Arthrosamid hydrogel injections

Arthrosamid® is an innovative treatment for knee osteoarthritis. It is an injectable hydrogel that has proven effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain in the medium and long term.

At New Victoria Hospital, our trained Radiologists can administer Arthrosamid® injections under local anaesthesia during their clinics. Our friendly team will ensure you enjoy the highest standard of care with a thorough consultation and diagnostic examinations to assess whether you can benefit from Arthrosamid® injections.

What is Arthrosamid®?

Arthrosamid® is an injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel, known as '2.5 iPAAG', a synthetic water-soluble polymer. It is a water solution that contains 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide and it is the only injectable that binds to the knee synovial tissue, the connective tissue that lines the inside of the knee joint, responsible for producing the fluid that lubricates the joints and facilitates smooth pain-free movement.

By combining with the tissue lining, Arthrosamid® thickens the connective tissue and offers relief from OA pain for a longer period of time compared to hyaluronic acid injection treatments.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It is a condition that affects the cartilage, the synovial tissue that is progressively worn away causing bone friction and stiffness, ultimately leading to severe synovial pain and disability. Unfortunately, OA is not curable and more research is needed to understand its causes.

Since there are currently no treatments able to halt this pathology, therapies have been focused on pain management, including exercise, weight loss, hyaluronic acid injections and physiotherapy, as the first line of treatment. Normally, the level of pain is linked to the level of synovial inflammation. When pain management therapies are not sufficient, surgery, such as knee replacement, becomes the only treatment option.

Arthrosamid® is a cutting-edge treatment with long-lasting effects, even for patients with advanced knee OA allowing them to regain a good quality of life and avoid or postpone knee surgery.

Arthrosamid® at New Victoria Hospital

During your initial consultation with a Consultant Orthopaedic Knee Surgeon, a patient may be advised that Arthrosamid® is a valid option for their knee OA treatment. Some imaging diagnostic examinations might be required to assess the severity of the condition before a patient can be referred to our Consultant Radiologists for the hydrogel injection.

The Arthrosamid® injection can be performed as an outpatient procedure, and the patient can go home immediately after treatment.

Before treatment with Arthrosamid®, a local anaesthetic is injected for a pain-free procedure and a comfortable patient experience. Antibiotics might also be given to prevent any potential risk of infection.

Arthrosamid® is then injected into the knee’s synovial cavity, sometimes with the aid of an ultrasound scan. Arthrosamid® flows in the cavity with the synovial fluid and begins to bind to the synovial tissue.

Knee pain should improve within 24 hours and it can take up to 12 weeks for the patient to experience the full results.