Arthrosamid Injection

Arthrosamid Injection vs Steroid and Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Pain

15 February 2026

9 min read

Knee osteoarthritis is a common cause of ongoing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Many people begin with physiotherapy, weight management, and pain relief, then move on to injections if symptoms continue. The challenge is that not all injections work in the same way, and the best option depends on your diagnosis, symptom pattern, and treatment goals.

This comparison explains how arthrosamid injection, steroid injections, and hyaluronic acid injections differ, what the evidence and UK guidance generally say, and how to discuss the right choice with a clinician. It is written for patients researching knee pain treatment UK options, including those looking for arthrosamid injection near me or arthrosamid injection london.

Quick comparison at a glance

Option	Main purpose	Typical onset	Typical duration	Key notes
Steroid injection	Reduce inflammation and pain	Often quick	Weeks to a few months	Usually short-term relief, repeat frequency is limited
Hyaluronic acid injection	“Viscosupplementation” to improve joint lubrication	Variable	Variable	Not routinely recommended in UK national guidance for OA
Arthrosamid injection	Long-acting hydrogel to improve cushioning inside the joint	Gradual	Designed for longer-term symptom relief	Non-absorbable hydrogel, used for symptomatic knee OA

Steroid effects and general timelines are supported by UK NHS information.
UK commissioning and NICE-linked guidance documents often advise against routine hyaluronan injections for osteoarthritis.
Arthrosamid’s intended use and dosing are described in manufacturer and clinical materials, and clinical follow-up has been reported in peer-reviewed and conference publications.

What knee injections can and cannot do

Before comparing treatments, it helps to set realistic expectations.

What injections can do

Reduce pain and improve function for a period of time
Help you engage more comfortably with rehab, strengthening, and activity changes
Potentially delay escalation to surgical options for some patients

What injections cannot do

Reverse osteoarthritis or regrow cartilage
Guarantee long-term relief for everyone
Replace the value of exercise, strength, weight optimisation, and activity modification where relevant

If your pain is caused by something other than osteoarthritis, such as an acute meniscal tear, inflammatory arthritis, infection, or referred pain from the hip or back, injection choice may be different. A proper diagnosis matters.

Steroid injections for knee osteoarthritis

Steroid injections (corticosteroids) are commonly used for knee pain where inflammation is contributing to symptoms, especially during flare-ups.

How steroids work

Steroids are anti-inflammatory medicines. When injected into the joint, they can reduce synovial inflammation and therefore reduce pain.

How quickly do they work and how long do they last?

UK patient resources commonly describe steroid injections as working quickly and easing pain for several weeks or months, with some NHS materials noting relief up to around 3 months in some cases.

Key limitations and safety considerations

Relief is often temporary, especially in more advanced osteoarthritis.
Repeat injections are usually limited. Some NHS hospital guidance advises not usually giving more than three injections into the same joint in a year, and notes that repeated injections over time may contribute to tissue or cartilage concerns.
As with any joint injection, there is a small infection risk.

When steroids may be a sensible option

Sudden flare-ups with swelling and inflammation
Need for short-term symptom control to progress with physiotherapy
Situations where rapid pain reduction is the main priority

Hyaluronic acid injections for knee osteoarthritis

Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally present in joint fluid. Injections are intended to improve lubrication and reduce friction, sometimes called viscosupplementation.

What UK guidance often says

In the UK, hyaluronan injections are commonly not routinely recommended or commissioned for osteoarthritis management in several NHS commissioning documents, reflecting national guideline positions. For example, policy documents referencing NICE guidance state “do not offer intra-articular hyaluronan injections for the management of osteoarthritis.”

This does not mean hyaluronic acid never helps anyone. It means that at a population level, evidence and cost-effectiveness have not supported routine use in standard pathways.

Why outcomes can be variable

Product type, injection technique, and patient selection vary
Osteoarthritis severity and inflammation levels influence response
Some patients report benefit, others report little change

When it may still be discussed

Some clinicians may discuss hyaluronic acid in specific circumstances, often in private care, but it is important to understand the UK evidence and funding context before proceeding.

Arthrosamid injection for knee osteoarthritis

Arthrosamid injection is an intra-articular injectable hydrogel (polyacrylamide hydrogel). It is designed to provide long-lasting cushioning support within the joint rather than short-term anti-inflammatory effects.

What Arthrosamid is

Arthrosamid is described as a non-absorbable, biocompatible hydrogel intended for symptomatic treatment of adult knee osteoarthritis. The commonly referenced dose is 6 mL injected into the knee joint.

How it works

Arthrosamid is intended to integrate with the synovial lining and improve joint cushioning. This is a mechanical and structural approach rather than a drug effect that “wears off” quickly. Clinical and patient materials describe ultrasound guidance being used in some cases to support accurate placement.

What the evidence suggests so far

Peer-reviewed reporting and conference abstracts have described improvements in knee osteoarthritis pain and function measures at 12 months and in longer follow-up reporting.
The UK Health Research Authority summary notes that Arthrosamid has been shown to be safe and effective with benefits lasting beyond two years in the majority, while also noting that biological pathways are still being studied.

It is important to interpret longer-term outcomes carefully:

Study designs differ (open-label versus controlled trials)
Severity of osteoarthritis varies between study populations
Real-world outcomes depend on patient selection and diagnosis accuracy

Who may be a candidate

Arthrosamid injection is generally discussed for:

Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
Persistent pain despite appropriate conservative management
Patients wanting a non-surgical option, or aiming to delay surgery

A clinician should rule out infection, inflammatory arthritis, and other causes of knee pain before recommending intra-articular treatments.

Arthrosamid vs steroid injections

Best for

Steroids: short-term relief, inflammatory flare-ups
Arthrosamid: longer-term symptom management where mechanical joint changes drive pain

Speed of effect

Steroids often work faster.
Arthrosamid is commonly described as a more gradual improvement over weeks.

How long it may last

Steroids: often weeks to months, sometimes up to around 3 months in NHS decision aids.
Arthrosamid: designed for longer-term effect, with 12-month outcomes in peer-reviewed reporting and longer follow-up discussed in conference abstracts and UK research summaries.

Repeat injections

Steroid repeats are usually limited, with NHS hospital guidance commonly advising no more than three per year in a single joint.
Arthrosamid is positioned as a single-injection treatment approach in many materials.

Arthrosamid Injection vs hyaluronic acid injections

A key difference is the UK guidance context. Hyaluronic acid injections are often not recommended routinely in commissioning guidance linked to national recommendations.

Arthrosamid is a different type of injection (hydrogel rather than viscosupplementation), with published clinical follow-up describing sustained improvements in pain and function measures at 52 weeks in an open-label study and longer follow-up discussed in conference abstracts.

If you are choosing between these options privately, your clinician should explain:

Why they believe you are likely to respond
What the evidence says for your severity level
What alternative options remain if you do not respond

Practical decision guide for patients

If your priority is fastest short-term relief

A steroid injection may be considered, especially for flare-ups, with the understanding that relief is often temporary and repeat frequency is limited.

If you are exploring longer-term symptom management without surgery

Arthrosamid injection may be discussed as an option for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, particularly when conservative measures have not been enough.

If you are considering hyaluronic acid privately

Ask specifically about UK guidance and expected benefit, because routine use is not widely supported in national guidance-linked policies.

Cost considerations in the UK

Many patients search for arthrosamid injection cost or arthrosamid injection cost uk because these treatments are often accessed privately. Pricing can vary by clinic, location, consultation needs, imaging guidance (such as ultrasound), and aftercare.

A safe way to discuss cost in medical content is to avoid quoting numbers unless they are published by the provider you are referencing. Instead, patients should ask for a written quote that includes:

Consultation and assessment
Imaging guidance (if used)
The injection itself
Follow-up plan and what happens if symptoms do not improve

This also supports transparent decision-making.

What to ask your clinician before any injection

Bring these questions to your appointment, whether you are seeking arthrosamid injection near me or exploring options in London:

What is the most likely diagnosis causing my pain?
What severity is my osteoarthritis and how does that affect my options?
What improvement is realistic in pain, function, and activity?
What are the risks, including infection risk and post-injection flare?
What is the aftercare plan and when should I seek urgent help?
How will this fit with physiotherapy and long-term strengthening?

Choosing the right knee injection is about matching the treatment to the problem. Steroid injections can be helpful for short-term relief, particularly in flare-ups, but their effect often fades within weeks or months and repeat use is usually limited.
Hyaluronic acid injections have variable outcomes and are not routinely recommended in UK guidance-linked commissioning documents for osteoarthritis.
Arthrosamid injection is a different option, using a long-acting hydrogel approach designed for longer-term symptomatic management of knee osteoarthritis, with published follow-up reporting improvements in pain and function measures and ongoing research in the UK

FAQs

Is Arthrosamid injection better than a steroid injection?

Not always. Steroids can be useful for short-term relief, especially during inflammatory flare-ups, but benefits often last weeks to months.
Arthrosamid injection is positioned for longer-term symptom management in knee osteoarthritis and may suit different patients and goals.

How long do steroid injections last in the knee?

Many NHS resources state steroid injections can ease pain for several weeks or months, and some decision aids mention pain reduction up to around three months.

Why are hyaluronic acid injections not routinely recommended in the UK?

Multiple UK commissioning documents referencing national guidance state that intra-articular hyaluronan injections are not recommended for routine osteoarthritis management, reflecting concerns about overall evidence and cost-effectiveness.

Is Arthrosamid injection available in the UK?

Yes, it is offered in specialist clinics in the UK, typically in private settings. UK research and patient-facing materials describe it as a symptomatic treatment option for adult knee osteoarthritis.

Does Arthrosamid cure knee osteoarthritis?

No. Arthrosamid injection is intended to manage symptoms, such as pain and function, not to reverse osteoarthritis or regenerate cartilage.

What is Arthrosamid injection cost in the UK?

Costs vary by provider and what is included. If you are researching arthrosamid injection cost uk, ask for an itemised quote covering assessment, imaging guidance (if used), the injection, and follow-up.

How do I find Arthrosamid injection near me?

Look for a medically led service that routinely assesses knee osteoarthritis, offers image-guided joint injections where appropriate, and provides clear aftercare and realistic expectations. In the UK, you can also use trusted sources like NHS information pages for general osteoarthritis guidance while discussing treatment options with a clinician.