nSTRIDE® Autologous Protein Solution
nSTRIDE is an autologous protein solution (APS) containing anti-inflammatory cytokines and anabolic growth factors.
It is one of the latest biologic regenerative treatments used in treating knee osteoarthritis.
As an autologous solution, it is obtained by separating white blood cells and platelets from your blood and concentrating them in a small volume of plasma, using the APS kit.
The obtained APS is then injected directly into the osteoarthritic knee joint.
How Does nSTRIDE APS Work?
In osteoarthritis of the knee, inflammatory cytokines (bad proteins) are in higher concentrations than anti-inflammatory cytokines (good proteins). This imbalance leads to inflammation and gradual degeneration of the knee cartilage.
nSTRIDE APS contains concentrated anti-inflammatory cytokines, which inhibit the activity of inflammatory cytokines in the osteoarthritic knee. This reduces inflammation and slows down or halts the degeneration of the knee cartilage.
nSTRIDE is also rich in anabolic cytokines, which stimulate the synthesis of the cartilage matrix.
Reducing inflammation and stimulating repair of the damaged cartilage tissue helps slow down or reverse the progression of osteoarthritis. Note that although nSTRIDE was initially indicated for treating knee osteoarthritis only, the manufacturer is now approving its use to treat osteoarthritis in other joints.
What Are the Benefits of nSTRIDE ?
Compared to traditional osteoarthritis treatment methods, nSTRIDE has many benefits.
These include:
- It is a non-invasive procedure involving a single injection.
- Significantly reduces inflammation and pain (70% reduction) associated with knee arthritis for up to two years.
- Significantly improves mobility in the treated knee.
- Protects cartilage from catabolic degeneration
- Promotes cartilage cell proliferation
- It is an autologous treatment, which eliminates the risk of adverse reactions.
When Can nSTRIDE Be Used?
nSTRIDE injection is used to relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Patients with severe osteoarthritis cannot benefit from this treatment as their knee cartilages are almost, if not entirely, degenerated.
What Are the Benefits of nSTRIDE APS Over Surgery or PRP Therapy?
nSTRIDE is a biologic treatment administered to patients suffering from mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. 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 cannot help much with their condition, but nSTRIDE tends to slow, halt, or 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 as it’s not practical.
nSTRIDE and PRP injections are similar in that both are autologous treatments that utilize blood proteins to promote tissue healing. The key difference between the two is that nSTRIDE contains leukocytes and anti-inflammatory 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.
What to Expect During and After the Procedure
During the procedure, our specialist draws blood from your arm and separates it to obtain a concentrated nSTRIDE APS solution. This solution (about 3ml) is then injected into the osteoarthritic knee. During injection, you may experience a minor pinch and discomfort.
After the treatment, it’s normal to experience some knee pain and stiffness, which subsides after about 2 days. After the treatment, one should minimize physical activities for the next 14 days to increase the efficacy of the APS injection. Osteoarthritis pain starts to decrease in approximately one to two weeks following the nSTRIDE injection. After a few weeks, pain and discomfort are alleviated, and the attained results last for approximately 12-24 months. Although this treatment is one of the best in the industry, it is still not a cure for osteoarthritis.