Arthrosamid: An Established Treatment
for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
What is Arthrosamid UK?
Arthrosamid UK is a hydrogel material in which water molecules (97%) are attached to a polyacrylamide backbone (2.5%). It is non-degradable, meaning the body can’t break it down. Moreover, it is unlike acrylamide, which is shown to be toxic in humans.
Doctors have used hydrogel as a bulking agent for medical problems, such as stress incontinence and facial fillers, for over 20 years. In joints, it has been used extensively in horses with arthritis since 2009 and in humans in 2010. Biological studies have shown that Arthrosamid is inert and doesn’t react with different tissues, including muscle, bone and joints.
More than 26,000 Arthrosmaid injections have been performed in Europe and the UK since the product’s approval for use in 2020.
How Does Arthrosamid UK Work?
The synovium is a thin membrane lining the joint and contains synovial cells. These cells produce joint fluid that lubricates and helps maintain joint health.
When hydrogel is injected into the knee joint, it is taken up by synovial cells and forms a new joint lining. This new lining reduces knee joint inflammation, thereby reducing pain. Forming a new joint lining can take up to four weeks.
Evidence in Knee Osteoarthritis
A recent randomised controlled trial between Arthrosamid and hyaluronic acid in people with knee arthritis showed similar improvements at one year. However, in younger (70 years old) and slimmer patients, and in patients with a large effusion, Arthosamid performed better than hyaluronic acid. In this study, Arthrosamid gel had an overall positive response rate of 73% in the RCT. But this response is dependent on age, with younger patients doing much better:
- <60 years: 94%
- <70%: 80%
- Over 70s: 63%
The pain-relieving effect begins at 4 weeks and peaks at approximately 12 weeks. Recently released longer-term data from RCTs suggest that the positive effect of Arthrosamid persists for at least 5 years and perhaps longer.
How Do We Deliver Arthrosamid UK Injection?
We inject this hydrogel directly into the knee joint. We strongly recommend performing this procedure under ultrasound guidance. The hydrogel must be delivered accurately in the joint rather than outside it. Without ultrasound guidance, the accuracy of a knee injection is at most 50-80 %. Therefore, one in three to five injections without guidance does not reach the joint.
Are all doctors trained in ultrasound-guided injections?
No. Most doctors are not trained in ultrasound-guided interventions. You need to ensure that your doctor is an expert in ultrasound-guided injections.
Dr Masci’s ultrasound-guided injection expertise makes him a leading contributor in this specialised field. He performs over one thousand ultrasound-guided injections a year. In addition, he speaks regularly and contributes to lectures and educational programming on the subject. Moreover, he has partnered with a leading ultrasound company, Sonoskills, to produce an online learning program for sports doctors and other professionals. Currently, he is developing an advanced ultrasound-guided injection course through Sonoskills.
What is the Cost of Arthrosamid Uk?
Dr Masci offers a one-stop consultation and injeciton at his Chelsea clinic for £2500, which is considerably less than most centres in London and the UK.
To make an enquiry or booking, please contact his team
For more practical information on Arthrosamid, please clinic on Arthrosamid: a promising treatment for knee osteoarthritis