A Renfrewshire grandfather and former director of care at the veterans’ charity Erskine says a new treatment has helped him return to daily walks after years of severe knee pain.
Derek Barron, 65, had been struggling with knee osteoarthritis for several years. The condition became so painful that he could not finish a short walk with his golden-doodle.
But after receiving a non-surgical treatment in Glasgow last year, Derek says he is now walking up to 10,000 steps a day.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff. It affects millions of people across the UK.
Derek said the pain gradually worsened from 2020 and by 2023 it was having a major impact on his daily life.
The timing was especially difficult as he was also coping with the loss of his wife, Moira, in early 2025.
“Walking my dog and getting outdoors became my sanctuary after Moira passed away,” Derek said.
“But the pain was so severe there were times I couldn’t even make it home. I’d have to sit on the pavement and call my daughters to come and collect us. It was awful to lose that last bit of peace.”
After other treatments failed to bring relief, Derek was referred to Dr Manas Tiwari, a musculoskeletal specialist at The Glasgow Private Clinic.
In May 2025 he received a hydrogel injection treatment in both knees. The procedure involves a single injection into the knee designed to reduce pain caused by osteoarthritis.
Derek said the improvement was almost immediate.
“The effect has been transformative, there’s really no other word for it,” he said.
“I only realised how bad things had been when I found myself relearning how to walk properly. For the first time in years, I was standing fully upright instead of stooping. I felt like I was getting my old life back.”
Now retired, Derek says he hopes sharing his experience will help raise awareness of treatments available for people living with the condition.
“People worry about the recovery time of surgery and the cost to the NHS,” he said.
“I want people to know they don’t have to just put up with the pain. I’m back to walking miles, playing with my grandchildren, and most importantly, I can sleep again. That alone is life-changing.”
Dr Tiwari said osteoarthritis can have a major impact on both physical and mental wellbeing.
He added: “Osteoarthritis can take the joy out of simple, everyday things, even something as ordinary as walking the dog. But, as Derek’s experience shows, this treatment is offering real hope. It has the potential to transform how osteoarthritis is managed and help people stay active and independent as they get older.”
Headline photo: Derek Barron from Renfrewshire with his golden-doodle after treatment helped him return to daily walks.
Photo Credit: Erskine Veterans Charity