At 57, Paul Martin does not want to stop working. In an ITV News Central report published and updated on October 9, 2026, this Briton from Leicester describes living with knee pain for ten years and having been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Owner of a fish and chip restaurant, he also works in security and funeral services.
To continue moving despite the pain, he purchased a robotic walking aid, presented as an exoskeleton. His story asks a simple question: What can you do when a painful knee threatens your entire active life? The story is striking, but it does not prove that the exoskeleton cures osteoarthritis.
Why did Paul Martin seek a walking aid?
According to ITV, Paul Martin runs the Millenium Fish Bar in Leicester. In addition to this activity, he also works as a security guard and works in funeral services. Three jobs that require you to remain active, upright and mobile over time.
However, osteoarthritis of the knee, or gonarthrosis, can gradually limit these actions. It often causes pain, stiffness, difficulty walking and loss of confidence in the joint. On True Medical, our file dedicated to knee osteoarthritis reminds us that this disease corresponds to a breakdown of the cartilage and that it can be painful and disabling.
In the report, Paul Martin explains that his pain compromises his daily life, but that he wants to remain active. It is in this context that he says he bought an exoskeleton, with a very concrete objective: continue to move and work.
Can a knee prosthesis be refused because one is “too young”?
Paul Martin claims that he was refused a knee prosthesis because he was too young. According to his account reported by ITV, he was asked to wait until he was at least 60 years old.
This statement must remain attributed to his personal testimony. ITV specifies that the NHS website does not specify a minimum age for this procedure. For its part, the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust points out that the treatment options for osteoarthritis depend on individual clinical needs: rehabilitation, pain management, lifestyle support and surgery when clinically appropriate. A knee prosthesis is therefore not decided on a single criterion. The NHS says it may be recommended when other treatments or lifestyle changes have not worked and the pain is affecting daily life.
In France, Health Insurance also reminds thatno treatment can cure knee osteoarthritisbut that its progression can be slowed down and its symptoms relieved. Surgery is considered when the knee osteoarthritis is very advanced and insufficiently relieved by medical treatment.
What does the exoskeleton really prove in this story?
In the case of Paul Martin, the exoskeleton is presented as a personal solution to help him walk and get through his days. It meets a need for mobility, in a situation where pain plays a major role.
But we must keep an important limit in mind: the report does not measure the therapeutic effectiveness of the device. It does not demonstrate that the exoskeleton cures osteoarthritis, that it avoids an operation, nor that it is suitable for all people with knee problems. It also does not provide information, on its own, about the safety or long-term functional benefit of this type of device.
For people affected by knee osteoarthritis, the challenge therefore remains to assess the situation with a medical team: intensity of pain, discomfort in activities, effectiveness of treatments, rehabilitation, weight, level of activity, other possible illnesses and patient expectations. The right solution is not necessarily the same for everyone.
Paul Martin’s story above all highlights a reality that is often underestimated: when pain sets in, preserving mobility becomes a concrete priority, sometimes even before talking about surgery. And this discussion must be done with clear medical benchmarks, without transforming an impressive testimony into a promise of treatment. The use of such aids should not be done without having explored other validated options and without speaking to your doctor or rheumatologist, in particular to check the absence of contraindications.