AT A GLANCE
TREATS
Mild to severe knee osteoarthritis
Anaesthesia
Local anesthetic
Duration
30 minutes
Recovery
48h of reduced activity
WHAT IS KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS?
Knee osteoarthritis, a chronic condition affecting the knee bones and joints, progressively deteriorates over time, leading to discomfort and reduced mobility. Primarily affecting the knee joint, it erodes the cushioning cartilage, resulting in bone friction and stiffness. Consequently, the joint becomes swollen and painful.
The exact cause of knee osteoarthritis remains elusive, and as of now, no permanent remedy exists. Current treatments primarily focus on symptom management and include:
- Exercise
- Weight loss
- Pain relief medication
- Viscosupplement injections
- Braces
- Physical therapy
However, when these interventions prove ineffective, patients often resort to total knee replacement surgery as a last resort. Yet, a promising shift is on the horizon.
How Does Arthrosamid Work to Treat Knee Pain?
WHAT EXACTLY IS ARTHROSAMID®?
How Does Arthrosamid Work to Treat Knee Pain?
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT SHARRON DAVIES' 3-MONTH POST-TREATMENT JOURNEY
Safe and sustained pain relief for knee osteoarthritis with a single injection
Arthrosamid® is a non-biodegradable hydrogel designed to support and cushion the joint, effectively alleviating pain and improving joint function.
Arthrosamid® is injected into the intra-articular space as a minimally invasive, out-patient procedure in our clinic
Eliminate the need for more aggressive treatments, such as surgery
long-lasting pain relief for knee osteoarthritis through a single injection while ensuring safety.
Arthrosamid Injection: An Innovative Advanced Treatment for Knee Arthritis!
Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition frequently encountered in clinics. Initial treatment often involves conservative approaches and anti-inflammatory medications. However, when these conventional methods fall short, injection therapy becomes an essential option. Arthrosamid offers a groundbreaking treatment for all stages of knee arthritis. Discover the benefits of Arthrosamid at Vale Health Clinic—schedule your free initial assessment today!
ARTHROSAMID® TREATMENT OVERVIEW
Discover Arthrosamid: A Promising New Therapy for Knee Arthritis
Arthrosamid presents an exciting new therapeutic option for knee arthritis. Originating from Denmark and available in the UK for several years, research results indicate promising long-term efficacy for this innovative injection treatment.
What Exactly is Arthrosamid®?
Arthrosamid® is a groundbreaking, long-lasting solution for knee osteoarthritis, offering patients a compelling alternative to traditional therapies like steroids. This advanced treatment uses non-biodegradable hydrogel technology, consisting of 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide and 97.5% water. When injected into the knee, Arthrosamid® cushions the joint, alleviating pain and providing safe, enduring relief—all with just a single injection.
What Evidence Supports the Use of Arthrosamid Injections in Knee Arthritis?
In recent years, several small-scale studies have examined the efficacy and safety of Arthrosamid for treating knee arthritis. These studies have shown notable improvements in knee pain and swelling post-injection, along with enhancements in scores assessing the severity of knee arthritis and its impact on quality of life. More recently, larger and more robust studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of Arthrosamid.
For instance, a multi-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial compared the effects of hydrogel injections to hyaluronic acid, revealing positive outcomes in both patient groups for up to one year (Bliddal, H., et al. 2022. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 30(S1), S373-S374).
The most recent data on Arthrosamid injection suggests its effectiveness persists in many patients even three years after the procedure. This prospective study, involving patients with an average age of approximately 70 years, found that the hydrogel forms a stable, long-lasting layer covering the joint surface, providing enduring relief from knee arthritis symptoms.
Is Arthrosamid the Right Choice for Me?
Arthrosamid has demonstrated both efficacy and safety in relieving symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, making it a generally favorable treatment option for numerous patients. Nonetheless, it’s recommended to consult with one of our injection practitioners who can thoroughly explain the risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as explore alternative therapies that may be beneficial.
How is Arthrosamid administered ?
Administering the Arthrosamid hydrogel involves directly injecting it into the knee joint under ultrasound guidance, a crucial step for ensuring maximum precision and accuracy in delivery. Research indicates that unguided knee injections have an accuracy rate of approximately 80%.
What Contraindications to Arthrosamid injections
- Existing knee replacement or prosthesis.
- History of knee keyhole surgery (arthroscopy) within the past 6 months.
- Certain conditions affecting the joints, such as haemophilia, autoimmune diseases, or inflammatory arthritis.
- Recent hyaluronic acid injection into the knee; it’s advised to wait until the previous injection is absorbed, with the duration varying according to the specific hyaluronic acid preparation used.
- Certain medications and blood disorders. This will be fully discussed during your initial consultation to ascertain the suitability of the treatment and answer any questions you may have.
why Arthrosamid is administered with ultrasound guidance?
Arthrosamid is administered with ultrasound guidance to enhance the precision and safety of the injection process. Without ultrasound guidance, the accuracy of knee injections is only around 80%, as shown by studies. Therefore, utilizing ultrasound ensures that Arthrosamid is injected precisely into the knee joint, maximizing its effectiveness and safety for the patient.
How long will the effects of Arthrosamid last for ?
The duration of Arthrosamid’s effect is promising, with recent studies showing that its benefits were maintained for up to 3 years of follow-up. Contura, the manufacturer of Arthrosamid, is actively monitoring the long-term response to this hydrogel treatment. Since the Arthrosamid hydrogel cannot be degraded by the body, it offers the potential for long-term pain relief, providing patients with sustained benefits over time.
When will I start to notice an improvement after my injection ?
Patients typically begin to notice pain relief within a few weeks after receiving the injection. It is common to experience temporary discomfort in the knee for the first few days after the procedure. Pain relief from the injection can usually start to be felt at around 4 weeks, but the full benefits may take up to 4 months to become apparent.
| Procedure | Practitioner | Practitioner fee |
|---|---|---|
Arthrosamid | Jon Handley-Collins | £2400 (one knee) £4600 (both knees) |
Arthrosamid Injection
How Does Arthrosamid Work to Treat Knee Pain?
The knee joint includes a thin membrane known as the synovium, which contains small synovial cells that produce a lubricant fluid. This fluid allows the joints to glide smoothly and acts as a shock absorber. In arthritis, the synovium often becomes inflamed and irritated, leading to synovitis.
Arthrosamid Hydrogel injection helps alleviate this inflammation by being absorbed by the synovial cells. Once absorbed, these cells become more dispersed, which reduces the transmission of inflammatory signals. Additionally, the hydrogel provides cushioning within the knee joint. Typically, it takes about 6-8 weeks post-injection for Arthrosamid to integrate with the synovial cells, resulting in reduced knee joint pain, decreased swelling, and improved function.
What does the procedure involve
The Procedure:
Before the injection, you’ll receive a single dose of antibiotics to mitigate the risk of infection. These will be sent to your home and should be taken 2 hours before your injection. A pre-procedure ultrasound scan of the knee will be conducted to pinpoint the optimal site for the injection and assess any excess fluid in the joint. Following this, the skin will be cleaned and prepared using sterile techniques. A small amount of local anaesthetic will be administered to numb the area. Subsequently, under continuous ultrasound guidance, the Arthrosamid hydrogel will be accurately injected into the knee joint. If there is any excess fluid present, it will be aspirated before the Arthrosamid injection.
It is important to follow your clinician post-procedure instructions carefully and attend follow the knee rehabilitation programme.
YOUR SIMPLE 4 STEP JOURNEY
Step 1. Free Intial consultation
Vale health clinic gives every patient a free consultation with one of our injecting practitioners. This includes a free ultrasound scan if required.
There is no obligation to proceed to treatment. The consultation is an opportunity to discuss your issue in detail and the benefits and risks of the procedure.
STEP 2. PHYSICAL EXAM AND ULTRASOUND
We will perform palpation and orthopaedic tests to help confirm your diagnosis. If required we may also perform a diagnostic ultrasound scan to assist in visualising the issue. We may also refer you for an X-ray or MRI, depending on the examination findings.
We will allow time to explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have. We make sure you understand the advantages and risks with the procedure before going ahead
STEP 3. Injection procedure
You’ll be given individual pre-injection advice to reduce your chance of bleeding or infection and support your recovery and aid healing
It’s important to let your practitioner know if you’re on any prescription or over-the-counter medications. You may be asked to stop taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory tablets, which can increase the risk of bruising. It’s also important to stop smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes before and after the procedure because they can disrupt the healing process.
Local aesthetic is normally needed as well is an antibiotic which must be taken 2 hours before the procedure
STEP 4: RECOVERY AND FOLLOW UP
Following the procedure, most individuals can return home and resume their normal activities. Our clinical team will be available to offer water and provide guidance on post-injection care.
For the next 48 hours, it’s advisable to refrain from strenuous activities and alcohol consumption. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t notice immediate effects; it typically takes around 4 weeks for the injection to take effect, with the full results becoming evident over the course of 4 months.
A follow-up appointment or phone consultation will be scheduled for 4 months after the course of treatment to review the progress.
MEET THE TEAM
Gary Edwards
Doctor of Chiropractic and Injection therapy
REVIEWED WIDELY
ACROSS THESE PLATFORMS
Read our patient testimonials
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 Star Average
April 23, 2024 - Jaqui S. | Severe Knee osteoarthritis
After my consultation with Jon l felt confident enough to go ahead with my treatment on my knee for arthritis. Having a fairly new injection of arthrosamid l was fairly ambivalent about the outcome but 9 months on it was well worth the money and the outcome. I have had no pain at all in my knee and would totally recommend this treatment at this clinic.
December, 2023 - Mike K. | Moderate knee osteoarthritis
Jon has been trying to ease my arthritic pain in my left knee for well over a year with steroid injection…. H A injections and Ozone injections with only a small amount of success. I’ve been aware of Arthrosamid for over a year but couldn’t find any unbiased reviews and was sceptical… but suffering with the constant pain and limited mobility especially as I’m a carpenter I took the plunge 12 weeks ago and I’m so glad I did. I can now walk pain free… stairs and scafffold ladders no problem…. My range of motion and stiffness are massively improved… My mental health has improved as a result so a massive thank you to Jon
July, 2023 - Michael D. | Moderate knee arthritis
Very friendly and helpful staff, I can't thank them enough for a professional service, my leg is so much better now..thank you.
