Is Arthrosamid Injection the Right Knee Pain Treatment for You? Candidates, Safety and Effectiveness
If knee pain is limiting your walking, exercise, sleep, or day-to-day confidence, it is natural to look for options beyond tablets and physiotherapy. Many people with knee osteoarthritis reach a point where standard treatments do not provide enough relief, but surgery feels too soon or is not ideal for their health, work, or lifestyle.
Arthrosamid injection is a newer option used for symptom management in knee osteoarthritis. It is designed to provide longer-lasting support inside the joint using a hydrogel, rather than short-term anti-inflammatory effects. This article explains who may be a suitable candidate, how clinicians typically assess suitability, what the evidence suggests, and how to think about safety and outcomes in a realistic way.
This guide is for education and does not replace medical advice. A clinician must assess your knee and your overall health before any injection treatment is recommended.
What is Arthrosamid injection?
Arthrosamid is an intra-articular hydrogel injection used for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. It is a polyacrylamide hydrogel made mainly of water, commonly described as 97.5% sterile water and 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide.
It is not a steroid, and it does not work by suppressing inflammation in the same way. Instead, it is intended to integrate with the lining of the joint and help improve cushioning and shock absorption.
In April 2021, Arthrosamid received a CE mark as a medical device for symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis, following a 12-month prospective open-label study reported by the manufacturer.
Who is Arthrosamid injection for?
Clinicians generally discuss Arthrosamid injection for adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis where pain and function remain a problem despite appropriate conservative care.
You may be considered a stronger candidate if you have:
- Knee pain and stiffness consistent with osteoarthritis
- Symptoms that have persisted for months despite physiotherapy, strengthening, and activity modification
- Ongoing pain that affects walking, stairs, exercise, or daily tasks
- Imaging (often X-ray) that supports osteoarthritis, where appropriate
- A preference for non-surgical knee pain treatment in the UK, or a plan to delay surgery
In research settings, Arthrosamid has been studied in people with radiographic knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2 to 4) who had significant symptoms.
Who may not be suitable?
A clinician will usually rule out conditions where a joint injection is unsafe or unlikely to help. Arthrosamid injection may not be appropriate if you have:
- Suspected or confirmed joint infection
- Significant unexplained swelling, redness, fever, or severe warmth in the knee
- Predominantly inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis), unless a specialist advises otherwise
- A different main cause of pain such as hip arthritis, nerve pain from the back, or an acute injury that needs another treatment pathway
Suitability is individual. Even with osteoarthritis, a careful assessment is essential because knee pain can have more than one contributing factor.
How do clinicians decide if Arthrosamid is right for you?
A good assessment usually includes four parts.
1) Confirming the diagnosis
A clinician will look for features typical of osteoarthritis, such as activity-related pain, stiffness after rest, and reduced function. Imaging may be used to support the diagnosis when needed.
2) Understanding your symptom pattern
Some people have pain mainly from inflammatory flare-ups, while others have more mechanical pain driven by joint structure and load. This distinction matters because different injections target different mechanisms.
3) Reviewing what you have already tried
Arthrosamid is usually considered after evidence-based conservative options, such as:
- Structured physiotherapy and strengthening
- Weight management where relevant
- Activity modifications and pacing
- Appropriate analgesia strategies
4) Setting realistic goals
The goal is usually improved function and reduced pain so that you can walk, exercise, and manage daily life better. It is not a cure for osteoarthritis.
How is Arthrosamid given?
Arthrosamid is injected into the knee joint using sterile technique. Many clinics use ultrasound guidance to support accuracy, especially when joint anatomy is complex or when previous injections have not worked.
In clinical studies, Arthrosamid has been evaluated as a single intra-articular injection, often described as 6 mL of polyacrylamide hydrogel.
The procedure is usually done as an outpatient appointment. You normally go home the same day.
What should you expect after the injection?
A key point is that Arthrosamid is not designed as an immediate painkiller. Some people may feel improvement earlier, but many notice changes gradually.
What can be normal in the short term:
- Temporary soreness or stiffness in the knee
- Mild swelling for a short period
- A gradual improvement over weeks rather than days
If you experience severe pain, fever, increasing redness, or you feel unwell after any joint injection, you should seek urgent medical advice because infection, while uncommon, is a serious complication for any injection procedure.
How effective is Arthrosamid for knee osteoarthritis?
The most commonly cited clinical evidence includes a 52-week prospective open-label study of intra-articular polyacrylamide hydrogel in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, reporting improvements in pain and function measures through 52 weeks after a single injection.
It is important to interpret these findings correctly:
- Open-label studies can show meaningful patient-reported improvements, but they are not the same as placebo-controlled trials.
- Results vary between individuals, and not everyone responds.
- Severity of osteoarthritis, body weight, activity demands, biomechanics, and co-existing conditions can influence outcomes.
The UK Health Research Authority summary also describes Arthrosamid as being shown to be safe and effective in studies, and notes that conservative care in the NHS currently relies heavily on steroid injections with shorter-term benefit.
How safe is Arthrosamid injection?
All intra-articular knee injections share some baseline risks, such as:
- Infection (rare but serious)
- Bleeding or bruising at the injection site
- Post-injection flare, including temporary swelling and pain
In published reporting of polyacrylamide hydrogel injection in knee osteoarthritis, the authors concluded that the intervention showed persistent benefits and safety through 52 weeks in the studied population.
Arthrosamid’s composition is described as a hydrogel mainly made of sterile water with cross-linked polyacrylamide, and it is intended to remain stable in the joint rather than being absorbed quickly.
As with any medical treatment, safety depends on correct diagnosis, appropriate patient selection, sterile technique, and clear aftercare.
Arthrosamid vs steroid injections and hyaluronic acid injections
People often compare Arthrosamid injection with steroid injections and hyaluronic acid injections.
Steroid injections
Steroid injections can reduce pain for a period that ranges from weeks to months, depending on the person and the condition being treated. NHS patient leaflets commonly note that relief can last “a few weeks to many months” and also advise limits on repeat injections, often not more than three times per year in the same joint.
Steroids can be useful for short-term flare-ups, but they are generally not positioned as a long-term structural solution.
Hyaluronic acid injections
In the UK, hyaluronic acid injections are not routinely commissioned in many NHS pathways for osteoarthritis, reflecting concerns about cost-effectiveness and variable benefit at population level.
Where Arthrosamid fits
Arthrosamid is often discussed as a longer-acting option for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, especially where patients want a non-surgical approach and are looking for an alternative to repeated short-term injections.
Is Arthrosamid injection available in the UK and London?
Arthrosamid injection is available in the UK, typically through specialist private services. NHS research summaries note that, within NHS conservative pathways, steroid injections are currently the standard injection option, with Arthrosamid being studied and evaluated.
If you are searching for arthrosamid injection london or arthrosamid injection near me, prioritise clinics that:
- Are medically led, with clinicians experienced in musculoskeletal diagnosis
- Use appropriate imaging where clinically indicated
- Offer image-guided injection when suitable
- Provide transparent aftercare instructions and follow-up
- Explain both benefits and limitations clearly, without guaranteed outcomes
What about arthrosamid injection cost in the UK?
Many patients search for arthrosamid injection cost or arthrosamid injection cost uk. Pricing varies between clinics and usually depends on what is included, such as:
- Consultant assessment and diagnosis
- Imaging guidance (for example ultrasound guidance)
- The injection product itself
- Follow-up review and aftercare support
For medical accuracy and transparency, it is best practice to request an itemised written quote from the provider rather than relying on generalised online numbers.
How to maximise results if you have Arthrosamid injection
Injections tend to work best when combined with a long-term knee plan. This often includes:
- Strengthening the quadriceps, glutes, and calf muscles
- Gait and biomechanics assessment where appropriate
- Weight management support if weight is contributing to joint load
- Activity progression, pacing, and a return-to-movement plan
Arthrosamid is a symptom management tool. The best outcomes usually come from pairing symptom relief with joint support strategies.
FAQs
Is Arthrosamid injection a cure for knee osteoarthritis?
No. It is a symptomatic treatment intended to reduce pain and improve function. It does not reverse osteoarthritis or regrow cartilage.
How long does Arthrosamid injection take to work?
Many patients describe gradual improvement over several weeks. Evidence from an open-label study reported outcomes through 52 weeks after a single injection, but individual response varies.
How long does Arthrosamid last?
Studies and research summaries report sustained benefits over extended follow-up in many participants, including 12-month reporting. However, not everyone responds, and duration can vary depending on osteoarthritis severity and individual factors.
Is Arthrosamid safer than steroid injections?
They have different risk profiles and different purposes. Steroid injections can provide short-term relief, but NHS guidance typically limits repeat injections in a year in the same joint. Arthrosamid has published 52-week safety reporting in an open-label study. Your clinician should advise based on your medical history and diagnosis.
Who is a good candidate for Arthrosamid injection?
Adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis who still have pain despite appropriate conservative management may be considered. Research populations included people with radiographic osteoarthritis and significant symptoms. A clinician must confirm suitability.
Can Arthrosamid injection replace knee replacement surgery?
It is not a replacement for surgery. It may help some people manage symptoms and potentially delay surgery, but it cannot stop osteoarthritis progression. Your clinician should discuss the overall treatment pathway with you.
Read More: What Is Arthrosamid Injection?
Arthrosamid Injection vs Steroid and Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Pain