Professional Athletes Report Benefits
Flexion’s Zilretta discussion panel did not consist of just any patients; patient speakers at the summit talk were high profile, retired professional athletes for whom the daily toll of having played professional sports includes chronic knee pain.
Moderator Solomon Wilcots, retired NFL player and current broadcaster explained, “Many of us have been blessed enough to have careers where we could change the trajectory of our lives. What allowed us to do that is first being able to have good health. Anytime that trajectory is interrupted, we have to call on wonderful, bright, people like the surgeons in this room. And we need you—in order to continue our careers and to stay in the game.”
All panel members had all received Zilretta treatment for chronic, osteoarthritic knee pain. These patients included Mike Eruzione, 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team Captain and Gold Medalist, Rod Woodson, retired NFL player and Hall of Fame Member, and Chris Dickerson, retired MLB player.
Efficacy and Durability of Treatment
Scott Kelley, M.D. Chief Medical Officer at Flexion, spoke to OTW about Zilretta’s efficacy. When asked to explain the benefits of Zilretta he said, “Like we heard tonight, so many patients noticed the fast onset of incredible magnitude of pain relief—and durability is what they really noticed.” Some panel participants reported pain relief from severe osteoarthritic knee pain for 2 to 4 or more months after receiving the treatment. Most of the professional athletes who spoke were surprised at how long the pain relief benefits lasted.
Improved Quality of Life
Dr. Kelley, an anesthesiologist by trade, also noted how patients in general and the athletes speaking at the seminar emphasized their dramatically improved quality of life. “Pain has this big umbrella effect on life, right? And if we take away the pain, then suddenly the other elements of your life can just really emerge,” he said. “Every one of them just had a good example of how their life was restored when the osteoarthritic knee pain was treated and went away.”
“It can change the way somebody functions dramatically,” said Kelley.
