Arthrosamid Knee Injection: How It Works, How Long It Lasts and Who It Is For
Arthrosamid is a relatively new treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Interest in it has grown quickly. Patients often come to Mr Kosuge having heard the name but wanting to understand what it actually involves, how long the benefit lasts and whether it might suit them. This article answers the questions that come up most often.
What Arthrosamid is
Arthrosamid is a hydrogel injection, made up of approximately 97.5 per cent water and 2.5 per cent polyacrylamide. It is not a steroid and it is not hyaluronic acid, which are the two injections most people have heard of. It is given as a single injection into the knee. It is not broken down by the body in the way those other injections are.
How it works
Rather than acting as a short-term anti-inflammatory, the hydrogel settles within the lining of the knee joint, where it is thought to cushion the joint and ease the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis. Because it is not absorbed and cleared by the body, it is designed to provide longer-lasting relief than a steroid injection.
What the procedure involves
The appeal for many patients is its simplicity. Arthrosamid is given as a single injection, usually under local anaesthetic and with ultrasound guidance to place it accurately. It is a day-case treatment that takes around thirty minutes, with no operation, no general anaesthetic and no hospital stay. Most patients go home shortly afterwards and return to light activities the same day.
How long it lasts
Clinical studies have shown meaningful improvements in pain and function maintained at two years after a single injection, though results do vary from one person to the next. It is intended as a durable, longer-lasting alternative to repeated steroid injections rather than a short-term measure.
How it compares with a steroid injection
A steroid injection works by reducing inflammation and typically gives relief lasting from a few weeks to a few months. Arthrosamid works differently, by cushioning the joint and is designed to last considerably longer. Which is more appropriate depends on your knee and your circumstances and Mr Kosuge will talk this through with you.
Who it is for
Arthrosamid is intended for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. It is particularly useful where painkillers, exercise, physiotherapy or previous injections have not given enough relief. It is also an option for patients who wish to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery. It is not a treatment for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is not right for everyone. It will not repair a worn joint and it is not a cure for osteoarthritis. A proper assessment is essential to establish whether it is a sensible option for a particular knee.
Finding out if it could help you
Mr Kosuge is among the first surgeons to offer Arthrosamid at The Rivers Hospital, Sawbridgeworth and takes a conservative approach, recommending surgery only when it is genuinely the right step. Arthrosamid is available privately, as a self-pay or insured treatment. To find out whether it could help your knee, arrange a consultation at The Rivers Hospital, High Wych Road, Sawbridgeworth CM21 0HH:
Telephone: 01279 602675