Steve, from Dibden Purlieu in the New Forest, is delighted with it: “In terms of improving everyday life, the sleeve has been fantastic for me,” he says.
Mike, from Hedge End, feels the same: “With the sleeve on, I can walk a lot further and a lot quicker, without limping,” he explains. “It has improved my overall health.”
The sleeve they’re talking about is an Electrotherapy (or Electronic) Knee Sleeve, developed by a team at the University of Southampton (UoS) with backing from the Medical Research Council. Both men – 69 and 58 respectively and on the waiting list for knee replacements – are taking part in a trial to see if the device can make a genuine difference to osteoarthritis knee pain. Based on their experience so far, it seems to be working.
Of course, it’s great to see a pioneering piece of orthopaedic technology making waves in our own backyard: Hampshire, UK. But what about the sleeve itself? Is it a viable option for people with long-term knee problems? And could it potentially free more patients from the misery of osteoarthritis-related pain in the future? Let’s look at the device in more detail…
What does the Electronic Knee Sleeve do?
It’s made of a thin textile that pulls tight around the knee, rather like the ones you see on runners and footballers, but with special electrodes printed into the underside of the fabric. The patient carries a small pocket-sized box with them, which delivers a mild electrical current to the electrodes. You can see one of the sleeves in action, and how it’s made, in this YouTube video from the university team: Making dog walks easier with TENS Knee Sleeve.
How does the sleeve combat knee pain?
The technology it uses is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation – better known as TENS. You’ve probably seen TENS machines in hospitals and high street pharmacies. The idea behind them is to interrupt the pain messages that flow between the nerves and the brain. “[The current in the electrodes] can interfere with the pain signal transfer to the brain,” explains Kai Yang, Professor of E-textiles in Healthcare at UoS, who is leading the study. “It can also boost the body’s painkiller endorphins release.” (Endorphins are often described as the body’s natural painkillers.)
What are the potential benefits of a TENS sleeve for knee pain?
There are actually quite a few:
Improved mobility – The sleeve is designed to encourage patients back into walking and exercise. Regular movement is crucial for knee health and combating arthritis (see Why is exercise good for arthritis knee pain?)
Pain relief without drugs – If it works consistently, the sleeve could potentially help patients to reduce their reliance on painkillers, which can come with side effects and long-term implications
Basic comfort – The trial patients mention that the sleeve is easy to use and comfortable to wear; psychologically, this is actually quite important, because it incentivises people to keep going with the treatment and, again, to stay active
Designed for knee patients – Though it could have wider applications, this particular device is aimed at knee patients who suffer from chronic osteoarthritis-related pain. That could mean it’s more focused in terms of real-life patient needs.
Is it actually working for patients?
It’s hard to make sweeping judgements since the trial is ongoing (it started in the summer of 2025). Prof Yang says the response from participants has been “fantastic” and that “most” patients are saying the sleeve is helping them to reduce pain and stiffness and do more activities. Interestingly, we’ve met someone who is taking part in the trial and they tell us they’ve been very happy with the sleeve so far. In fact they are even considering whether to delay a planned knee replacement because their symptoms have reduced. So the early, very limited anecdotal evidence is encouraging.
Are there any cautions or caveats?
As with any new medical technology, yes, there are some important things to bear in mind. First, the trial hasn’t finished yet, so these are very much early-research days. We don’t yet know about long-term effectiveness, whether the pain relief continues for months or years, or if the effects might diminish over time. There are also some important questions around how you would use this sleeve, if it becomes available commercially or on the NHS. Could you wear it all day? What happens when you take it off? (The trial patients are using it for “up to one hour at a time, five to seven days per week.”) Finally, it’s important to remember that TENS technology isn’t a cure for arthritis. It’s designed to help people manage symptoms. But it doesn’t solve the underlying bone-on-bone joint damage that comes with osteoarthritis.
Should I use TENS for my knee pain?
Nobody can get their hands (or knees) on Southampton’s electronic sleeve just yet, but… there are plenty of existing TENS devices on the general market. You can buy them online, in high street stores, even supermarkets. Should you consider using one for your own knee pain? If you’re interested in trying TENS for knee pain:
- Check with your GP or other healthcare professional to make sure it’s appropriate for you, because TENS isn’t recommended for everyone. The NHS advises against using TENS if you have epilepsy, for example, if you use a pacemaker, or if you’re pregnant (unless your doctor or midwife tells you to).
- Check the device has a UKCA or European CE mark, which means it meets the right standards
- Read the NHS’s official advice on using TENS machines. You can find out more about the Dos, Don’ts and practicalities of the devices here: Tests and treatments A to Z: TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation).
The bottom line? TENS devices do seem to work for some patients when used as a tool for temporary symptom management. But it’s better to see them as part of a broader pain management strategy for knee arthritis rather than a treatment for the underlying problem. But this new study certainly has some encouraging early signs. We’ll be interested to hear more information about the trial when it’s complete, and whether the sleeve becomes more widely available.
Are you struggling with osteoarthritis knee pain, or wondering if TENS might be able to provide relief from long-term pain? We’re here to help. You can book a consultation with Mr Bailey on our website; or call or email the team direct and we’ll help you take the next steps.
