all from the treatment itself – and I was able to follow the rehab programme (a mixture of conditioning and weights) using the excellent gym facilities at the centre, every morning before coaching.
“For me, the results of the injection in my right knee have fundamentally changed the way that I can live my life. It is honestly such a physical and mental relief to be free of the pain. Unhindered by pain when I’m walking and cycling now, I’m able to really interact with the natural environment around me. I would say that my quality of life has improved dramatically – by as much as a 70% improvement.
Nelson feels that his own experiences with injury and later, managing the pain of knee osteoarthritis, has given him a greater insight into the challenges faces by today’s young players.
Nelson comments, “Back in my day, Taekwondo was a much more physical game. So, serious and complex injuries were commonplace and there was less understanding or acknowledgement of recovery techniques and preventative strategies such as strength and conditioning. The culture then was more - “get on with it” – so I look back and realise I was masking pain a lot of the time to keep training and performing at that level. Now, young players face different challenges. The pace and volume of competitions, the technical aspects, tactical strategy and the pressure to perform and achieve rankings have increased – and put a great strain on the body and mind.
“Since the injection, I’m back to loving my coaching. I’m excited about the build up to the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Even the athletes at the GB Taekwondo Centre in Manchester where I coach on a daily basis have noticed a difference in me – now I can move quickly when I need to get out of the way of a kick!”
