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Knee Osteoarthritis Study Participants Needed
Posted on 07-31-2026 in Knee Osteoarthritis, Clinical Study, Knee & Knee Pain by Dr. Joshua Hackel

Posted on 07-31-2026 in Knee Osteoarthritis, Clinical Study, Knee & Knee Pain by Dr. Joshua Hackel
Knee osteoarthritis is typically the result of progressive wear and tear on the joint as we age and is one of the leading causes of disability. It can be hard when the pain, swelling, and stiffness from knee osteoarthritis prevent you from enjoying your life. Patients suffering from knee OA often have difficulty performing daily activities such as sleeping, walking, using stairs, bending down, caring for their family, working, and doing their favorite activities.
Have You Tried Conservative Options with Limited Relief and Are Not Ready for Major Surgery?
Surgery is not the first step. Many patients try conservative options first (ex., physical therapy, corticosteroids, other injections, activity modification). Over time, these interventions may provide limited relief. There are not many effective treatment options available to patients who have tried conservative options but are ready for major surgery.
What is the purpose of the study, and how does it work?
We are searching for new ways to help treat knee osteoarthritis (OA). The ARISE II study will examine how well a naturally, minimally invasive investigational therapy using your own MicroFat helps treat pain and function for patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.
Patients who qualify for the study and choose to participate will be required to sign an informed consent form and receive all study-related care and investigational devices from a trained physician and team at no cost. Participants may be compensated for travel and expenses for each completed study visit.
To learn more about the study, download the ARISE II Clinical Trial Overview for additional details and frequently asked questions. Interested study participants should contact Dr. Josh Hackel at 850-916-8783 or visit his web page to learn more about his experience and qualifications.

Have you ever taken a step and felt like there was a pebble stuck in your shoe, only to stop, check, and find nothing there? It's a surprisingly common complaint. Many patients describe the sensation as though they're walking on a small rock, a wrinkle in their sock, or something that simply won't go away. While it may seem like a minor annoyance at first, persistent pain in the ball of the foot is often your body's way of signaling that something isn't functioning as it should. Because several conditions can cause similar symptoms, understanding what may be behind the discomfort is the first step toward finding lasting relief.

For many patients living with chronic low back pain (LBP) and advanced knee arthritis, there comes a point when the treatments that once provided relief no longer seem to work as well. Medications may offer only temporary comfort, injections may become less effective over time, and everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or even getting out of a chair can become increasingly difficult. At that point, many patients ask the same question: "Am I ready for surgery, or are there other options I should consider first?" The answer is rarely as simple as "yes" or "no."

May is Arthritis Awareness Month, an opportunity to increase public understanding of arthritis and its impact on millions of lives. Established by the Arthritis Foundation, this national observance highlights the importance of early diagnosis, effective treatment, and ongoing research to improve the quality of life for those with arthritis.