Immediate Release | 25 August 2026
Facing severe knee pain from osteoarthritis and a recommendation for total knee replacement, 53-year-old correctional official Bhekumuzi Andrias Miya feared his lifelong goal of earning a Comrades Marathon double green number was over. Instead, under the care of specialist Dr G.H. Bayes, Miya returned to the road and completed his 20th Comrades Marathon, entirely pain-free.
Miya, who has run ultras since 2003, began suffering severe joint pain in 2019. Despite heavy reliance on supplements and strong analgesics, his condition deteriorated. “An orthopaedic specialist recommended knee replacement surgery,” recalls Miya. “I thought my dream was shattered.”
A referral led Miya to Dr G.H. Bayes,an Orthopaedic Surgeon. On 26 March 2026, Dr Bayes diagnosed Miya with advanced osteoarthritis and designed a targeted, non-surgical treatment plan.
To manage immediate inflammation, Miya received initial cortisone injection before receiving Monovisc on 14 April 2026. Distributed in South Africa by Anstem Medical, Monovisc is a single-injection, high-viscosity hyaluronic acid (HA) viscosupplement that restores and supports natural cushioning and lubrication inside the joint, delivering up to six months of mobility and osteoarthritic pain relief without daily medication.
The treatment transformed Miya’s recovery. On 14 June 2026, he lined up for the Comrades Marathon and crossed the finish line to claim his 20th medal and coveted double green number. “I did not suffer any knee pain during the race,” says Miya. “To finish my 20th Comrades without that pain felt unbelievable. This treatment gave me back my running.”
Miya’s success highlights a growing shift toward in-office joint preservation for active individuals and chronic osteoarthritis sufferers alike.
Administered safely in a doctor’s practice, in-office HA treatments help patients avoid steep secondary hospital expenses, such as facility fees, general anaesthesia, and recovery stays. Furthermore, eligible Discovery Health members may access reimbursement for these treatments via applicable in-hospital benefits, keeping care accessible without draining day-to-day Medical Savings Accounts.
For patients requiring rapid initial relief alongside long-term joint protection, Anstem Medical also offers Cingal, a dual-action injection combining high-molecular-weight HA with a fast-acting corticosteroid to tackle acute pain and joint degradation simultaneously.
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Media Contact:
Anneke Burns
Strategic Communications Specialist for Anstem Medical
0714230079
anneke@abpr.co.za
About Anstem Medical
Anstem Medical is a South African healthcare company specialising in the supply of medical equipment, consumables, and cost-effective soft-tissue surgical solutions. Through an adaptive portfolio of arthroscopic sportsmedicine and soft-tissue repair products, Anstem enables surgeons to tailor treatment pathways to the specific needs of each patient. Driven by a deep commitment to accessibility and fairness in care, the company partners closely with medical practitioners to reduce procedure costs, expand treatment options, and keep people living healthy, active lives for as long as possible. By leveraging strong relationships with leading international manufacturers and an in-depth understanding of the South African healthcare landscape, Anstem Medical rapidly brings innovative, high-quality technologies to market, empowering clinicians and improving outcomes for patients who might otherwise be priced out of life-changing interventions.
For more information visit www.anstemmedical.co.za