Non-surgical knee care
Arthrosamid® injections for knee arthritis
Knee arthritis can slowly take the spring out of your step. Arthrosamid is a new kind of injection: a soft gel that cushions and lubricates the knee joint, easing pain and helping many people walk and move more comfortably - without surgery.
What is Arthrosamid?
Arthrosamid is a polyacrylamide gel injected into the knee in a single outpatient visit. Once inside the joint it becomes part of the knee’s lining, cushioning and lubricating it. You walk in and walk out the same day, and most people are back to normal daily activities within days, with benefit building over the following weeks.
Who may it suit?
People with knee osteoarthritis who want to stay active - especially those not ready for a knee replacement, or who would like to delay surgery. Whether Arthrosamid is right for you depends on your knee and your goals; Mr Shah will assess this with you in clinic.
Mr Shah’s experience
Mr Shah has used Arthrosamid for around three years and is one of the most experienced users of the treatment in the UK. In 2026 he performed Spire Fylde Coast Hospital’s 100th Arthrosamid injection.
Photographs from the celebration day at Spire Fylde Coast Hospital. Images: Spire Fylde Coast Hospital / Contura Orthopaedics.
A new treatment, honestly stated
Arthrosamid is a new treatment. The manufacturer’s published results now reach five years for effectiveness and ten years for safety (see Published results below), but those are international study data - there are still no 5- or 10-year UK results yet. Mr Shah will always talk you through what is known - and what is not yet known - before you decide.
Published results
The figures below come from results published by Contura, the manufacturer of Arthrosamid. They are international study data, not UK results.
- Five-year effectiveness. In a study following patients for five years after a single Arthrosamid injection, the improvement in knee pain and function stayed above the level considered meaningful to patients. The five-year findings were presented at the WCO-IOF-ESCEO congress in 2025 and published as a five-year extension study in 2026.
- Patients under 70. Contura reports a positive response in close to 80% of treated patients under the age of 70.
- Ten-year safety. A ten-year follow-up reported a favourable safety profile, with no unusual reactions in patients who later went on to have a knee replacement.
You can read the full results and their references on the official Arthrosamid results page.
Arthrosamid logo and charts reproduced with permission. Source: Contura / arthrosamid.com.
Mr Shah’s own clinical experience: “My own early results over the last few years seem to match this: Arthrosamid appears to work in about 80% of appropriate patients. As with any treatment, it does not work for everyone.”
How it fits among your options
Arthrosamid is one of several injection options Mr Shah offers, alongside steroid, hyaluronic acid and PRP injections. Some of them may work for you; the right choice depends on your knee, and he will help you decide in consultation. Read about non-surgical care and knee treatment options.
Your questions answered
How quickly will I feel a difference?
Many patients notice improvement within the first few weeks as the gel settles into the joint.
How long does it last?
Arthrosamid is designed to stay in the joint and keep working long-term, and many patients report benefit for a year or more. As a new treatment, UK results beyond a few years are not yet available - Mr Shah will discuss what this means for you.
Does the injection hurt?
The skin is numbed with local anaesthetic first; most patients describe brief pressure rather than pain.
What are the risks?
The vast majority of patients do well with knee injections, which is why they are used in such large numbers. Possible risks include infection (uncommon), temporary swelling or stiffness, and the chance that the injection does not help - Mr Shah discusses these before any treatment.
Can both knees be treated?
Yes, where both knees are suitable - discussed in clinic.
Will I still need a knee replacement later?
Some patients delay or avoid surgery; others go on to a replacement later. Arthrosamid does not prevent a future knee replacement if one is needed.
Discuss Arthrosamid with Mr Shah.
Email or WhatsApp Mr Shah directly, or find clinic phone numbers on the Find me page.