Knee osteoarthritis can gradually limit the activities you enjoy, and while physiotherapy and lifestyle changes remain the foundation of treatment, some patients need additional support. Arthrosamid is a newer injectable option we offer at The Wright Practice for appropriately selected patients.
Arthrosamid works by integrating into the synovium, the lining of the knee joint, rather than simply coating the cartilage or temporarily reducing inflammation. Once injected, it forms a soft, stable scaffold within the joint lining that appears to help calm the synovium’s tendency to flare up and become inflamed, while also providing a cushioning effect. This is a different mechanism to both steroid injections, which reduce inflammation temporarily, and hyaluronic acid injections, which primarily add short-term lubrication.
Arthrosamid is used to manage the pain and stiffness of knee osteoarthritis, particularly for patients who have already tried physiotherapy and shorter-acting injections without lasting relief. Alongside pain relief, many patients notice:
Arthrosamid tends to suit patients with earlier or moderate-stage knee osteoarthritis whose symptoms persist despite good rehabilitation, and who are not yet ready for, or not suitable candidates for, knee replacement surgery. It may be less effective in advanced, end-stage disease, and is not appropriate for patients with active joint infection or certain other knee conditions. Dr Dan Wright will assess your knee, review any imaging, and discuss whether Arthrosamid is a sensible next step or whether another option would suit you better.
There is no single best injection for every patient. Steroid injections can be useful for calming an acute flare, hyaluronic acid may suit milder symptoms, and Arthrosamid tends to be considered when longer-lasting support is needed and other options have not given enough relief.
| Attribute | Steroid Injection | Hyaluronic Acid | Arthrosamid |
|---|---|---|---|
Mechanism | Reduces inflammation | Adds lubrication | Supports synovial lining |
Typical duration | Weeks to a few months | A few months | Reported benefit up to 1 to 2 years or more |
Repeat frequency | As needed, limited use | Often repeated | Single injection, occasionally repeated |
Best suited to | cute flare-ups | Mild to moderate OA | Persistent symptoms despite other treatment |
Arthrosamid is injected directly into the knee joint under ultrasound guidance, which allows precise placement within the joint space. The injection itself takes only a few minutes, and most patients can return to normal activities the same day, though some mild swelling, warmth or discomfort in the days afterwards is common and usually settles quickly.
Many patients begin to notice an improvement in pain and mobility within around four weeks of treatment. Clinical studies following patients for up to a year, and in some cases longer, have shown sustained improvements in pain and function, though individual results vary and Arthrosamid does not reverse the underlying joint damage of osteoarthritis.
Arthrosamid has a generally favourable safety profile in the research to date, with most side effects being mild and short-lived, such as swelling, warmth or stiffness around the knee after injection. Because the hydrogel remains in the joint rather than being absorbed by the body, it’s important to have a thorough assessment beforehand to confirm you are a suitable candidate, and to understand that this is a long-acting, largely non-reversible treatment.
Arthrosamid at The Wright Practice starts from £3995, which includes your assessment, the ultrasound-guided injection and a follow-up review. We will confirm exact pricing once we have assessed your knee and discussed your treatment plan.
Arthrosamid is an injectable hydrogel made from polyacrylamide and water that integrates into the lining of the knee joint. Unlike steroid or hyaluronic acid injections, it provides a longer-lasting scaffold that supports the joint and appears to help calm inflammatory flare-ups.
It tends to suit patients with earlier or moderate-stage knee osteoarthritis whose symptoms persist despite physiotherapy and other treatments, and who are not yet ready for surgery. A full assessment is needed to confirm whether it is the right option for your knee.
Many patients notice an improvement in pain and mobility within around four weeks of the injection. Results build gradually rather than appearing immediately, and we will discuss what to expect based on your individual situation.
The most commonly reported side effects are mild and short-lived, including swelling, warmth or stiffness around the knee in the days after injection. Serious complications are uncommon, though a thorough assessment beforehand helps confirm you are a suitable candidate.
Steroid injections reduce inflammation temporarily, hyaluronic acid adds short-term lubrication, and Arthrosamid works by integrating into the joint lining to provide longer-lasting support. Each option suits different patients and stages of osteoarthritis.
Arthrosamid is typically given as a single injection, with benefit reported for up to a year or more in clinical studies, and occasionally repeated if appropriate. Your clinician will advise on this based on how your knee responds.
Yes. A follow-up review is included to check how your knee is responding to treatment and to confirm whether any further support, such as physiotherapy, would be beneficial alongside it.
Arthrosamid treatment at The Wright Practice costs £3,995, including your assessment, prophylactic medication, ultrasound-guided injection and follow-up review.
Availability of Arthrosamid varies across the NHS and is not yet routinely offered in all areas. It is available privately at The Wright Practice following a musculoskeletal assessment.
We start with a full assessment of your knee, including your symptom history and any relevant imaging, before discussing whether Arthrosamid or another treatment is the most appropriate next step for you.
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