Living with knee osteoarthritis can make even simple daily activities feel like a challenge. Walking the dog, climbing stairs, exercising, or simply getting out of a chair can become painful and frustrating. While many people manage their symptoms with physiotherapy, pain relief, weight management, or steroid and hyaluronic acid injections, there comes a point when these treatments may no longer provide enough benefit.
At MSK Ultrasound Imaging and Injection, we are pleased to introduce Arthrosamid, an innovative injectable treatment that offers a different approach to managing knee osteoarthritis pain. For the right patients, it provides the potential for long lasting pain relief without surgery.
Arthrosamid is an injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel (iPAAG) that is administered directly into the knee joint using ultrasound guidance. Unlike steroid injections, which reduce inflammation for a limited period, or hyaluronic acid injections that aim to improve joint lubrication, Arthrosamid integrates within the soft tissue lining of the joint.
This creates a cushioning effect within the synovial membrane, helping to reduce pain and improve joint function over the long term. The procedure itself is straightforward, performed in our clinic under ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate placement.
Who could benefit from Arthrosamid?
Arthrosamid is not suitable for everyone, but clinical studies show it is best suited for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis who are below 70 years old. It may be an excellent option for patients who fit one or more of the following groups:
- Patients who are not medically fit for knee replacement surgery
- Those who are self employed or unable to take prolonged time away from work
- People who do not want a total knee replacement
- Patients who have tried physiotherapy, medications and other injections without sufficient relief
- Younger patients with osteoarthritis who are considered too young for knee replacement surgery
These patient groups have been identified because they often need an effective treatment that bridges the gap between conservative care and surgery.
What does the research show?
One of the reasons we have chosen to offer Arthrosamid is the growing body of clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness.
A randomised clinical study comparing Arthrosamid with hyaluronic acid injections demonstrated encouraging results after one year. Across all patients treated with Arthrosamid, 73% experienced an improvement in pain, with only 13% reporting a decline.
The results became even more impressive in younger cohorts, confirming that the treatment is an ideal fit for patients under 70 with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. The study showed:
- 80% response rate in patients under 70 years old
- 94% response rate in patients under 60 years old
- 100% response rate in patients under 50 years old
These findings suggest that younger patients with knee osteoarthritis may experience particularly favourable outcomes, making Arthrosamid an attractive option for those wishing to delay or avoid joint replacement surgery.
Long lasting pain relief
Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of Arthrosamid is its durability.
Data from multiple clinical studies, including the DAISY, ROSA and IDA studies, has demonstrated consistent reductions in WOMAC pain scores, a recognised measure of pain and physical disability in osteoarthritis.
Importantly, these improvements were maintained for up to five years in long term follow up.
The results remained well beyond the minimum clinically important difference (MCID), meaning the improvements were large enough to be considered genuinely meaningful by patients rather than simply statistically significant.
For many people living with chronic knee pain, sustained improvement over several years could make a significant difference to quality of life.
Why ultrasound guidance matters
At MSK Ultrasound Imaging and Injection, every Arthrosamid injection is performed using high resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound guidance.
Ultrasound allows us to visualise the joint in real time and accurately position the injection within the knee. This level of precision helps ensure the treatment is delivered exactly where it is intended while also improving patient comfort throughout the procedure.
As specialists in ultrasound guided musculoskeletal injections, this is a core part of our clinical practice.
Is Arthrosamid right for you?
Every patient is different, and successful treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis.
Before recommending Arthrosamid, we carry out a comprehensive clinical assessment and ultrasound examination of your knee. We will review your symptoms, previous treatments, imaging findings and overall goals before discussing whether Arthrosamid is the most appropriate option.
For some patients, other treatments such as physiotherapy, exercise rehabilitation, corticosteroid injections, platelet rich plasma, or referral for surgical opinion may still be more appropriate.
Our aim is always to recommend the treatment that offers the greatest potential benefit for your individual circumstances.
A new addition to our osteoarthritis service
The introduction of Arthrosamid reflects our commitment to providing patients with access to evidence based, minimally invasive treatments for musculoskeletal conditions.
For patients who have exhausted conservative options but are not ready for knee replacement surgery, Arthrosamid offers an exciting new alternative supported by encouraging clinical research and long term outcome data.
If knee osteoarthritis is affecting your mobility, limiting your activities, or preventing you from enjoying everyday life, it may be time to explore whether Arthrosamid could help.
Initial consultation and preparation
All patients must attend an initial consultation before Arthrosamid treatment. This allows us to confirm that the injection is appropriate for your condition, assess your suitability, discuss the expected benefits and potential risks, and answer any questions you may have. During this consultation, we will also agree on the essential pre-procedure preparation, including the use of prophylactic antibiotics where appropriate, as this forms an important part of the treatment protocol. If you are interested in Arthrosamid injections, please contact us to arrange your initial consultation.
If you would like to find out whether Arthrosamid is suitable for your knee pain, contact MSK Ultrasound Imaging and Injection today.
Our experienced clinicians will assess your knee, discuss all available treatment options, and help you make an informed decision based on your symptoms, examination findings and the latest clinical evidence.
Take the next step towards reducing your knee pain. Book your Arthrosamid assessment with MSK Ultrasound Imaging and Injection today.
