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Arthrosamid® knee injections in Tunbridge Wells: one treatment, designed to last
A single injection of soft gel into the knee, to ease osteoarthritis pain without an operation. At Vale it’s given under ultrasound guidance, after a free consultation to make sure it suits you.
Free first consultation, with no obligation · CQC-registered clinic on Vale Road
£2,400Per knee, with a free consultation first
KneesMild to severe osteoarthritis
LocalAnaesthetic only, no operation
1 injectionGuided by ultrasound
24 hoursOf rest, then lighter activity
A patient’s view
Steven’s Arthrosamid® experience
Actor Steven Hartley describes how knee arthritis started to limit an active life, and what his Arthrosamid® treatment with our team was like. This is his own experience, and results differ from person to person.
Knee osteoarthritis, often just called knee arthritis, happens when the smooth cartilage that cushions the joint gradually thins. The knee can become painful, stiff and sometimes swollen. For one person it’s an ache after a long walk; for another it makes stairs, gardening, sport or sleeping difficult.
Arthritis can’t be reversed, so treatment aims to control symptoms. That usually means exercise and physiotherapy, losing weight if needed, painkillers, a knee support, and injections such as steroids or hyaluronic acid. If these stop working well enough, a knee replacement is often the next conversation.
For people who want to put off or avoid surgery, Arthrosamid® is a newer option that’s intended to last longer than other injections.
Arthrosamid® is a permanent gel implant made of 2.5% polyacrylamide and 97.5% water. Its technical name is iPAAG, short for injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel. It’s licensed for adults with knee osteoarthritis, to relieve symptoms.
The whole treatment is one injection into the knee, given as a short outpatient procedure here at Vale. The body doesn’t break the gel down, which is why it’s seen as a longer-lasting option for people who’d otherwise need repeated injections.
What it won’t do: Arthrosamid® doesn’t cure arthritis, repair damage to the joint or grow new cartilage. Its aim is to ease pain and stiffness.
Why people choose it
What Arthrosamid® may offer
Drawn from published studies and the manufacturer’s information. Everyone responds differently, and it isn’t suitable for every knee.
No operation
One injection with local anaesthetic. No cuts, no general anaesthetic and no hospital stay.
Less pain
In clinical studies, many people’s knee pain scores went down after treatment.
Long-lasting
Published follow-up shows average improvements still present five years after a single injection.
Easier movement
Studies also found improvements in stiffness and everyday activities, such as walking and stairs.
Is this right for you?Find out at a free consultation, with no obligation.
Inside the knee is a thin lining called the synovium. It makes the fluid that keeps the joint moving smoothly. With osteoarthritis, this lining often becomes inflamed, known as synovitis, and that’s an important cause of pain.
The manufacturer explains that the gel becomes part of this lining, making it softer and more flexible. The idea is that this cushions the joint, eases pain and lets the knee move more freely.
01
Assessment
A free appointment to go through your symptoms and history, examine and scan your knee, and talk about whether Arthrosamid® or something else is the better fit.
02
Injection
If it’s right for you, the gel is injected into the knee with local anaesthetic, guided by ultrasound.
03
Follow-up
We see how the knee is settling, check your progress and give you exercises to support it.
The evidence
What do the studies show?
Contura, the company that makes Arthrosamid®, publishes how many people in its studies improved. Here, “improved” means their pain score on the WOMAC questionnaire was lower than before treatment.
Results by age group, based on the change in WOMAC pain score. Source: Contura, Arthrosamid® results. These figures describe the people in particular studies and can’t predict how you’ll respond. Tap the chart to see it larger.
The figures at a glance
Age group
Improved
No change
Worse
Under 70
79%
14%
6%
70 and over
63%
14%
23%
Everyone
73%
14%
13%
Most people’s pain scores went down, more often in the under-70s. About one person in seven had no change, and some had more pain afterwards, especially those aged 70 and over.
What the numbers can’t tell you
They describe the people who took part in particular studies, not everyone who has had the treatment.
Results depend on how a study was run, how many people took part, how long they were followed and how improvement was measured. WOMAC is a widely used arthritis questionnaire covering pain, stiffness and day-to-day function.
A randomised trial found Arthrosamid® worked about as well as a hyaluronic acid injection after one year, with improvements lasting to three years [1, 2].
Your own result may be different. We’ll explain what the research means for your knee.
How long it lasts
How long could the effect last?
The gel stays in the knee, so Arthrosamid® is designed to keep working over the long term. In a study that followed people for five years after one injection, improvements in pain were maintained on average, with no new safety concerns [3].
That’s an average, and the long-term studies involved small groups, so your experience may differ. If the benefit fades, we can talk about whether a further injection makes sense.
“In her own words
A second patient on Arthrosamid®
Hear another of our patients talk through her Arthrosamid® treatment and how her knee has been since.
This is her personal experience. Everyone responds differently.
We ask about your knee, your general health, any medicines and what you’ve already tried, and look at any previous scans. We examine your knee and scan it with ultrasound.
02
Step 2 of 4
Talking through your options
We explain Arthrosamid® and the alternatives, including the costs and risks, and answer your questions. You can take as long as you need to decide, and you don’t have to go ahead.
03
Step 3 of 4
Your injection
If Arthrosamid® is suitable, the skin over the knee is numbed and the gel is injected into the joint under ultrasound guidance. The injection itself is quick, and you walk out the same day.
04
Step 4 of 4
Aftercare
We advise resting the knee for the first 24 hours and avoiding strenuous activity, such as running, tennis or long walks, for the first few days. Then build up gradually. We’ll advise you on when to return to sport, give you exercises, and book a follow-up to see how you’re doing.
Step 1 of 4
Is it for you?
Is Arthrosamid® right for your knee?
Arthrosamid® is licensed for adults with knee osteoarthritis, and people with mild, moderate or severe arthritis may all be suitable. It isn’t for everyone, though, so every treatment at Vale begins with a free consultation.
We’ll look at your symptoms, history and any scans, explain what’s involved, and recommend what we think will help you most, even if that isn’t Arthrosamid®.
Injection Therapist and Chiropractor, Clinic Director
GCC 03996
Dr Gabriel Azzini
Doctor, Sport & Exercise Medicine
GMC 7689922
Registered and regulated
Google reviews
What our patients say
5.0from 150 Google reviews
Hyaluronic acid★★★★★
I first saw Gary for a consultation regarding the arthritis in my knees with a view to having a hyaluronic acid injection. Gary was extremely knowledgeable and went through all the options before suggesting which would be the best option for me.
Paula F. · 2025 · Google review
Knee injection★★★★★
My mum had acute knee pain which has been treated at the clinic, she now has much better mobility and positive outlook due to the treatment received. Gary has been so helpful and supportive throughout the consultation and treatment.
Robert C. · 2024 · Google review
Cortisone injection★★★★★
I recently had an ultrasound guided cortisone injection with Gary… Gary took the time to explain everything clearly before the procedure which really put me at ease, not easy when you’re not a fan of needles! The process itself was essentially pain free.
James T. · 2026 · Google review
Frozen shoulder★★★★★
Gary helped me with my frozen shoulder. He was very thorough, professional and informative. I was given a cortisone injection, which he talked me through. During the procedure he was calming and efficient.
Annette P. · 2026 · Google review
Stem cell★★★★★
I cannot thank Gary and Gabriel enough for the stem cell treatment they gave me. When I started my treatment my tendonitis was so bad in my elbows that I couldn’t carry my little children, drive the car or do my day job without getting in severe pain.
Arthrosamid® is a gel made of 2.5% polyacrylamide and 97.5% water. It’s injected once into the knee joint to ease the pain and stiffness of knee osteoarthritis in adults.
Which joints can it be used for?
At Vale, we use Arthrosamid® for the knee only. It doesn’t cure arthritis or rebuild cartilage; its aim is to make the knee more comfortable.
How does it work?
The manufacturer describes the gel settling into the soft lining of the knee (the synovium), making it softer and more elastic. The aim is to cushion the joint and reduce pain.
How long does it last?
The gel isn’t broken down by the body. In published studies, people’s pain was still reduced on average five years after one injection, although those long-term studies involved small groups and results vary.
How soon might I feel a difference?
Some people notice an improvement within a few weeks, while for others it takes up to around three months. Some people notice little or no change.
Am I suitable?
Many adults with mild to severe knee osteoarthritis may be suitable, but not everyone. For example, it isn’t used if there’s an infection in or near the knee. We check this at your free consultation.
What are the risks or side effects?
The most common are temporary pain, swelling or stiffness in the knee for a few days. As with any injection, there’s a small risk of infection. We go through the risks with you before you decide.
What happens at the free consultation?
We talk through your symptoms and history, examine and scan your knee, and explain Arthrosamid® alongside the other options. There’s no pressure and no obligation to go ahead.
How does it compare with other knee injections?
Steroid injections can settle a flare-up but usually wear off within weeks or months. Hyaluronic acid injections, such as Durolane, Ostenil Plus and Cingal, may help for several months. Arthrosamid® is a one-off treatment intended to last longer, and it costs more. We’ll help you weigh them up.
Can I still have a knee replacement later?
Arthrosamid® doesn’t rule out future surgery. If you’re considering a knee replacement, we’ll talk it through with you, and it’s worth discussing with your surgeon too.
Got another question?Ask us at your consultation. You don’t have to go ahead.
ClinicVale Health Clinic, 31–33 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1BS
References
Bliddal H, Beier J, Hartkopp A, Conaghan PG, Henriksen M. Polyacrylamide gel versus hyaluronic acid for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled study. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2024;42(9):1729–1735. doi:10.55563/clinexprheumatol/i3fqee
Bliddal H, Beier J, Hartkopp A, Conaghan PG, Henriksen M. Three-year follow-up from a randomised controlled trial of a single intra-articular polyacrylamide hydrogel injection in subjects with knee osteoarthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2026;44(5):996–1003. doi:10.55563/clinexprheumatol/5lofry
Bliddal H, Hartkopp A, Beier J, Conaghan PG, Henriksen M. A prospective, open-label, clinical investigation of a single intra-articular polyacrylamide hydrogel injection in participants with knee osteoarthritis: a 5-year extension study. J Orthop Surg Res 2025;21(1):43. doi:10.1186/s13018-025-06526-0
Contura International Ltd. Arthrosamid® results, including results by age: arthrosamid.com/results
This page gives general information about Arthrosamid® and isn’t a substitute for personal medical advice. Arthrosamid® isn’t suitable for everyone, and results vary. Arthrosamid® is a registered trademark of Contura International Ltd; Vale Health Clinic is an independent clinic. Written by Gary Edwards, Injection Therapist (PG Cert Injection Therapy) and Chiropractor (GCC 03996). Last updated 15 October 2026.
