Arthrosamid® Injections in Rugby

Arthrosamid® is a non-biodegradable injectable hydrogel. Unlike other treatments, it permanently integrates with the synovial lining of your knee. This creates a thickened barrier, reducing inflammation and helping to relieve pain over a long period,  all from a single injection. The latest in knee OA treatment.

How does Arthrosamid® work in the knee?

Osteoarthritis doesn’t just affect cartilage; it also drives inflammation in the synovial tissue, the lining of the joint. This inflammation (synovitis) contributes significantly to pain, swelling and the progression of the condition.

Arthrosamid® targets this environment inside the knee:

• The hydrogel is injected into the synovial cavity of the joint.
• It disperses within the synovial fluid and then binds with the synovial membrane.
• Over time, it forms a stable, cushioning layer on the inner surface of the joint.
• This layer reduces friction and irritation, helping to break the pain-inflammation cycle associated with osteoarthritis.

Many patients report:

• Less day-to-day pain
• Reduced stiffness, particularly in the morning or after rest
• Improved confidence when walking, climbing stairs or standing for longer periods.

Book a consultation for Arthrosamid® injections at our Rugby clinic

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition where the smooth cartilage covering the ends of the bones gradually wears away. As the cartilage thins, the joint surfaces become less well-cushioned. Causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Over time, the condition often worsens, resulting in limited day-to-day activities and overall quality of life.

Despite being the most common form of arthritis, treatment options for knee OA haven’t changed much over the past 20 years. Typical approaches have been to focus on managing symptoms rather than actually treating the underlying causes. For many people, that means with painkillers, physiotherapy, or surgery. The main culprit of OA pain is inflammation of the synovial tissue, the lining inside the knee joint. This condition is called synovitis and is linked to both the pain experienced and the worsening of the disease. The inflammation leads to the release of enzymes that further damage cartilage. Creating a pain-inflammation cycle. Arthrosamid® offers a unique solution to breaking this cycle for long-term relief.

Arthrosamid® is ideal for adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis, especially those:

• Have knee osteoarthritis confirmed or strongly suspected
• Experience ongoing pain, stiffness or swelling despite other treatments
• Want to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery where possible
• Experiencing chronic joint pain
• Have tried options such as painkillers, physiotherapy, steroids or hyaluronic acid injections with limited or short-lived benefit
• Prefer a minimally invasive, clinic-based treatment with little downtime

Arthrosamid® is not suitable for everyone. It may not be recommended if you have:

• Have a current infection in or near the knee
• Have a prosthetic knee joint, certain implants
• Or you have recently undergone knee surgery

our Joint Care Clinics clinician will talk through your medical history, examine the joint and, where appropriate, use ultrasound to assess whether Arthrosamid® is a safe and sensible option for you.

Before your Arthrosamid® injection, your clinician will apply a local anaesthetic to numb the area around your knee, helping to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible. You’ll also be given a single dose of antibiotics beforehand to minimise the risk of infection.

Your skin will be carefully cleaned, and the treatment area prepared. Using a fine needle, often under ultrasound guidance for precision,  Arthrosamid® is then injected directly into the synovial cavity of the knee joint.

Once the injection is complete, the needle is removed and a small plaster is placed over the site. There are no stitches, and most patients can walk out of the clinic the same day.

After your Arthrosamid® injection, it is normal to feel some:

• Mild discomfort, fullness or pressure in the knee
• Temporary increase in stiffness or aching over the first few days

These effects usually settle with simple measures such as:

• Relative rest for 24–48 hours
• Gentle walking and range-of-movement exercises as advised
• Ice packs, if recommended by your clinician
• Over-the-counter pain relief if needed (always check if this is appropriate for you)

Once inside the joint, Arthrosamid® begins working immediately. The hydrogel spreads through the synovial fluid and starts to bind with the synovial membrane, the soft tissue lining the joint.

This unique action creates a protective cushion within the knee, helping to reduce inflammation, relieve pressure, and break the pain cycle often seen in osteoarthritis.

Over time, this process helps to:

• Reduce knee stiffness
• Ease inflammation-related pain
• Improve joint comfort and movement
• And all from just one injection.

Many patients begin to feel the benefits within days to weeks, with improvements that continue to build over time.

Until recently, treatments for knee osteoarthritis (OA) have focused on managing symptoms, rather than slowing the progression or addressing the inflammation at the source of the pain.

Common approaches include:

• Weight loss
• Exercise and physiotherapy
• Walking aids
• Supportive footwear or insoles
• Knee braces
• Oral pain relief (such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatories)
• Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections
• And ultimately, joint replacement surgery, when these options are no longer effective

While some of these treatments can help in the short term, many patients find that pain returns or worsens over time, especially as the condition progresses.

Arthrosamid® offers something different.

Rather than masking the pain temporarily, Arthrosamid® works inside the joint to change the environment of the knee, helping to reduce inflammation and cushion the joint for longer-term relief.

It’s the first and only injectable hydrogel designed to permanently bond with the synovial tissue of the knee. Just one injection can:

• Reduce pain for years, not months
• Improve joint flexibility and movement
• Delay the need for surgery

Clinical trials show that patients continue to experience significant pain relief up to four years after their Arthrosamid® treatment

As with any injection into the knee joint, mild side effects may occur, but these are generally short-lived and manageable.

The most commonly reported side effects include:

• Temporary pain or swelling in the knee
• A feeling of tightness or heaviness
• Bruising or soreness at the injection site

These symptoms typically resolve within a few days to a few weeks. Most patients are able to return to their usual activities shortly after the injection. More serious complications, such as infection, are rare. Your clinician will explain risks in full and advise you on what to look out for after the procedure.

If your symptoms return after a period of good relief, it may be possible to consider another Arthrosamid® injection. Decisions about repeat treatment are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account:

• How long did your initial response last
• Your current level of pain and function
• Any changes in examination or imaging

Your clinician will discuss the pros and cons of repeat treatment with you if this becomes relevant.

Schedule Arthrosamid® injection treatment in Rugby

Yes. If you have osteoarthritis in both knees, Arthrosamid® can be used in each joint. Your clinician will advise whether it is better to treat both knees on the same day or to stage the injections, depending on your symptoms and overall health.

Yes. If you are due to undergo any major surgical or dental procedure in the future, it’s important to let your healthcare team know that you’ve received an Arthrosamid® injection. This helps ensure a complete and accurate medical assessment.

Yes. Joint Care Clinics offers diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound scans to help confirm the source of your pain and guide which treatment is most suitable. A scan can assess the joint surfaces, surrounding soft tissues and signs of inflammation before you decide between Arthrosamid®, cortisone or hyaluronic acid.

You can see more about our diagnostic ultrasound service here

If you have pain in several joints or in areas other than the knee, Joint Care Clinics can assess and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal problems.

You can explore our broader approach to joint and soft-tissue pain here:

Joint pain treatments

Conditions we treat

We cover many areas throughout the UK for Arthrosamid® injections at our Joint Care Clinics, including:

Our Warwickshire clinics in Coventry and Rugby cover Bedworth, Kenilworth, Leamington Spa, Nuneaton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Southam, Wellesbourne and Warwick.

A West Midlands clinic in Birmingham, Edgbaston, and Harborne, covering Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.

A Buckinghamshire clinic in Milton Keynes covering Aylesbury, Bedford, and Leighton Buzzard. Northamptonshire, Daventry, Kettering, Northampton, and Wellingborough.

And Leicestershire, Leicester, Market Harborough, Lutterworth and Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).

Please check our contact page for the clinic nearest to you.