Yeovil Orthopaedic Clinic

02/12/2025

25/11/2025

Arthrosamid® Knee Injections: A new option for treating knee arthritis

If you suffer from knee arthritis, you know how much it can affect your daily life — from walking the dog to climbing stairs or simply getting an uninterrupted night’s sleep. While treatments such as physiotherapy, steroid injections, and replacement surgery can help, many people are looking for longer-lasting relief without the risks or long recovery time of surgery. That’s where Arthrosamid® comes in — a new and clinically proven treatment for knee osteoarthritis that’s now available in the UK, including at Yeovil Orthopaedic Clinic.

What Is it?
Arthrosamid® is a non-biodegradable polyacrylamide hydrogel injection developed specifically for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Unlike other types of injections (such as steroid or hyaluronic acid), Arthrosamid® is not absorbed or broken down by the body. Instead, it becomes a permanent part of the joint lining, acting as a soft, cushioning layer inside the knee.
This means that, rather than just providing temporary pain relief, Arthrosamid® has the potential to help improve joint pain and function for the longer term (even several years)

How does it work?
In osteoarthritis, the smooth cartilage that normally covers the ends of your bones breaks down and wears away, with resulting inflammation leading to stiffness, swelling, and pain. Arthrosamid® works by:
• Lubricating the joint: improving movement and reducing friction.
• Acting as a cushion: absorbing pressure and shock inside the knee.
• Reducing inflammation and pain (by reducing synovitis): many patients report significant pain relief within weeks.
Clinical studies have shown sustained improvement in pain and quality of life for up to 3 years following a single injection.

The Procedure
The Arthrosamid® injection is a day-case, non-surgical procedure performed under local anaesthetic.
The whole process usually takes around 20–30 minutes:
1. Tablet antibiotics are given to reduce the risk of infection
2. The skin around the knee is numbed with local anaesthetic
3. Under ultrasound guidance, the Arthrosamid® gel is carefully injected into the knee joint cavity by a specialist knee surgeon trained in this technique
4. You can walk immediately afterwards and return to normal activities within a day or two (although strenuous activity should be avoided for the first few weeks)
There’s no hospital stay, no general anaesthetic, and no lengthy recovery period. Patients may experience mild discomfort for a few days after the procedure requiring standard painkillers.

Who can benefit?
Arthrosamid® may be suitable if you:
• Have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis - all grades of knee arthritis can be considered, but the best response rates are in patients under 70 years old with moderate arthritis who have post-activity swelling / inflammation
• Are no longer getting relief from physiotherapy, painkillers, or other types of injection
• Wish to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery
Your suitability will be assessed through a detailed consultation and examination, supported by X-rays and / or MRI scans.

What are the benefits?
• Long-lasting pain relief – around 80% of patients have a positive response, with many reporting improvements in pain and function lasting years
• Better mobility and quality of life – move more freely, with less discomfort
• Minimally invasive – no surgery or scars, out-patient treatment
• Clinically proven and CE-marked for safety and effectiveness, with a safety profile established over 20 years

Is it right for you?
Every patient - and every knee - is different and needs careful individual assessment. If you’ve been struggling with the symptoms of knee arthritis and are looking for a modern, evidence-based treatment that has the potential to offer lasting relief, Arthrosamid® may be an excellent option.

Book a Consultation
If you’d like to learn more about Arthrosamid® knee injections or discuss whether this treatment is right for you, please get in touch with Yeovil Orthopaedic Clinic to arrange a consultation and receive information on self-pay treatment packages. Together, we can explore the most effective, personalised options to reduce pain and help you stay active.

Ben Lankester, November 2025

01/05/2024

Hip and Knee Success

A group of “golden oldies” in Yeovil has been hearing how medical teams at the town’s hospital are working to reduce waiting times for orthopaedic surgery and offer patients a greater choice.

Matthew Hall, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Clinical Director for Orthopaedics and the Kingston Wing at Yeovil Hospital, was speaking to the “Brympton Golden Oldies” coffee morning at Abbey Manor Community Centre.

Matthew explained how innovative ways of working – including the introduction of day case surgery for hip and knee replacements – was benefitting patients.

Yeovil Hospital also offers the option of private surgery, through the Kingston Wing, with all the profits going back into the NHS.

Many of the 6.5 million people currently on the NHS waiting list are waiting for hip and knee replacements.

A recent report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies said that, while the waiting list is beginning to fall, it is unlikely to get back to pre-pandemic levels until 2029. It’s prompted an increase in the number of people going abroad for surgery.

Today Matthew said: “Of course people with chronic hip and knee pain want to get an operation quickly but it is also extremely important that they go to the right place at the right time.

“Often, it can be daunting for elderly patients with joint pain to know how and when to seek help and what options are available to them to improve their quality of life in the future. I hope that my talk helped shed some light on some of these queries.”

He added: “In the Kingston Wing we have a philosophy of ‘private experience with NHS peace of mind’ and we think that is what sets us apart from other private hospitals.”

His presentation to the “golden oldies” – around 65 of them - was certainly well received.

One of the organisers of the coffee morning, Robert Brooks (82) from Brympton, said: “Matthew’s presentation was both interesting and informative, delivered as it was, with passion, humour and understanding to a group of people who were concentrating attentively throughout.

“It was a testament to its relevance, and Matthew’s empathy with the group of sixty plus in attendance”.

Ian Schafer (75), from Yeovil, said: “I thought it was very informative. Now I know what the process is and how simple it is, it has reassured me that if I did have to go into hospital, I would be in good hands”.

Bill Higgins (81) from Yeovil, said: “The talk was very interesting and gave a lot of information. I was particularly interested in the treatment of hip pain and that surgery is not always needed as you offer injections also”.

PICTURE attached: Consultant Matthew Hall with “golden oldies” at a coffee morning in Yeovil

Clinton Rogers

09/10/2023

Dupuytren’s Fasciectomy

Summary
This operation is performed for Dupuytren’s disease. The aim of the operation is to remove the abnormally thickened tissue in the palm or finger. This leads to a straighter finger and an improvement in function.

Factors to Consider
Symptoms from Dupuytren’s disease vary significantly between patients. Many people will find that the position of the finger gets in the way during day to day tasks. Without treatment the bend will typically get worse, though the timescale can be very variable. The severity of your symptoms will dictate whether you should proceed to surgery.

Non-surgical treatments such stretching and splints are typically not effective. There are a number of surgcial options which are suitable in different situations. These include needle fasciotomy, collagenase (Xiapex) injection and fasciectomy . Your surgeon will be able to discuss which of these are the most appropriate, though for many it will be fasciectomy.

It is possible that this procedure can be re-done if the disease recurs and is troublesome. A skin graft is sometimes needed in these circumstances which is taken from the upper arm.

Description of Surgery
The operation can usually be performed as a daycase procedure but you will need to ensure that there is someone to drop you off and pick you up from the hospital. You will also need to have a responsible adult at home with you on the night of the operation.

The operation is performed through a incisions that run up the finger from the palm. The surgeon will then identify the nerves to the fingers and remove the abnormal tissue whilst protecting these. The finger is usually straighter after this, though a release of the first finger knuckle joint (proximal interphalangeal joint) may be required if it is also stiff.

Anaesthetic
The operation is usually performed under a general or regional anaesthetic and so you will be given instructions as to when you need to stop eating and drinking (normally the night before) before you come into hospital.

Your pain can be well controlled with local anaesthetic given during the operation or the regional anaesthetic.

What are the risks?
All operations involve an element of risk. The risks for this particular operation are small but it is important that you are aware of them.

The risk of infection is very small and is thought to be less than 1%. Most infections will settle simply with antibiotics.

Damage to nerves and blood vessels to the finger can occur, though the risk of them being divided is about 1%.

The finger position is usually much improved, though it may not go fully straight and this is more common with involvement of the proximal interphalangeal joint.

Some stiffness and swelling is common and usually resolves rapidly with elevation and movement of the fingers. Complex regional pain syndrome is a rare complication that may cause more prolonged pain, stiffness or swelling.

There is no cure for Dupuytren’s disease and it will often recur over a number of years. Rarely this can be more rapid.

After Surgery
Pain
Local anaesthetic will be used during the operation and so you will feel comfortable when you first wake up. This can last up to 12 hours but the elbow may be sore after it wears off. You will be given a combination of pain killers to go home with. It is important that you take regular pain relief so that you can start moving your arm early.

Dressings
You will wake up with your arm in a bulky bandage and there may be a plaster cast underneath.

The wound is closed using non-dissolvable stitches. They will be removed by the therapists between 10-14 days.

You may be given a sling to help keep the hand up whilst walking about. This helps reduce swelling, but you can come out of it to move the shoulder and elbow.

Physiotherapy
The cast will be removed at about 1-2 weeks by the hand therapy team. The hand is then free to move and the therapist will help you to mobilise the hand.

Driving
You can drive when you feel you are safe to drive. This means that you feel confident that you have full control of your car and are able to swerve out of the way of something in the road. This will vary between patients but normally will be after 2 weeks.

Return to work
This depends on what your job is. You should be able to return to a “desk job” within a couple of weeks of your surgery. If you have a heavy manual job it can take up to 6 weeks before you feel ready to return to work. Please discuss this further with your surgeon or physiotherapist if you feel unsure. A sick note can be given to you at the time of your surgery if required. Please ask the nurses on the ward if you need one.

What to expect
Your finger should be improved straight away, though it may take a few weeks before it feels back to normal.

https://www.yeovilorthoclinic.co.uk/treatment/dupuytrens-fasciectomy/

04/10/2023

𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆?

Matthew Hall, our Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon explains more.

As a hip and knee replacement surgeon I work in both the NHS and private units at Yeovil Hospital delivering high quality care to all my patients. I am frequently asked by patients what the difference is between NHS care and private care, with the question ‘should I go private?’
The answer is simple, and below I’ll help explain more to support choosing the right route for them.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏?
Private healthcare means that the consultation, treatment or surgery is not provided by the NHS and is paid for by the individual. This can either be through private health insurance or on a self-pay basis which is funded directly by the individual.

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕?

Paying for your treatment is becoming increasingly popular with many patients and has a number of positive advantages.
1. Waiting times are dramatically less - often only a few weeks
2. Complete choice in who you wish as your surgeon/doctor
3. Choice in timing of surgery and appointments

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒀𝒆𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒍 𝑯𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍?

The Kingston Wing is the Private Patient Unit at Yeovil Hospital. The unit provides private patient benefits in the safety of an NHS hospital. In addition to this, your consultant and the team remain consistent throughout. We also have added benefits of single room accommodation with en-suite facilities, with a dedicated private patient menu. This ensures that your treatment journey from the minute you enter the hospital is comfortable and you can feel confident in the team caring for you.

Patients often choose the Kingston Wing for their care due to the proximity to NHS facilities should they be needed in an emergency. With more complex surgery and with the complex needs of patients, this offers an extra level of reassurance for both patients and their relatives. Put simply, if patients feel more assured and comfortable during their treatment, then their recovery is likely to be more successful.

If you have any further questions about private healthcare via the Kingston Wing at Yeovil Hospital, or want to know more about what is available, please contact our team on 01935 384234, e-mail kingston.wing@somersetft.nhs.uk or visit our website at www.kingstonwing.co.uk

28/09/2023

https://www.yeovilorthoclinic.co.uk/what-is-orthopaedic-surgery-and-how-should-we-spell-it/

Orthopaedics is the medical specialty that covers injuries and conditions that affect your musculoskeletal system – including your bones, joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments and nerves (which together allow you to move). But where does the name come from? And should we be talking about Orthopedics...

14/09/2023

https://www.yeovilorthoclinic.co.uk/self-funded-hip-replacement/

Are you thinking about a self-funded hip replacement but are unsure where to start? Having a hip replacement for painful arthritis can be a nerve-wracking experience. But waiting for this surgery can be equally stressful (especially now that NHS waiting times for non-urgent surgery have lengthened a...

30/08/2023

Ever wondered about obesity in hip and knee replacement surgery? Please click on the link below for full details:

What is obesity? The definition of obesity is a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kgs by the square of your height in metres. And surprisingly, it’s easier to hit a BMI of 30 than you might think! Obesity is a contributing factor in joint […]

15/08/2023

Paul Porter

Mr Porter has been a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Yeovil Hospital since 2004. He studied for a B.Sc in Biochemistry in Glasgow and has a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science. He studied Medicine in Southampton and completed his Orthopaedic Training in Yorkshire. He undertook a fellowship in Leeds Teaching Hospitals in Hip and Knee Joint Replacement Surgery and developed a special interest in this area. He also spent 6 months working with the Reconstructive Trauma Team in St James’ Hospital in Leeds.

Having started his Consultant career covering a broad range of sub specialities, he now focuses on Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery.
He also performs knee arthroscopic surgery.

Mr Porter submits data from all joint replacement operations to the National Joint Registry (NJR). His NJR data confirms his hip replacement practice is better than the national average for 5-year re-operation rates (2.08% vs 2.24%), and significantly better than the national average for knee replacement surgery (0.64% vs 2.63%).

He has published several papers in orthopaedic journals and presented at national meetings.

Mr Porter also has a well-established medico-legal practice.

Current NHS Position
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Current Positions in Yeovil Hospital
Lead for National Joint Registry
Orthopaedic Audit lead

Special Interests
Primary Hip Replacement Surgery
Primary Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee Arthroscopic (Keyhole) Surgery
Medico-Legal Report Writing

Research Interests
Mr Porter has carried out research on a range of subjects including:
- Enhanced (Rapid) Recovery in Orthopaedic Surgery
- Results of hip replacement surgery
- Revision hip surgery for leg-length discrepancy

Current Memberships
British Orthopaedic Society
British Medical Association
Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons (Glasgow)

Consulting Rooms
Kingston Wing, Yeovil Hospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil, BA21 4AT
Winterbourne Hospital, Dorchester, DT1 2DR

Specialist Area
Knee & Hip

13/08/2023

Sam Heaton

Sam Heaton (MSc, FRCS Tr. and Orth) is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with a specialist interest in hip and knee replacement primary and revision surgery. He has expertise in young adult hip surgery and knee surgery using keyhole techniques. Sam is also trained in all aspects of trauma surgery including major trauma and fragility fractures.

He qualified from Kings College London in 2005 and undertook his orthopaedic training on the prestigious Royal London Hospital rotation which includes time at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore. He also undertook a master’s degree in engineering at Cardiff University during this time. He was entered on to the specialist register in 2015.

Sam subsequently completed a one year arthroplasty and trauma fellowship at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia. He then went in on to complete a specialist hip surgery fellowship at the Royal Bournemouth hospital in all aspects of hip surgery, also for one year. In 2017 he was the visiting fellow at R. Cowley Shock Trauma Hospital in Baltimore USA specialising in major trauma.

Sam has presented nationally and internationally numerous times winning the AO Asia pacific young investigator of the year for his work presented in Cheng Du China. He has published many papers, is a visiting fellow at the Orthopaedic Research Unit at Bournemouth University and teaches trainee surgeons both locally and on national courses.

Consulting rooms
Kingston Wing, Yeovil Hospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil BA21 4AT
Sulis Hospital Bath, Foxcote Ave, Peasedown St John, Bath BA2 8SQ

Special clinical interests:
Surgery of the hip and knee in adults both as planned procedures and in emergencies

Research interests:
Periprosthetic fracture management (fracture around hip and knee replacements)

Training and Education
Minimising blood loss and transfusion requirements
Professional memberships:
British Orthopaedic Association

Specialist Area
Knee & Hip