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Arthrosamid Knee Injection in London

Arthrosamid injections are a new type of treatment for knee osteoarthritis. This is an alternative injectable treatment to Hyaluronic acid, PRP or cortisone injections.  Arthrosamid is a non-biodegradable hydrogel. When injected into the knee Arthrosamid cushions the joint and reduces pain, providing safe and sustained relief, all with one injection. If you are suffering with pain stiffness and swelling in your knee, an Arthrosamid injection may help prevent having to have joint replacement surgery imminently.
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What is Arthrosamid?

Arthrosamid is an innovative non-biodegradable hydrogel that is 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide and 97.5% water. When injected into the knee inner joint cavity, it restores viscosity within the synovial fluid (joint fluid), improving lubrication and cushioning of the joint. Arthrosamid also integrates into the synovium (joint lining) of the inner joint capsule creating a cushion-like effect.

What are the benefits of Arthrosamid?

Arthrosamid works to cushion the joint and reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. It can reduce your pain, decrease stiffness, and help movement. It has been shown to be safe and can give long-acting pain relief in the treatment of knee arthritis.

Simple

Arthrosamid is injected into the knee joint with ultrasound-guidance. It is performed by an expert clinican used to performing hundereds of knee injections every year. Arthrosamid is injected with local anaesthetic so the procedure can be very comfortable.

Safe

Arthrosamid is safe for intended use and is biocompatible which allows it to integrate with the tissues in your knee. The overall safety profile of the hydrogel has undergone over two decades of research and development with approximately 1,000,000 hydrogel units used for various indications in the body.

Sustained

In clinical trials, patients reported a reduction in their pain levels by Week 4 after their injection. The reduction in pain was sustained over 156 weeks.

What should I expect with an Arthrosamid injection?

Your clinician will assess the knee and perform an ultrasound scan to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Once you have given consent and decided to proceed with the injection, you will be prescribed 2 antibiotic tablets to take on the day of the procedure to minimise any infection risk.

During the procedure you will be lying down with you knee slightly bent and the clinician will use the ultrasound scanner to guide the injection into the joint.

What to expect after having an Arthrosamid injection?

Occasionally you may feel a residual ache from having had the procedure. It is perfectly fine to take painkillers such as paracetamol, or use ice to help relieve any pain.Over the next few weeks, the Arthrosamid will start to integrate into the joint lining and you should start to feel a gradual reduction in your arthritis symptoms. We also recommend that you avoid strenuous activity of the affected area for a few days. Your clinician will provide specific advice on post injection care and rehabilitation, and you will also be sent post injection care information.

How many injections will I need?

Arthrosamid does not break down once in the joint. It integrates with the joint lining meaning it will remain a permanent feature. For that reason, Arthrosamid is a 1 injection treatment and research shows it can give up to 3 years of symptomatic relief from knee arthritis.

What are the risks and Possible side effects?

Post injection flare

A minority of people find a temporary increase in pain for 24-48 hours post injection. This is entirely normal and can be helped with paracetamol, rest and ice. We also suggest avoiding driving to/from your appointment, in case you have any post injection soreness.

Infection

Due to the nature of the needle breaking the skin, there is a very small; chance of infection (1:50, 000). All our injections are done using sterile equipment, with the upmost attention paid to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and safety. If the injected area becomes hot/swollen/painful, you should seek urgent medical attention.

I take other medicines. Can I still have an Arthrosamid injection?

The majority of patients will still be able to have an Arthrosamid injection if they take other medicines. There are a few exceptions that the clinician must first check before it is safe to proceed.  If you are taking a blood thinning drugs we will check the type and timing of your medication before any injection.

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FAQs:

Is the treatment painful?
The treatment involves an injection directly into the knee joint. This is performed in the clinic with you lying down. An ultrasound will be used to scan the knee to provide an image, this image will assist the practitioner to guide the needle into the knee from the outside of the thigh. We use this approach as it is the most comfortable way to guide the needle into the knee. We perform hundreds of injections into the knee, and for some procedures we do not need to use any local anaesthetic. Most patients will report a sharp sensation when the needle initially pierces the skin, then the rest of the procedure is usually uneventful. We can use local anaesthetic at the time of the procedure and we can use a numbing spray on the outside of the thigh before we inject. This may assist patients who are nervous about experiencing pain.
What is the cost of the treatment in the UK?
Arthrosamid injections can be expensive comparative to Steroid and even Hyaluronic Acid injections. Steroid injections may only last a few months whereas Hyaluronic Acid injections may give relief for up to 9-12 months. Arthrosamid injections are showing positive symptomatic relief for over 3 years. So comparatively Arthrosamid can be cost effective, particularly if you compare it to joint replacement. The cost of the Arthrosamid injection is £1995. You may need to have an initial consultation with one of the clinical specialists to assess if you this treatment is appropriate for you. The clinician will assess your medical history, scan the knee joint and prescribe some antibiotics in advance of the procedure and answer any questions you may have. The cost of an initial pre screening assessment is £130.
Can Arthrosamid delay joint replacement surgery?
If knee arthritis is preventing you staying active and affecting your quality of life then joint replacement should be considered. However, Arthrosamid is designed to give symptom relief from arthritis, and if your Arthrosamid procedure is successful, then yes it can delay the need for joint replacement surgery.
What are the differences between Hyaluronic Acid Injection vs Arthrosamid Injections?
Hyaluronic Acid is a substance present in joints in the body. It is degradable by the body so in time the injection of Hyaluronic acid will be processed and excreted. Therefore over time, the benefits of the Hyaluronic Acid injection may wear off. Generally Hyaluronic Acid injections can give 9-12 months of symptom relief in knee arthritis. Arthrosamid is a non biodegradable hydrogel, that means the body does not break it down and it remains a permanent feature in the knee joint. Arthrosamid is designed to integrate itself into the joint synovium (lining of the joint) and improve the cushioning and lubrication within the joint. It will not break down, so should give longer lasting relief than other injectable interventions. It will not affect future procedures like joint replacement should you end up progressing to that intervention.

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