Everything You Need To Know About the New Knee Injection, Arthrosamid®

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a very common problem for both men and women. In osteoarthritis, the smooth protective tissue in the joint (cartilage) gradually wears away, often due to years of use, small injuries, and general “wear and tear”. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

For many people, surgery such as knee replacement was once seen as the main option when symptoms became severe. Today, however, there are newer non-surgical treatments that can help — including a hydrogel knee injection called Arthrosamid®.

Below is a clear, step-by-step guide to what Arthrosamid® is, how it works, and what you might expect from treatment.

What Is Arthrosamid®, the New Knee Injection?

Arthrosamid® is an intra-articular (into the joint) knee injection designed for people with osteoarthritis. It is a non-biodegradable hydrogel made from:

• 97.5% water
• 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide (a synthetic polymer)

Instead of being absorbed and broken down quickly by the body, this hydrogel is designed to stay in the joint long term and become integrated into the synovial membrane — the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the joint capsule.

By doing this, Arthrosamid® aims to:

• Improve lubrication and cushioning inside the knee
• Reduce friction between the joint surfaces
• Ease pain and stiffness
• Support better mobility and function

It is positioned as a minimally invasive, non-surgical option for managing knee osteoarthritis, potentially delaying or reducing the need for major surgery in some patients.

How Is Arthrosamid® Different From Other Arthritis Injections?

There are several types of injections commonly used to treat knee osteoarthritis, such as:

• Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections (also called viscosupplementation)
• Corticosteroid injections
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Regenerative or stem-cell-based therapies

Arthrosamid® differs in several important ways:

1. Hydrogel Structure

Unlike HA, steroids or PRP, Arthrosamid® is a hydrogel — a soft, gel-like material with a high water content.

• It is made of 97.5% water and 2.5% synthetic polymer.
• This structure allows it to act like a long-lasting cushion and lubricant inside the knee.

2. Long-Term Presence in the Joint

Most other injections are gradually broken down and cleared by the body over weeks or months. Arthrosamid® is non-biodegradable and is designed to:

• Remain in the joint
• Integrate with the synovial membrane
• Provide sustained, long-term effect

3. Mode of Action

Traditional treatments often focus on reducing inflammation (like steroids) or temporarily boosting lubrication (like HA).

Arthrosamid® aims to:

• Physically change the environment of the joint by adding a permanent hydrogel
• Improve the quality of the synovial fluid and membrane
• Reduce mechanical stress on the joint surfaces

How Does Arthrosamid® Work in the Knee?

Once Arthrosamid® is injected into the knee joint:

• The hydrogel spreads within the joint cavity (the space where the bones meet).
• It mixes with and supports the synovial fluid, which is the natural joint lubricant.
• Over time, the gel integrates with the synovial membrane, helping it retain more water and stay better lubricated.

The overall effect is to:

• Restore viscosity (thickness and slipperiness) of the joint fluid
• Reduce friction between the cartilage surfaces
• Decrease pain and stiffness
• Support smoother, more comfortable movement when you stand, walk, or bend your knee

What Happens During an Arthrosamid® Injection?

Although any injection into a joint is a medical procedure, Arthrosamid® treatment is typically quick and minimally invasive. A typical process looks like this:

1. Preparation and Cleaning
2. • The skin around your knee is carefully cleaned using soap and antiseptic solution.
   • This helps lower the risk of infection.
2. Local Anaesthetic
3. • A local anaesthetic is often used to numb the area around the injection site.
   • This reduces discomfort during the procedure.
3. Imaging Guidance (Ultrasound)
4. • To ensure the injection goes into the correct place, your doctor may use ultrasound to visualise the joint space.
   • This helps guide the needle precisely into the intra-articular space (inside the joint).
4. The Arthrosamid® Injection
5. • The hydrogel is then injected directly into the knee joint.
   • You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort, but the numbing medicine helps keep this to a minimum.
5. After the Injection
6. • A small plaster or dressing is placed over the injection site to protect the skin and stop any minor bleeding.
   • You will usually be observed briefly and then can go home the same day.

Most people can walk out of the clinic after the procedure, although your doctor may recommend taking things easy for a short time.

Key Benefits of Arthrosamid® Treatment

1. Reduces Pain

Arthrosamid® is designed to offer long-lasting pain relief, with clinical studies suggesting benefits that may last a year or longer in many patients.

By improving lubrication and cushioning in the joint, pain from everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods may become more manageable.

2. Helps Your Knee Stay Active

Osteoarthritis often leads to:

• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Reduced ability to bend and straighten the knee

By reducing stiffness and discomfort, Arthrosamid® can help you:

• Walk more comfortably
• Stand for longer
• Bend and move your knee with less pain

Restoring activity is important because gentle, regular movement helps maintain muscle strength and joint function.

3. Supports the Synovial Membrane

The synovial membrane is the thin lining inside the joint that produces synovial fluid. This fluid:

• Lubricates the joint
• Reduces friction
• Nourishes the cartilage

Arthrosamid® integrates with the synovial membrane and supports its function, which may help:

• Improve fluid quality
• Enhance lubrication
• Reduce “bone-on-bone” feeling in some patients

4. Minimally Invasive and Straightforward

Compared with major operations such as knee replacement, Arthrosamid® is:

• Non-surgical
• Performed with a single injection (in most cases)
• Usually done in an outpatient clinic

This means:

• No hospital stay is typically required
• No large incisions or general anaesthetic
• Recovery time is generally shorter than after surgery

For people who are not good candidates for surgery — for example, some patients with diabetes, heart disease or other conditions — a non-surgical option may be particularly appealing. The final decision, however, should always be made with an orthopaedic specialist.

5. Cost Considerations

Arthrosamid® is often less expensive than major surgical procedures such as knee replacement and may compare favourably with some other injection-based treatments.

The overall cost can depend on:

• Your location and local healthcare system
• Whether you are treated privately or through insurance
• Fees charged by the clinic and the specialist

Your clinic or hospital can give you an exact quotation based on your situation.

6. Minimal Downtime and Generally Mild Side Effects

Most people can resume normal light activities fairly quickly after the injection. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, for example:

• Temporary pain or pressure in the knee
• Mild swelling or warmth around the joint
• Small bruising at the injection site

As with any injection, there is a small risk of more serious complications, such as infection or allergic reaction, but these are uncommon. Your specialist will discuss all potential risks, benefits, and alternatives with you before treatment.

Clinical experience so far suggests that many patients experience noticeable improvement in their symptoms over weeks to months, with some reporting major relief by around six months after treatment.

Combining Arthrosamid® With Physiotherapy

While Arthrosamid® can help reduce pain and stiffness, it is often most effective as part of a broader treatment plan. Many specialists recommend combining it with:

• Physiotherapy for arthritis
• Strengthening exercises for the muscles around the knee
• Weight management, if appropriate
• Simple lifestyle changes (such as pacing activities and using supportive footwear)

Physiotherapy can help you:

• Regain confidence using your knee
• Improve balance and stability
• Protect the joint and reduce the risk of further injury

Is Arthrosamid® Right for You?

Arthrosamid® may be considered for adults with knee osteoarthritis who:

• Have ongoing pain and stiffness
• Have tried measures such as painkillers, exercise, weight management, and other injections
• Want to postpone or avoid major surgery, where appropriate

It may not be suitable if you have:

• An active infection in or around the knee
• Certain inflammatory or systemic conditions
• Specific allergies or medical issues highlighted by your specialist

A full assessment with an orthopaedic surgeon or rheumatology specialist is essential. They can review your scans, medical history, and lifestyle to decide whether Arthrosamid® is a sensible option for you.

Final Thoughts

Arthrosamid® is an innovative, minimally invasive knee injection that offers long-lasting pain relief and improved mobility for many people living with knee osteoarthritis. By using a hydrogel that becomes part of the joint’s natural lining, it helps reduce friction and supports smoother, more comfortable movement without the need for major surgery.

If knee pain is limiting your day-to-day life, speaking with a qualified orthopaedic specialist can help you decide whether Arthrosamid® — alongside physiotherapy and other supportive treatments — could be an appropriate part of your osteoarthritis management plan.