Aftercare and return to activity
Arthrosamid® recovery timeline
What to expect on treatment day and over the following weeks, including activity, work, driving, a temporary flare and symptoms that need medical advice.
Reviewed byProfessor Paul YF Lee MBBch, FRCS (Tr & Orth), PhDCartilage and joint preservation expertiseQuick answer
Arthrosamid is an outpatient knee injection, but the knee needs a short period of relative rest. The published cohort protocol advised rest for 24 hours and no strenuous activity for 72 hours. Improvement may develop over the following weeks rather than immediately.
Recovery by phase
What to do, and when
Treatment day
A quiet remainder of the day
The procedure is outpatient. The team confirms written aftercare and the contact route for concerns. Plan a quiet day, keep the injection site clean and use only medicines agreed with the treating team.
First 24–48 hours
Relative rest and symptom monitoring
The published cohort protocol advised rest for 24 hours. Short necessary walking is different from exercise. Avoid long walks, heavy lifting, running and gym sessions while the knee settles.
First 72 hours
Avoid strenuous activity
The published protocol advised no strenuous activity for 72 hours. After that, build activity gradually according to the knee's response and your individual plan.
Following weeks
Return to work, exercise and normal activity
Desk work may be possible earlier than work involving standing, kneeling, lifting, climbing or driving. Return to sport and higher-load exercise depends on the knee, baseline function and any coexisting diagnosis.
Around six weeks
Early clinical review
The clinic reviews recovery, symptoms, function and the next stage of activity. Contact the team earlier if symptoms are worsening or not following the expected path.
Flare or warning sign?
Know when to contact the clinic
Mild temporary discomfort, stiffness or swelling can fit a post-injection flare if it begins to settle. Reduce load and follow the written advice rather than testing the knee with strenuous activity.
Increasing or severe pain, progressive swelling, a hot or red knee, wound discharge, fever, chills or feeling systemically unwell needs prompt medical advice. Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms require urgent same-day assessment.
Read the infection action guide and the side-effects and risks guide.
Recovery questions
Can I walk after an Arthrosamid injection?
Essential gentle walking is normally possible, but follow the instructions provided on the day. The published cohort protocol advised rest for the first 24 hours and avoiding strenuous activity for 72 hours.
When can I exercise after Arthrosamid?
Avoid strenuous activity for the first 72 hours, then increase activity gradually if pain and swelling are settling. Return to strengthening, impact exercise and sport should follow the plan agreed for your knee.
When should Arthrosamid start working?
Improvement is not necessarily immediate and may develop over the following weeks. The clinic uses a six-week review to assess the early response. Published group outcomes do not predict the onset, size or duration of an individual response.
Is a flare after Arthrosamid normal?
Temporary pain, stiffness or swelling can occur. A mild flare should trend towards settling. Increasing pain, heat, redness or swelling—especially with fever, chills or feeling unwell—needs prompt medical advice.
Can I drive after the injection?
Do not drive until you can enter and leave the vehicle safely, control it fully, make an emergency stop and are not impaired by pain or medication. Check any insurer requirements that apply to you.
Am I Suitable?
Take the Arthrosamid® Suitability Assessment
Answer eight short questions on the dedicated assessment page to organise the information relevant to your consultation. The questionnaire is a decision aid and does not diagnose knee pain or confirm treatment suitability.
Start the Suitability Assessment
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