Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis and the Search for Better Treatments

Knee osteoarthritis is a very common condition that causes joint pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving, affecting millions of people around the world. These symptoms can significantly disrupt daily life, making simple tasks challenging. While there are many treatment options—from exercise and medication to surgery—many patients prefer to avoid invasive procedures if possible. Arthrosamid injections have recently emerged as an exciting, minimally invasive alternative to help relieve the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. In this article, we’ll explore how Arthrosamid works, the science behind it, and what patients can expect throughout their treatment.

What Is Arthrosamid?

Arthrosamid is a specialised hydrogel treatment created with the specific goal of easing knee osteoarthritis discomfort. It is made up mostly of water (around 97.5%) combined with a small amount (2.5%) of polyacrylamide, a soft, gel-like substance. This combination makes it very compatible with the natural environment of your knee joint. The hydrogel acts like a cushion and lubricant, supplementing the joint’s existing fluids to help reduce pain and improve how the knee moves.

To explain it simply: Arthrosamid is designed to provide long-lasting joint support inside the knee. According to a recent review, “Polyacrylamide (PAAG) hydrogel is a novel compound that has recently become available in the UK market under the name Arthrosamid to treat osteoarthritis (OA).”

How Does Arthrosamid Work?

Arthrosamid works by integrating with the synovial membrane — the delicate lining inside your knee joint. After it is injected, the hydrogel forms a stable network within the joint space. This acts like a shock absorber and helps improve lubrication, reducing the friction and grinding that usually causes pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis.

As researchers put it, Arthrosamid “adheres to and bulks up the synovial membrane and acts as a scaffold to treat the synovium.” This means it not only cushions the knee but also helps support the joint lining, creating a softer, smoother environment for movement.

What to Expect from the Treatment Journey

Your journey with Arthrosamid injections usually starts with an orthopaedic consultation to make sure the treatment is appropriate for you, especially if you have mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. The procedure itself is minimally invasive and often takes place under local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout. To ensure the hydrogel reaches the right spot, ultrasound guidance is commonly used during the injection.

The treatment is delivered by experienced practitioners—in this case, Professor Paul Lee, who has extensive expertise in orthopaedics and rehabilitation. At MSK Doctors, patients receive professional and compassionate care throughout their treatment and recovery.

How Does Arthrosamid Compare to Other Knee Injections?

There are several other injectable treatments commonly used for knee osteoarthritis, such as corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation quickly but their effects tend to be short-lived. Hyaluronic acid supplements joint lubrication but may require frequent repeat injections because it breaks down sooner.

Arthrosamid stands out because of its unique hydrogel formula that not only lubricates but also provides lasting cushioning and structural support within the joint. A recent study found that “change from baseline in pain scores in the iPAAG group was non-inferior to hyaluronic acid at 26 weeks and approached superiority at 52 weeks.” More specifically, the study reported significant benefits for certain groups, including patients under 70 years old and those with a healthy body mass index.

Furthermore, another study explained that “iPAAG offers comparable short-term efficacy and modest advantage at 6 months... iPAAG outperformed corticosteroids but not hyaluronic acid.” They also observed that after 12 months, while pain scores for corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid reverted to baseline levels, Arthrosamid’s treatment effects remained stable.

Together, these findings suggest that Arthrosamid can provide longer-lasting symptom relief with a lower risk of side effects, making it a strong contender among non-surgical options for knee osteoarthritis.

What Happens After the Injection?

Many patients notice improvements within a few weeks, but the full benefits often take several months to develop. Research shows that these effects can last for at least two years, providing durable relief from pain and stiffness. Most patients experience a straightforward recovery and are advised to attend follow-up appointments to track their progress and discuss any concerns.

Importantly, studies highlight that “injection of PAAG hydrogel into the knee has been shown to be safe with no long-lasting adverse events reported,” adding reassurance about its safety profile.

Conclusion: A Promising Pathway to Relief

In summary, Arthrosamid is an innovative and effective therapy for knee osteoarthritis, combining cutting-edge hydrogel science with expert clinical care. It offers an attractive nonsurgical alternative that helps improve joint comfort and mobility, supported by encouraging research and specialist oversight. Under the care of Professor Paul Lee and the team at MSK Doctors, patients receive personalised and professional attention every step of the way.

As always, treatment choices should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider, who can help tailor the options best suited to your individual needs.

References

Cole, A., Maulana, R. K., Whitehead, J. P., & Lee, P. Y. F. (2022). A systematic review of the novel compound Arthrosamid polyacrylamide (PAAG) hydrogel for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Medical Research Archives, 10(8). https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v10i8.2950

Bliddal, H., Beier, J., Hartkopp, A., Conaghan, P. G., & Henriksen, M. (2023). Polyacrylamide hydrogel versus hyaluronic acid in knee osteoarthritis: A subgroup analysis of a randomized study. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 105-B(SUPP_13), 81-81. https://doi.org/10.1302/1358-992x.2023.13.081

Aykaç, B., Dinç, M., Nar, Ö. O., Karasu, R., & Bayrak, H. Ç. (2025). Comparative efficacy of polyacrylamide hydrogel versus hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids in knee osteoarthritis: A retrospective cohort study. Medicine, 104(38), e44655. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000044655