What is Arthrosamid?
Arthrosamid is a hydrogel which lasts up to 5 years. It is used to treat knee osteoarthritis by an injection into the knee joint.
How long has it been available?
It has been available in Canada since 2025, but has been used in Europe and other countries for many years.
Is it safe?
Yes! It has an excellent 20 year safety record.
Is it covered by my extended medical plan?
Sorry, Arthrosamid is not currently covered by extended medicals unless you have a plan that provides discretionary funds.
It is a private-pay treatment option: for current pricing please call our office.
Does it involve a painful procedure?
No. You will have a local anaesthetic injection into the knee joint which causes mild discomfort but allows for a comfortable procedure. However, after the anaesthetic wears off, you can expect some post-procedural pain and sometimes some knee swelling which can last for up to a week or so. You will be offered post-procedure pain medication if you need it.
Will ultrasound guidance be used?
Yes! It helps to make sure the injection is accurate.
How long does the procedure take?
This depends on whether one or both knees are injected, and on how long it takes to remove some of the excess fluid from the knee before the hydrogel is injected. Usually the procedure is completed from start to finish within 30 minutes or less, with the actual gel injection part taking only about a minute. You will be asked to wait for 10 - 15 minutes before leaving.
Are there any requirements before I have the injection?
Yes: you will be advised to take a single dose of two antibiotics 1 - 2 hours before the procedure to help prevent any infection from happening.
Are there any reasons I should not have Arthrosamid?
Contraindications include a fever or infection of the knee, other implants in the knee, a knee replacement, haemophilia or pregnancy/breast feeding.
Relative contraindications include anticoagulants, poorly controlled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, major current dental work, previous hyaluronic injections before they have worn off, arthroscopic surgery within 6 months, cortisone injection within 3 - 6 months and very unstable knees
Are there any post-injection instructions?
Avoid strenuous activities such as hiking, soccer, or skiing for about 2 weeks after the injection.
What is the mechanism by which it works?
Arthrosamid is a hydrogel which embeds itself into the lining of the knee (the synovium) over a period of about 4 months. This creates a buffer inside the knee. It has also been shown to target receptors for interleukin 1, preventing the release of this inflammatory substance.
Is it the same as other gel injections for knee arthritis?
No. Other injections are cross-linked gels (hyaluronic acid derivatives) which degrade over months, and do not provide longer lasting knee protection, nor do they attach themselves to the synovium. Other gels can still be effective in some people for shorter periods of time.
Which patients get the best results?
If you are under 70, have an inflammatory osteoarthritis that is mild to moderate, if you have fluid in the knee (an effusion) and if you are otherwise in good health you should do well. It can still work for older individuals whose health is good, and it can still work if you have more severe arthritis but the results are not as successful.
How soon will I notice a difference?
You may improve as early as 3 weeks, but maximal improvement is usually around 4 months.
What if I don't live in Victoria?
We accept out of town referrals from within Canada, so long as you realise if you need any follow up you will need to return here.
Arthrosamid is a hydrogel which lasts up to 5 years. It is used to treat knee osteoarthritis by an injection into the knee joint.
How long has it been available?
It has been available in Canada since 2025, but has been used in Europe and other countries for many years.
Is it safe?
Yes! It has an excellent 20 year safety record.
Is it covered by my extended medical plan?
Sorry, Arthrosamid is not currently covered by extended medicals unless you have a plan that provides discretionary funds.
It is a private-pay treatment option: for current pricing please call our office.
Does it involve a painful procedure?
No. You will have a local anaesthetic injection into the knee joint which causes mild discomfort but allows for a comfortable procedure. However, after the anaesthetic wears off, you can expect some post-procedural pain and sometimes some knee swelling which can last for up to a week or so. You will be offered post-procedure pain medication if you need it.
Will ultrasound guidance be used?
Yes! It helps to make sure the injection is accurate.
How long does the procedure take?
This depends on whether one or both knees are injected, and on how long it takes to remove some of the excess fluid from the knee before the hydrogel is injected. Usually the procedure is completed from start to finish within 30 minutes or less, with the actual gel injection part taking only about a minute. You will be asked to wait for 10 - 15 minutes before leaving.
Are there any requirements before I have the injection?
Yes: you will be advised to take a single dose of two antibiotics 1 - 2 hours before the procedure to help prevent any infection from happening.
Are there any reasons I should not have Arthrosamid?
Contraindications include a fever or infection of the knee, other implants in the knee, a knee replacement, haemophilia or pregnancy/breast feeding.
Relative contraindications include anticoagulants, poorly controlled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, major current dental work, previous hyaluronic injections before they have worn off, arthroscopic surgery within 6 months, cortisone injection within 3 - 6 months and very unstable knees
Are there any post-injection instructions?
Avoid strenuous activities such as hiking, soccer, or skiing for about 2 weeks after the injection.
What is the mechanism by which it works?
Arthrosamid is a hydrogel which embeds itself into the lining of the knee (the synovium) over a period of about 4 months. This creates a buffer inside the knee. It has also been shown to target receptors for interleukin 1, preventing the release of this inflammatory substance.
Is it the same as other gel injections for knee arthritis?
No. Other injections are cross-linked gels (hyaluronic acid derivatives) which degrade over months, and do not provide longer lasting knee protection, nor do they attach themselves to the synovium. Other gels can still be effective in some people for shorter periods of time.
Which patients get the best results?
If you are under 70, have an inflammatory osteoarthritis that is mild to moderate, if you have fluid in the knee (an effusion) and if you are otherwise in good health you should do well. It can still work for older individuals whose health is good, and it can still work if you have more severe arthritis but the results are not as successful.
How soon will I notice a difference?
You may improve as early as 3 weeks, but maximal improvement is usually around 4 months.
What if I don't live in Victoria?
We accept out of town referrals from within Canada, so long as you realise if you need any follow up you will need to return here.
| Arthrosamid leaflet |
| Arthrosamid brochure |