About knee osteoarthritis (OA)

In knee OA, the joint surface begins to break down. This joint surface is normally covered with cartilage, the firm material at the bone ends that acts as a cushion against shocks. As the cartilage of an OA sufferer’s joint wears away, the bone ends may begin to rub against each other, causing pain.

The importance of reducing excess joint load

Research shows that knee OA can begin or progress if the joint is exposed to excess stress or load^1,2, which can result in pain and loss of motion. Several conditions can lead to joint overload, including anatomy, injury, or obesity. When too much load is placed on a joint, the progression of joint disease can lead to painful knee OA.^3,4,5,6,7. Restoring the joint to normal loading conditions may relieve pain while maintaining healthy cartilage⁸.

The goals of OA treatment include minimizing pain, restoring normal activity levels, and slowing disease progression. While drugs and certain cartilage repair procedures may temporarily relieve pain, they often do not treat the underlying problems that led to OA. Although some invasive surgical procedures can effectively reduce joint stress, they often involve permanent changes to the joint’s natural anatomy, which may limit future treatment options.

What is the UKU?

The UKU is an implant that works like a shock absorber for your knee. The concept has been validated to provide pain relief for patients since 2008 and was specifically designed to allow OA sufferers to maintain high activity or productivity levels. The UKU is manufactured from advanced biomaterials and has passed durability and biocompatibility testing.

The UKU may be appropriate if you:

• Suffer from pain on the medial (inner) side of your knee, especially with activity
• Desire to be more active again
• Have medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA)

The UKU will not cure your osteoarthritis, but it may provide pain relief.