AposTherapy for the treatment of OA in the knee, hip, ankle

sturge8

Has anyone tried this kind of therapy, I just had a recent consultation and found it really interesting. It could slow my degeneration down and reduce my pain.

stickywicket

I'm almost certain this topic came up on here about 6 months ago but I've tried putting it into AC's search engine and I can't get anything. I don't even know which forum it cropped up on. Could have been this one or Helplines.

barbara12

Hi sturge8
This is very interesting...in America, if you have the proper medical cover that is... if you go in with knee , hip, ankle pain...the first thing they check is the way you walk, they do it by computer.
It makes sense if you are rolling on your feet, you are putting strain on your joints, so if you are prone to OA, these joints will be worn uneven...thus causing the pain.
This is why some physios get us to wear insoles, just to get you to walk properly, the thing is if you have had this pain for a long time, wearing any shoes or insoles may make matters worse before they get better.
The knees are really effected by the way you walk, I suppose it depends on the price of these shoes, and if they give a trial first.
I have never heard off anyone that has been down this road, so if you do please let us know how you go on.
You take care x

sturge8

I've found a thread from someone who's used it on another forum, if anyone cares to read. http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEtalk/index.php?PHPSESSID=a01994828c81c0835fd49babd0749f6c&topic=57625.new

I'm keen to learn if it could at least help relieve my deferred pain in my knee and hip caused from my bad ankle. Its not cheap though, but then nothing is. I'll keep you guys in the loop with my decisions.

barbara12

Oh I would be very careful at those prices..who knows that this person gets paid for the advertizing....obviously the screws on the bottom of the trainer when altered will lift the insole ....so its just one up from seeing a podiatrist and trying different insoles...sorry I am being so negative, but I would hate you to spend that sought of money and get very little relief.

sturge8

i currently wear insoles, and they do help support my falling arches, however they unfortunately don't help reduce my OA or deferred pain. Apos is all about stimulating muscles and retraining you to weight bear correctly again. I think i've fallen into too many bad habits with regards to my posture and gait.

barbara12

Just a point, why dont you look in to having your gait accessed privately, if its not to expensive it might be worth doing.
I do hope you get some relief very soon,I have referred pain in my knees coming from my hips, so I do know how painful it can be.
You take care x

JuliaHod12

Apos therapy was mentioned to me some months ago by my private insurance co (BUPA), as i understand it they own and promote this service as a way of possibly intervention before surgery becomes necessary. As my insurers recommended this they would cover the cost of the consultation and the shoes.
I chose not to take up this option as I had gone too far down the slippery slope with my OA and TKR was my only option.
I would not dissuade anyone from trying this if they are in the very early stages of OA, but I would also seek a medical opinion first!

I also had my gait assessed at a store called Foot Solutions, they also tailor make shoes to suit your particular needs and the cost is pretty steep, this may be an alternative for you?

molo

After developing knee pain over a period of time and having physiotherapy, which did no good, I had two Arthroscopy operations on my right knee, in late 2007 and early 2009.I was in a lot of pain after the second one and six months on I thought I was going to have to have a knee replacement. I read about APOS in the BUPA Newsletter, arranged to see them and have never looked back. The pain was vastly reduced to almost nothing within two weeks and it has also helped my back problems. Being now virtually pain free, I am able to go on long walks and to ride a horse at fast paces for two hours with no pain ( something I thought I would never do again). I am also able to go on long mountain bike rides with my son, who is very impressed with my fitness! I can thoroughly recommend APOS, it has definitely been worth it for me.

steve700

I have suffered with knee problems since a very young age and have over the years had to have numerous arthroscopies. The right knee was eventually given a half knee replacement about eight years ago and last year I was informed that my left knee needed a TKR with the possibility of having the right knee given a TKR shortly afterwards. Due to my age (48) I was also informed that revision surgery would also be inevitable in the future. I had to be retired from my job and could not sleep without pain killers, I saw three doctors all of who confirmed the need for the TKR.
My wife saw an advert in a paper for a non surgical treatment (apostherapy) and I went for a free consultation, as soon as I wore the boots I was shocked at the immediate effect. I decided to pay for a private consultation before committing to a life changing decision and to ask his advice on apostherapy. It was as a result of this consultation I decided to commit to apostherapy. I was booked in for the TKR in january and started apostherapy in the november. As soon as I started the treatment my pain reduced dramatically and I was soon taking no painkillers. I cancelled the TKR and I am now more active than I could of ever expected and enjoying life without having to think about my knees. I wish I had known about it years ago!

Scrambler

Apos might work for some people, but for me it represented a waste of £2,500, six trips to King’s Cross and the daily wearing of their clogs for a year, all to no avail. Apos staff are charming, its sales pitch persuasive and ubiquitous, but in the end it’s rather like a cult: you buy the mystique. Even the Israeli research (Apos is an Israeli enterprise) concludes that “improvements peak after eight weeks of therapy and remain stable for two years as long as treatment is maintained” (Yaron Bar-Ziv and others). Note, “for two years as long as treatment is maintained”, so even if you’ve experienced any improvement after 8 weeks, it’ll only last 2 years, and you’ll be paying another £250 for each bimonthly follow-up. Shortly after completing my ‘treatment’ I discover Timberland Splitrock boots. Suddenly, the knee pain I’d had for over three years, went. And for a fortieth of the price. Even though I wouldn’t risk mountain hiking, at least now I can walk a couple of miles without discomfort.
My therapist admitted my knee hadn’t shown as much improvement as she would have hoped – to me, it showed none at all. Interestingly, I haven’t been asked for feedback. Perhaps that’s how they maintain their “92% recommendation” rating.
Based on my experience: avoid, avoid, avoid. Buy a pair of commercially available boots.

[Deleted User]

Hello Scrambler,

Welcome to the forum from the moderation team. You will find help, support and understanding - as well as some laughs along the way :P

It is usual to introduce yourself when first posting, usually in 'say hello' or 'living with arthritis' - do feel able to do this if you wish. Information in threads can become outdated after 2-3 years so often members start a new topic.

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Jen

I couldn't access the page link on the other forum but for those that want to read more about it, here is the FAQ on AposTherapy:

http://www.apostherapy.co.uk/en/the-treatment/faq

Melanie17

Hi,
I had a knee arthroscopy at the same time as a very good friend of mine.We both had problems afterwards and my friend found AposTherapy.I tried really hard to dissuade her-the cost was prohibitive and it all seemed gimmicky.She told me that there are physiotherapists present who assess you and watch how you walk and it would not be sold to you unless the assessment showed there would definitely be benefits.She joined up and six months later swears by it.Her walking has improved beyond belief as has her level of pain.I was shocked-maybe it works for some but not for others and I wouldn't take the chance.I mean-what compensation would you get if it failed.You couldn't exactly take it back to the shop,could you?
Melanie