A GOLF captain is able to walk again without limping or being in chronic pain after undergoing a new type of treatment.

Linda Skilton, from Crowthorne, underwent the procedure for osteoarthritis of the knee at Royal Berkshire Hospital.

She was diagnosed with the condition in May 2016 and experienced swelling a limited mobility as a result.

The 65-year-old volunteered for the study after she was told about it by her orthopaedic surgeon.

She said: “I was given cortisone injections, which made it settle for a while, but it flared up again a year later when I was using some equipment at the gym.

“For the past couple of years, I haven’t been able stand for too long because it got so sore and swollen and I couldn’t keep it bent or straight for any length of time either, which made sleeping difficult.

“The pain in my knee has had an impact on everything I do; household chores, as well as my regular games of golf.

"The problem has even had an impact on my choral singing, as we’re required to regularly stand and sit when rehearsing and performing.”

The East Berkshire Golf Club captain took part in the study, which was the first to use this new technique for osteoarthritis pain in Europe.

The treatment, called geniculate artery embolisation, involves injecting plastic beads through a catheter.

Before the procedure, she said had started to feel 'vulnerable' and found the constant pain was preventing her from enjoying time with her six grandchildren.

She added: “Since the procedure, I can feel day-to-day that my knee is improving. I can easily walk up the stairs for the first time in years. I’m delighted with the outcome.”

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting nearly nine million people in the UK.

Dr Mark Little, who is leading the study, said: “Linda is clearly very active and if we can keep her playing golf, then that will have a profound impact on her social interactions with friends, improve her happiness, and wellbeing, and give her back her independence.”