NStride Knee Injections

About NStride Knee Injections

NStride Autologous Protein Solution (APS) is a biological treatment designed to address the underlying inflammatory cause of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA). Unlike traditional treatments that merely manage symptoms, NStride aims to restore chemical balance to the joint. This service is best suited for individuals who have not achieved adequate relief from conservative methods (like Cortisone or Hyaluronic Acid) and are looking for a non-surgical solution that promotes joint health. The typical goals addressed are significant reduction in chronic knee pain, improved mobility and function, and protection against further cartilage destruction. The result clients can expect is sustained pain relief that can last for up to two to three years following a single, minimally invasive injection.

How it Works

Technology

NStride utilizes a proprietary, single-use system to concentrate beneficial proteins from the patient’s own blood. A blood sample is drawn, then processed to concentrate anti-inflammatory cytokines (like IL-1ra) and anabolic growth factors. These “good” proteins are then injected back into the knee joint. Once injected, the concentrated anti-inflammatory proteins are designed to block the “bad” inflammatory proteins (like IL-1 and TNFα) that actively break down cartilage in an arthritic knee. This dual action reduces inflammation and creates an environment more favourable for cartilage health.

Duration of Procedure

The entire NStride procedure is minimally invasive and takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes in our office. This includes the time needed for the blood draw, the 15 to 20 minutes required to process the blood using the NStride system, and the final injection into the knee joint. NStride is a key differentiator because it is designed to be a single-injection treatment, unlike traditional PRP, which often requires multiple sessions.

Results

Results are not instant but are often long-lasting. Many patients begin to notice significant pain reduction within one to four weeks post-treatment. Maximum benefit, including substantial pain relief and improved function, is typically observed at 6 to 12 weeks. Clinical studies have demonstrated the effects of a single NStride injection can last for 24 to 36 months, making it a highly valuable treatment for delaying or avoiding the need for surgery.

Safety and Comfort

NStride is a highly safe treatment because it is an autologous solution—meaning the therapeutic injection is made entirely from your own blood, eliminating the risk of allergic or adverse reactions to foreign substances. All knee injections are performed by Dr. Dowding, utilizing sterile technique.

To support comfort, the procedure is efficient and well-tolerated, though you may feel a brief sensation of pressure during the injection. It is common to experience mild to moderate soreness, stiffness, or swelling in the knee for the first 24 to 48 hours after the injection. This is a natural inflammatory response to the biological solution and should be managed with rest and appropriate pain relief as advised by our team.

Candidates for
NStride Knee Injections

NStride is a specialized solution for those managing the effects of osteoarthritis. You may be an ideal candidate for this powerful biological injection if you meet the following criteria:

Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)
Failure of Prior Conservative Treatment
Desire for Non-Surgical, Long-Term Relief
Overall Good Health

Safety and Comfort

have a question?

Quick answers to questions you may have

How is NStride different from standard PRP injections?

NStride is a unique type of biological injection that undergoes a secondary filtration process. It concentrates significantly higher levels of anti-inflammatory proteins, which actively block inflammatory factors, giving it a more targeted mechanism of action and typically resulting in longer-lasting relief from a single injection.

Is there any required downtime after the procedure?

Downtime is minimal. We recommend you minimize strenuous activity, intense training, and long-distance walking for up to 14 days following the injection to allow the biological solution to integrate effectively. You can usually return to light daily activities quickly.

How long does the pain relief from NStride actually last?

Clinical research on NStride has demonstrated significant and sustained pain relief for many patients lasting two to three years after just one injection. This makes it a highly durable option compared to traditional steroid or Hyaluronic Acid injections.

Since it uses my own blood, are there special blood donation rules?

No, standard blood donation rules do not apply, as the blood is taken and processed immediately for autologous use (used on you). We only draw a small, safe sample, typically about 55 ml, which is processed right here in the clinic under sterile conditions.