Runner with knee pain, introducing common osteoarthritis symptoms

Arthrosamid® Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis

Harley Street, London | Led by Professor Paul Y.F. Lee

Arthrosamid® (a registered trademark of Contura A/S.).

Relief & Protect

Arthrosamid® at London Cartilage Clinic

Treatment at a glance

Location
66 Harley Street, London
Treatment
Ultrasound-guided Arthrosamid® knee injection
Best suited for
Selected patients with knee osteoarthritis
Led by
Professor Paul Y.F. Lee
Price
From £3,000One box. See cost guide for two/three-box pricing.
Includes
Consultation, ultrasound, injection, protocol, six-week follow-up
Access
Self-funded private treatment (not NHS or PMI)
Next step
Free discovery call or suitability assessment

Am I Suitable?

Take the Arthrosamid® Suitability Assessment

Eight quick questions to support a shared decision-making conversation about Arthrosamid®. Your answers stay with you across visits, so you can pick up where you left off.

Will Arthrosamid work for me?

Arthrosamid® suitability questionnaire

Completed 0/8

Question 1 of 8

How old are you?

Older age associated with higher odds of benefit in your cohort.

Please select an option before moving to the next question.

Expertise & Innovation

The UK Authority in Arthrosamid® Knee Injection

Arthrosamid® is a long-acting injection used to manage symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.

In London, Arthrosamid® treatment is led by Professor Paul Y.F. Lee, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, medical engineer, and recognised UK authority in joint preservation and regenerative-aware knee care.

Professor Lee was the first clinician to perform Arthrosamid® knee injections in the UK and has developed a specialist, experience-led protocol based on large-volume clinical practice.

Arthrosamid syringe kit illustrating the permanent hydrogel knee injection treatment
Advanced Treatment

What Is Arthrosamid®?

Arthrosamid® is made from a polyacrylamide hydrogel, a non-biodegradable, biocompatible material designed to remain inside the knee joint.

Unlike steroid or hyaluronic acid injections, Arthrosamid®:

  • Is not absorbed by the body
  • Remains in the joint long-term
  • Acts as a mechanical cushion
  • Symptom improvement lasting months

It does not regenerate cartilage and is not a cure for arthritis.

How Arthrosamid® Works
in the Knee

Inside the joint, Arthrosamid®:

  • Improves joint lubrication
  • Reduces mechanical stress on damaged cartilage
  • Enhances shock absorption
  • Helps reduce pain, stiffness, and functional limitation

It is best considered a joint-preserving treatment, helping patients remain active and delay more invasive surgery when appropriate.

Who Arthrosamid® Is
Best Suited For

Arthrosamid® is not a routine injection. Outcomes depend heavily on patient selection.

You may be a good candidate if:

You have mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis

You are middle-aged or older

You do not have diabetes

Both knees are symptomatic and being treated

You want improvement, not complete cure

Your goal is to delay knee replacement, not necessarily avoid it forever

We assess suitability using a structured Arthrosamid® suitability framework, developed from clinical data and patient outcomes.

Runner experiencing knee pain during activity
Runner in motion, representing active patients seeking longer-lasting relief
Older couple dancing, representing mobility and quality-of-life goals
Arthrosamid packaging in clinic, representing specialist treatment delivery

When Arthrosamid® May
Be Less Suitable

Arthrosamid® may be less effective if:

  • Your arthritis is advanced or bone-on-bone

  • The knee is severely unstable or deformed

  • You are already close to needing knee replacement

  • You expect a single injection to 'fix' the knee completely

Honest Clinical Advice

In these cases, benefit may be limited or temporary, and alternatives are discussed openly to ensure you receive the most appropriate care for your specific condition.

Independent Clinical
Study Experience

Our use of Arthrosamid® is informed by an independent, clinician-led clinical study, not sponsored by the manufacturer.

Professor Paul Y.F. Lee with Arthrosamid during independent clinical study work
800 patients
1,000 knees
Prospective follow-up
60 months
Pain, function, complications, and progression recorded

This allows us to give real-world, balanced advice, rather than relying on promotional claims.

Choosing Where To Have Arthrosamid®

Why choose London Cartilage Clinic for Arthrosamid®?

Seven things that distinguish Arthrosamid® at London Cartilage Clinic from a generic injection appointment.

  • Experienced Arthrosamid® team

    Professor Paul Lee was the first clinician to perform Arthrosamid® knee injections in the UK and has now treated over 600 patients. Our team has more Arthrosamid® cases on the published outcome database than any other UK provider.

    Meet Professor Lee
  • Consultant-led assessment

    Every patient is assessed by Professor Lee in person. The clinician you see at consultation is the clinician who delivers the injection. No hand-off to a less experienced operator.

    Who is suitable?
  • Ultrasound-guided treatment

    Every Arthrosamid® injection is delivered under real-time ultrasound guidance, not by anatomical landmark alone. Accurate intra-articular placement is fundamental to the result.

    How treatment works
  • Independent clinical study experience

    We publish real-world outcome data from over 600 treated patients. This informs suitability decisions before treatment and sets realistic expectations afterwards.

    See the evidence
  • Conservative safety protocol

    A deliberately conservative infection-prevention protocol, including routine IV antibiotic cover and sterile technique standards above the typical outpatient norm.

    Infection protocol
  • Clear self-funded pricing

    Fixed pricing from £3,000, inclusive of consultation, ultrasound, the product, the protocol and the six-week follow-up. No surprise add-ons.

    See Arthrosamid cost
  • Follow-up and rehabilitation

    Six-week clinical review included as standard, with onward physiotherapy guidance and a direct line to the team during recovery. Aftercare is part of the treatment, not an add-on.

    Free discovery call

Safety First: Why Our London Protocol Is Different

Professor Paul Y.F. Lee has now:

Personally performed

1,000+

Arthrosamid® injections

Led a clinical group with

2,000+

injections

Key safety principles include:

Some aspects of this protocol are intentionally not shared, as they form part of our internal safety practice.

Are all Arthrosamid Injections the Same?

Not all clinics provide the same level of care. Professor Paul Lee at the London Cartilage Clinic explains why technique, precision, and clinical experience are the deciding factors in your treatment outcome.

Precision Guided

Every injection is administered using advanced ultrasound guidance to ensure 100% accuracy within the joint capsule.

Specialist Led

Treatment is overseen by multi-disciplinary experts specialising in cartilage repair and joint preservation.

Tailored Aftercare

Beyond the injection, we provide a bespoke rehabilitation protocol to maximize your long-term mobility.

Harley Street Excellence

Access world-class clinical facilities in the heart of London’s premier medical district.

Infection Risk &
Important Context

Infection is a risk with any joint injection.

With Arthrosamid®, infection is a particularly serious issue because the material is permanent.

Historical Complications in Literature:

There are published medical papers describing complications from related polyacrylamide hydrogel products (often under the name Aquamid), mainly relating to:

  • Cosmetic soft-tissue injections
  • Large volumes
  • Non-joint use

These are not directly comparable to modern, image-guided knee injections, but they are important context and are discussed openly. Patients who wish to read this literature can be directed to the paper.

Consultation covering infection risk and informed consent for Arthrosamid® treatment
Treatment Comparison

Clinical Longevity & Performance

Comparing Arthrosamid® with traditional knee injection protocols to help you make an informed clinical decision.

Arthrosamid®

Recommended

Typical Duration

Up to 2 Years

Relief Type

Long-term

Key Considerations

  • Non-biodegradable single injection
  • Requires specialist safety protocols

PRP Therapy

Biological
6-9Months

Mixed clinical evidence regarding long-term efficacy.

Hyaluronic Acid

Lubrication
4-6Months

Temporary symptom relief, variable benefit.

Steroid Injection

Anti-inflammatory
2-12Weeks

Short-term acute relief only.

*Duration of efficacy varies by individual patient factors, severity of osteoarthritis, and clinical indications. Please consult with our medical team for a personalised assessment.

Harley Street clinic interior where specialist consultations take place
Professor Paul Y.F. Lee preparing specialist imaging-guided knee treatment

Arthrosamid® Treatment in Harley Street, London

Arthrosamid® injections are performed by Professor Paul Y.F. Lee at specialist clinics in Harley Street, London.

All patients undergo:

  • Consultant-led assessment
  • Imaging review (X-ray ± MRI)
  • Arthrosamid® suitability assessment
  • Shared decision-making discussion

Patients are referred nationally and internationally for Professor Lee’s experience in complex knee osteoarthritis and joint preservation.

Is Arthrosamid® Right for You?

Arthrosamid® can be an excellent option for the right patient, but it requires:

Careful selection
Realistic expectations
Acceptance of a cautious safety protocol (including IV antibiotics)

If these principles align with your goals, Arthrosamid® may be appropriate.

Professor Paul Y.F. Lee reviewing MRI imaging for knee treatment planning

Common Questions About Arthrosamid®

Frequently asked questions

Six of the most common questions patients ask about Arthrosamid®. For the full patient FAQ, see the full Arthrosamid® patient FAQ.

How much does Arthrosamid cost in the UK?

Arthrosamid at London Cartilage Clinic costs from £3,000 for one box, £5,500 for two boxes, or £8,000 for three boxes. Each price is inclusive of consultation, ultrasound, the Arthrosamid product, the published fifteen-step injection protocol and a six-week follow-up. Most patients are treated with one box per joint. See the Arthrosamid cost guide for full pricing detail.

Is Arthrosamid available on the NHS?

No. Arthrosamid is not routinely funded by the NHS and is not currently covered by major UK private medical insurers, including Bupa and AXA. Patients access Arthrosamid privately on a self-funded basis. Read the full Arthrosamid funding and insurance guide.

Does Arthrosamid really work?

Published outcome data for Arthrosamid in knee osteoarthritis shows on average two to three years of symptom relief from a single injection in suitable patients. Individual outcomes vary by stage of arthritis, body weight and activity level, and not every patient is a candidate. See the Arthrosamid clinical evidence page for our real-world outcome data from over 600 treated patients.

What are the risks of Arthrosamid?

Reported side effects include short-term injection-site pain, swelling and stiffness. The most serious risk is joint infection, which is rare but warrants a conservative prevention protocol. London Cartilage Clinic uses ultrasound guidance, sterile technique and routine IV antibiotic cover. See side effects and safety and infection risk and prevention for the full picture.

How long does Arthrosamid last?

Published outcome data for the knee shows symptom relief lasting on average two to three years from a single Arthrosamid injection, with continued benefit established by twelve weeks. Most patients begin to notice improvement at four to six weeks. Arthrosamid is a long-acting cushion, not a regenerative treatment, and is not a cure for arthritis.

Who performs Arthrosamid treatment at London Cartilage Clinic?

Arthrosamid at London Cartilage Clinic is delivered by Professor Paul Y.F. Lee, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. Professor Lee was the first clinician to perform Arthrosamid knee injections in the UK and developed the published fifteen-step injection protocol used at London Cartilage Clinic.

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