A NEW KIND OF TREATMENT FOR KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS AVAILABLE HERE AT OVING CLINIC
This treatment is based on an innovative non biodegradable hydrogel technology called 2.5% crosslinked polyacrylamide (PAAG) in water. When injected into the knee Arthrosamid cushions the joint and reduces pain. Research has shown that it becomes incorporated into the lining of the joint (synovium) acting as a protective barrier to inflammation and degradation of cartilage.
Because it does not degrade it can provide long lasting relief of at least 3 years according to long term follow up in human studies. It can be repeated if necessary. It does not prejudice other subsequent treatments such as surgery..
There are no serious side effects. Only mild soreness for a few days after the injection. The overall safety profile of the hydrogel has been established over 20 years by animal studies and it has been in regular use treating horses for several years.
After injection of 6 mls into the knee relief can come within a few days and gradually increase over 4 -12 weeks. Avoid strenuous activity for the first few days and then progress with more activity and strengthening the leg muscles over the next few weeks.
Because it is a foreign material we advise one off antibiotic cover taken orally 2 hours before receiving the injection. This is prescribed by the treating physician. Local anaesthetic is applied to reduce the discomfort of the actual injection.
We have now performed this procedure at Oving Clinic several times including once in the hip joint and once in the base of the thumb joint. It’s use in other joints is offlabel – which means it is licenced only for the knee at present.
Like any treatment success is not guaranteed and overall pooled results indicate that good or excellent relief can be obtained in up to 70% of cases of all grades of severity. For more illustrations of the technique see https://arthrosamid.com/
Dr John Tanner and Dr Peter Morgan September 2023
