It goes without saying that as one ages, one’s ability to remain physically healthy becomes more of a daunting task as one’s body breaks down. Osteoarthritis-related knee pain is something that one would believe would be common, particularly for retired basketball players.
One of the WNBA’s all-time greats is the face of a new partnership between Flexion Therapeutics and the National Basketball Retired Players Association to raise awareness about how to take care of oneself when encountering this medical ailment.
That all-time great is Sheryl Swoopes, four-time WNBA champion with the Houston Comets.
The new pact unveils Zilretta as a treatment option for osteoarthritis-related knee pain. Swoopes, according to a press release, is a Zilretta patient and is the first WNBA notable to participate in the awareness campaign.
The release mentions Swoopes being treated by an orthopedic surgeon at Woodlands Sports Medicine Center. The surgeon also chairs orthopedic surgery at Memorial Hermann Woodlands Medical Center in the Houston metropolitan area.
I fully understand the way OA knee pain can impact your life in every aspect, not just physically but mentally. To be able to tell my story and share the results of what can be done with treatment with my colleagues, friends, former players and family is very important. This partnership will not only help many of the athletes who have played in the NBA and WNBA, but it will serve to raise awareness for thousands who may be suffering in silence.
–Sheryl Swoopes, four-time WNBA champion (release)
There is no better, more engaged advocated for those suffering OA knee pain and no stronger advocate to speak to the benefits of Zilretta than Sheryl. We look forward to growing this relationship in the coming months to be one of our most inclusive and informative to date.
–Scott Rochelle, NBRPA Executive Director (release)
As one of the most exceptional women athletes of all time, a hall of famer, and three-time Olympic gold medalist, Sheryl knows about pushing the limits physically, and we are very please that she has finally found the much-needed relief from her OA knee pain with Zilretta.
–Michael Clayman, M.D., President and CEO, Flexion (release)
