Mr Alex Chipperfield discusses his running triumphs and a new treatment for knee osteoarthritis now available at Benenden Hospital
Mr Alex Chipperfield, Medical Director and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Benenden Hospital, knows only too well the importance of being able to ‘move freely and live fully’.1-3 While he didn’t start running until later in life – he first started pounding the coastal roads close to where he lives when he was 46 years old – it’s fair to say he has accomplished more than most keen runners in the last four years. To date he has completed nine marathons, including four this year alone – London, Tokyo, Berlin, and, most recently, the New York City Marathon on 3rd November. This was also a great way to celebrate his 50th birthday…
“I can’t really say I enjoy running, but I like setting myself a challenge and, most of all, I’m very medal-orientated! I completed my first marathon in 2020 and it’s just gone on from there really. At the start I was very much focused on just getting through the last few miles and the notorious ‘tunnel of pain’. I then became intensely competitive about times and PBs. I’m proud to say that I have successfully completed nearly all of my marathon events in less than four hours – an achievement I just wouldn’t have thought possible back in my 30s! My best PB was for the London Marathon in 2021, where I crossed the finish line in 3 hours 43 mins. However, now it’s all about enjoying the moment, taking in the scenery in all these amazing cities and basking in the atmosphere. I don’t feel like I have anything more to prove in terms of pace, which is a nice place to be.
“However, in my profession I know more than most how knee-osteoarthritis can hamper a whole host of sporting passions, including running, tennis, golf and, in extreme scenarios, the condition can even hamper the simple pleasure of walking the dog. When speaking to my more fitness-orientated patients, many have had to reluctantly give up on their sporting endeavours and are now left with a huge void, both from a fitness and social perspective. I fully appreciate what a huge impact knee osteoarthritis can have on people’s lives.
“Many feel the condition is simply ‘wear and tear’ and to be expected as we age and are, understandably, fearful of knee replacement surgery. As a result, many accept the inevitability of never-ending steroid and pain-relief injections. Others simply put up with its associated symptoms, including joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and a general feeling that the knee could ‘give way’ at any moment.
“As someone who now cannot imagine a life without some form of physical challenge, the permanent injectable hydrogel from Arthrosamid® is offering real hope in transforming the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and ensuring it doesn’t impede lifestyles as we age. With proven efficacy of up to four years,3 there is currently no other non-invasive treatment that compares. Being able to provide pain-relief for such a sustained period of time, is hugely significant and exciting. As such, there has already been high demand for the treatment at Benenden Hospital, despite it only been made available here since October.
“Interestingly, for those who are just as keen on marathon running as me, there is evidence to show how it does not in fact impede knee health for first timers.4 Often it’s the amateur group who take up marathon running in middle age - just like myself - that have been thought to be most at risk of knee osteoarthritis. Yet, research is now showing how running a marathon can actually benefit knee health and offer protection. Training for, and then running a marathon for the first time, showed improvement in the bone beneath the cartilage surfaces of the main areas of the knee: these areas are those most susceptible to osteo-arthritis. This has been put down to running dramatically increasing the blood flow to all structures in and around the knee, improving the cartilage and strengthening the bones."
With rates of arthritis, and particularly knee osteoarthritis, increasing worldwide, Arthrosamid® is offering real hope to the growing number of people living with the knee osteoarthritis.
1. Bliddal, H., et al. (2021) Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: A 6 Months Prospective Study. J Orthop Res Ther. Vol 6 (2). 1188. ISSN 2575-8241.
2. Bliddal, H., et al. (2024) 3 year follow-up from a randomized controlled trial of intra-articular polyacrylamide hydrogel injection in subjects with knee osteoarthritis. Poster LB-31, OARSI 2024 World Congress on Osteoarthritis.
3. Bliddal, H., et al. (2024) A Prospective Study of Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: Results From 4 Years After Treatment. Presented at EORS 2024.
