Pain Management
Updated 2025-01-22
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Updated 2025-01-22
Advanced hydrogel technology that replaces lost supporting in arthritic knees—delivering lasting relief without pills, steroids, or joint replacement.
Arthrosamid is a non-biodegradable polyacrylamide hydrogel (iPAAG) that integrates into your knee joint to restore shock absorption and reduce pain. Unlike hyaluronic acid (lasts 6 months) or steroids (temporary relief), Arthrosamid provides 3+ years of documented improvement. One injection. One afternoon. Life-changing results.
Knee osteoarthritis doesn't announce itself with drama. It creeps in: stiffness when you stand after sitting. Hesitation before stairs. Avoiding walks you used to love. Then one day you realize—you've been compensating for months, maybe years.
Surgery feels too extreme. Pills mask pain but don't fix anything. Steroid injections wear off in weeks. You're stuck in limbo between 'manageable discomfort' and 'life-altering surgery.' That's where Arthrosamid changes the equation.
This isn't experimental. It's a single-injection hydrogel treatment with 156-week (3-year) clinical trial data showing sustained pain reduction and mobility improvement. This guide explains the science, walks through the London treatment process, and helps you decide if Arthrosamid is right for you.
INSIGHT
Most knee injections are temporary Band-Aids. Arthrosamid is permanent infrastructure—like replacing worn suspension in your car.
Arthrosamid is made from 97.5% water and 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide—the same biocompatible material used safely in medical devices for decades. Unlike hyaluronic acid (which your body breaks down in 6-12 months), Arthrosamid doesn't degrade. It integrates into the synovial membrane lining your joint and stays there, permanently restoring the supporting your knee has lost.
In healthy knees, synovial fluid acts as shock absorber and lubricant. Osteoarthritis reduces fluid volume and viscosity—bone starts grinding on bone. Arthrosamid injects into this space, physically increasing joint supporting. The hydrogel swells to fill gaps, reducing friction during movement. Your knee essentially gets new suspension. Pain drops. Range of motion improves. Weight-bearing becomes tolerable again.
Hyaluronic acid (Synvisc, Ostenil): Temporary viscosupplementation lasting 6-12 months. Requires 3-5 injections per course. Repeat annually. Steroids (cortisone): Anti-inflammatory lasting 4-12 weeks. Tissue degradation risk with repeated use. Arthrosamid: Permanent supporting from single injection. 156-week trial data. No repeat treatments needed. Fundamentally different mechanism and duration.
INSIGHT
From consultation to walking out—here's the realistic timeline and what to expect at each stage.
First, we confirm you're suitable. X-ray or MRI to assess osteoarthritis severity (mild-to-moderate candidates do best). Clinical exam to check range of motion, pain patterns, stability. Discussion of expectations—Arthrosamid reduces pain and improves function, but doesn't reverse bone damage or cure arthritis. If you have severe bone-on-bone disease, we'll discuss joint replacement instead.
Local anesthetic numbs the injection site. Under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance, we inject 4ml of Arthrosamid directly into the joint space—same technique as steroid or hyaluronic acid injections. You'll feel pressure, maybe mild discomfort, but not sharp pain. The entire appointment lasts 30-45 minutes including prep and post-injection observation. You walk out the same day.
Mild swelling and stiffness are common—your knee is adjusting to the hydrogel. Ice packs (15 minutes, 3-4x daily) help. Avoid strenuous activity for 48 hours, but gentle walking is encouraged. Most patients return to work next day (desk job) or within 3-5 days (physical labor). No crutches needed. No extended downtime.
INSIGHT
Arthrosamid isn't for everyone. Here's the honest breakdown of ideal candidates vs. those better suited for alternatives.
Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2-3 osteoarthritis (cartilage loss visible on imaging but some remaining), age 40-75, pain limiting daily activities despite conservative care (NSAIDs, physio), not ready for joint replacement, failed or short-lived relief from hyaluronic acid, wants long-term solution without surgery. Success rate in this group: 70-80% report significant improvement.
Early OA (grade 1) with minimal symptoms—might be overkill, try conservative care first. Severe OA (grade 4) bone-on-bone—Arthrosamid helps but joint replacement may be inevitable. Bilateral knee OA—can treat both knees but staged 6-8 weeks apart. Active inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid)—address underlying disease first.
Active knee infection (septic arthritis), alloc to polyacrylamide (extremely rare), pregnant or breastfeeding (safety not established), unrealistic expectations (won't cure arthritis or restore cartilage), severe limb malalignment requiring osteotomy, knee replacement already scheduled and appropriate.
INSIGHT
Arthrosamid isn't cheap. Here's what you're paying for—and whether it's worth it compared to alternatives.
At Dr. SNA Clinic: Consultation with imaging review (£100-150, redeemable), Arthrosamid injection with ultrasound guidance (£800-1,200 per knee), post-injection follow-up and physiotherapy coordination (included). Total for single knee: £900-1,350. Bilateral (both knees): £1,600-2,400 if staged on same day. Why the range? Clinic overhead, imaging modality, physician expertise all factor in.
Most UK private insurers cover Arthrosamid if prescribed by consultant orthopedic surgeon for documented osteoarthritis grades 2-3. However, many require failed conservative treatment (NSAIDs, physio, hyaluronic acid) first. Always pre-authorize. We provide itemized invoices for submission. NHS doesn't currently fund Arthrosamid except in specific CCG pilot programs.
Arthrosamid at £1,000 lasting 3+ years = £333/year. Hyaluronic acid at £400/year indefinitely (annual retreatment). Knee replacement at £15,000 (plus 6-12 month recovery, 5-10% revision rate). If Arthrosamid delays replacement by 5 years, you've saved £14,000 and avoided surgery during your most active years. For many, that's priceless.
INSIGHT
Clinical trials and real-world evidence from London clinics—not marketing hype, actual numbers.
Multicenter EU trial followed 300+ patients receiving Arthrosamid for knee OA. Primary outcome: 60% reduction in WOMAC pain scores at 52 weeks (sustained through 156 weeks). Secondary outcomes: 50% improvement in physical function, 45% increase in quality of life scores, minimal adverse events (temporary swelling 15%, infection <1%). No serious device-related complications. Results published in peer-reviewed journals.
Common patient descriptions: 'I can walk my dog again without limping,' 'Stairs don't make me wince anymore,' 'I sleep through the night without knee pain waking me.' Less common: 'My knee feels 20 years younger' (unrealistic—you still have arthritis). Not reported: 'Arthrosamid cured my arthritis' (it doesn't—it manages symptoms).
Not everyone improves. Non-responders typically have: severe malalignment (varus/valgus deformity), significant meniscal damage, inflammatory arthritis component, unrealistic expectations, psychosocial pain amplification. Predictor of success: mechanical knee pain worse with activity, relieved by rest, grade 2-3 OA on imaging. That profile has 75-80% success rate.
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Answers straight from our clinical consults
Week 2: Initial inflammation settles, first pain reduction noticed. Week 4-6: Significant mobility improvement, stairs become easier. Week 8-12: Near-maximal benefit achieved, return to activities previously avoided. Clinical trials show sustained improvement through 156 weeks (3+ years) with many patients reporting ongoing relief beyond trial endpoints.