Arthrosamid injection: A new treatment for osteoarthritis

Arthrosamid injections represent a promising new approach for managing osteoarthritis (OA), particularly for those with knee osteoarthritis seeking non-surgical pain relief. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, affects millions globally and can cause persistent pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility as joint cartilage gradually wears down.

What is Arthrosamid®?

Arthrosamid® is a cutting-edge injectable hydrogel that delivers long-lasting, proven pain relief for knee OA — improving your quality of life without surgery. Arthrosamid® is administered via a simple, one-step procedure performed under local anaesthesia ensuring you’re in and out of the clinic the same day.

What is knee osteoarthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a long-term condition where the shock-absorbing cartilage is worn away causing bones to rub together and the joint to become stiff, swollen and painful. The knee joint worsens over time resulting in synovial pain and disability. 

Synovial pain (synovitis)

Synovial pain is a common symptom experienced by patients with knee OA. This is caused by the inflammation of synovial tissue (the lining) located inside the knee joint, and is strongly linked with the level of pain experienced by knee OA patients, there is also strong evidence that synovial pain is associated with further worsening of OA.

What is synovial tissue and where can it be found?

Synovial tissue lines the inside of the synovial joint capsule. In the knee, the synovial tissue seals the synovial cavity, maintains the synovial fluid and helps with chondrocyte nutrition (cells responsible for cartilage formation) and subchondral bone (bone that sits underneath cartilage). 

How does Arthrosamid® work?

Arthrosamid® is a hydrogel made up of 2.5 per cent cross-linked polyacrylamide and 97.5 per cent water. Arthrosamid® combines with the synovial tissue in the knee to form a permanent scaffold, and it’s this unique characteristic that provides a significant reduction in OA pain over a longer period - with one single treatment.

Why choose Arthrosamid®?

No therapies have been able to satisfactorily halt or delay OA progression or provide effective, long-lasting symptomatic relief for patients with knee OA. So, until now, treatments have tended to focus on pain relief and the management of symptoms through weight loss, exercise and physiotherapy, walking aids, footwear and insoles, knee braces, oral pain relief medication, viscosupplement hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, and — when these therapies fail — joint replacement/knee surgery. 

What are the benefits?

Unlike with HA injectables — where there is very little evidence to show that the effect is still noticeable at six months — Arthrosamid® provides a signifi cant reduction in your knee OA pain over a longer period with one single treatment. Treatment with Arthrosamid® is a simple, one-step out-patient procedure — which doesn’t involve the disruptive recovery period usually associated with surgery.

What should I expect in the long-term, following treatment with Arthrosamid®?

Supported by more than two decades of research, Arthrosamid® is suitable, safe and effective for any patient with knee OA — and is proven to maintain a significant, long-lasting reduction in knee OA pain even four years post-treatment.

When will I begin to feel less pain?

You are can feel some pain relief within 24 hours; however, it can take four to twelve weeks to feel the maximum benefit. Clinical data shows that most patients start to feel an effect within a few weeks.

When can I go back to normal activity?

As with any invasive joint procedure, it is recommended to avoid strenuous activity (e.g. tennis, jogging or long walks) during the first few weeks after the injection and begin rehabilitation activities when possible.