Arthrosamid

Gloria126

Hi, I’m Gloria and have severe knee arthritis and now need knee replacements, however before going through this, I have come across, via the internet, this new injectable treatment called Arthrasomid, a recently licensed treatment for knee osteoarthritis. It’s not yet available on the NHS and is quite expensive privately.

Have any of you in this community heard of it or had the treatment? I would be very grateful if you could let me know if you have found it successful, Would be very grateful for any comments or advice. Thanks

chrisb

Hi @Gloria126  

Welcome to the versus arthritis forum. 

You suffer with knee arthritis and are considering knee replacements. You’ve recently heard about a treatment called Arthrasomid and would like to hear from any forum members who have come across this treatment. 

It’s certainly not anything I’ve come across before and searching the forum plus our website there’s no mention. This doesn’t mean that there won’t be any members who have heard of it. 

I hope you receive some useful feedback/advice. 

Best Wishes

ChrisB (Moderator)

frogmorton

Hi @Gloria126 there do seem to be trials going on.

I am so cautious about anything which isn't NHS approved to be honest but that's just me.

It seems to be licensed for knees in the UK (maybe).

Personally I'd wait until the results of the trial (looks like they are 5 years though), but can understand anyone wanting to give it a go now.

If you go ahead will you let is know how you get on?

See this thread someone here tried it:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/58110/arthrosamid

Toni x

LPark

Hi, I'm Lynne and 2 days ago I had the Arthrosamid injection at Spire Warrington. As a lot of people have been asking about I am happy to give a regular updates on my experience.

I have severe OA of the right knee which was exacerbated by a fall at work 3 years ago and the pain and reduced mobility I have suffered has been intense. Fortunately I'm now retired so haven't had to cope with a work schedule but it has all been very debilitating and the constant pain is wearing. I have been offered a full knee replacement but I am reluctant to go this route for many reasons and was looking for an alternative apart from steroid injection which I have had and provided very short relief.

Arthrosamid is expensive and it is not currently available on the NHS and I decided to go for it. It has been used successfully in Denmark for many years and I believe they are using it in Australia. Here in the UK I believe it's been used for about 3 years and the results are positive, although it doesn't apparently work for everyone.

The procedure itself is straight forward. I initially saw a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who assessed my condition and eligibility for it and it was a consultant radiologist who carried out the procedure which was ultrasound guided. On the day I was given 6 antibiotic tablets about an hour before the injection which is part of the procedure. I'm not allergic to them but my stomach was a bit upset for about 24hrs after but has since passed.

The injection process itself took about about half an hour altogether including formalities, consent forms etc. I was given a couple of locals and didn't really feel much except for a few pricks etc. I was able to walk and to drive home, albeit with an automatic car.

When the locals wore off later in the day I did feel a bit uncomfortable with swelling of the knee, particularly at the back of the knee and also the injection site. The radiologist did warn this could happen and I will be having a review with the orthopoedic surgeon in about a month's time when presumably it will be easier to assess how it has all gone for me.

My stomach has settled down, I think the issue was from the large dose of antibiotics and most of the swelling is settling down now 2 days on and I'm feeling a bit more comfortable. The pain at the back of the knee also is settling down.

It's very early days - it's a process as Arthrosamid has to mix/bind with the sinovial fluid in the knee to form a gel. I was told that by 3 months post injection the situation then would be at its most effective. Apparently there are top-ups if necessary, but I haven't asked much about these - other than have been told they are available. I was also told Arthrosamid doesn't affect TKR if someone has to go that route at a later stage.

My knee is feeling slightly better generally today although the most painful part for me was always the inner side of the knee and this is still apparent and whilst I was doing some gardening today I had to strap up for support as I have been doing. If this marginal improvement is the best Arthrosamid give me, I will be disappointed, BUT it is very early days and I am hopeful things will improve as it takes it's course/process.

My home has lots of steps and stairs (not good for someone with knee issues!) and today I managed to go up stairs normally for the first time in years, instead of one step at a time, so that's progress. Coming down is still not particularly good and I still have to do that one step with both feet at a time

I could find very little in the way of independent reviews which is why I am keen to report my experience and progress.

I will update again

jonr

Thanks for the update @LPark - Arthrosamid was a treatment I was considering as an alternative to a double TKR and it's still on the back burner as such. I spoke with several consultants during my initial data gathering phase because it is expensive and there is scant information available on this treatment's safety where UK guidelines are concerned. I gather it's not subject to the same rigorous tests as other treatments and I wondered why, I believe it's because it's not classed as a medical precedure but a cosmetic one so doesn't qualify. I gather it's effective for the majority of patients but not all and there is some discussion over how long it's effective for but for those it doesn't do much if anything for, there's no possibility of getting any of their money back. I'm fortunate in that I'm managing my condition very well and have been cleared for the double TKR which I'm hoping to stave off until later life (I'm 57), but nonetheless I would be very interested to hear more about your experience over the forthcoming weeks and months. I hope it is successful for you.

Poppyjane

Welcome @LPark to the online community

Thank you for sharing your first post with your experience of Arthrosamid, it will be very helpful for anyone considering the different treatments available for knee problems. Please do keep posting to let us know how you are getting on. I hope you will join in with other activities and discussions, there is always a lot to read and share.

Best wishes

Poppyjane

LPark

It's now 4 days since my Arthrosamid injection. The consultant radiologist who administered it said to give it a month, so it's very early days. Things do seem to be settling down and I am noticing small improvements every day. I am hopeful this progress will continue.

I probably won't post again until around the one month mark when I hopefully will have something positive to report.

Thank you to those who have messaged me.

Best wishes to all

SoniaR

I have read about this procedure and it does sound exciting, but it’s claimed to only work for 76% of patients, so knowing my luck it won’t work for me! My private Orthopaedic Consultant surgeon does not offer this procedure, in fact none of my local private hospital surgeons do (not mentioned on their website) but I will ask him at my next appointment. It would be nice to get a professional opinion. There are several clinics that do offer it, but I think I would prefer more trials before I try it.

LPark

Here I am again - 4 weeks on from the Arthrosamid injection into my right knee. The consultanI said "give it a month" and I have.
For a week or so following the injection my knee did feel 'interferred with' - it swelled a bit and ached, particularly at the back of the knee. The consultant did warn this might happen and of course it did but it has settled down. I was also told it works to maximum effect over a period of about 3 months when it then plateaus, so hopefully still some time for further improvement. I've got to say I'm not in as much pain as previously and I can now walk short distances without a stick but do still need a stick if walking longer distances or up/downhill. I still use a strap below the knee for support but am not too bothered about that as I mostly wear trousers/long skirts/dresses. I'm not having to use pain relief patches as previously on an almost daily basis and have managed to stop taking BoswelIia and pain relief and can manage stairs a bit better. I'm enjoying spending more time in the kitchen again as previously cooking was a painful experience with the standing and walking involved when preparing a meal. I am sleeping better as I am not disturbed by movement pain when trying to sleep. I can get in and out of chairs better. I have severe OA in the right knee on the inner side and the pain there has been constant and severe for 3 years since a fall at work brought it on with a vengeance - not pleasant at all !! I'm trying to avoid knee replacement which I was told was my route. I still get twinges and some less severe pain at the inner side of the knee where it's almost bone on bone but I'm generally encouraged by the progress so far and currently feel more able to take on some acItivities which previously I just knew I couldn't contemplate. I will give it until the 3 months plateau and see how things are then, when apparently it's the best it's going to be. I'll speak then to my surgeon (unless he contacts me sooner) and will ask if necessary whether a top-up to get to the inner-side knee pain is feasible. I have been told by the medics that top-ups are available, but obviously at a cost. As for value for money (approx £2.500) - the jury is still out for me at the moment. I'm trying to be as open and truthful as I can to be of help to others, as I couldn't find much unbiased comment on it previously. If I can get a little more improvement, especially on my inner side and less reliance on using a stick, I will think it's worth it. If I have to have a top-up at additional cost and that in turn gets me to where I would like to be and it lasts, then it definitely will be a game changer for me and in my view worth the cost.

I will come back on this forum in 2 months time and give a further update.

My best wishes to everyone reading this - I hope my experience so far is helpful to you.

mge

an update.. To remind you I had both knees injected in March but very one sided progress which was getting me down. My left knee just wasn’t getting any better while my right was improving, so I knew this could work for me.
In June I had a top up of a half dose in my left knee. Unlike my initial injections which gave me gradual improvement over many weeks, the top up did nothing for seven weeks and then I awoke a week ago to realising my clicking and pain were gone in my left.
Both my knees are now vastly improved since my initial treatment in March. It has been a slow and gradual journey but I can stand and walk more easily. I still get some pain and stiffness but feel much better. My sleep is pain free and my painkiller usage is almost none.
The top up in my left has been really worth doing so do talk to your consultant if you’re not making progress and explore whether you could have a further half dose if you need it.

kitkat

Hi mge,

This is very encouraging. I am 11 weeks in after my bilateral injections. My right knee was the one with all the pain and around 5 weeks after the injection it felt pretty good and definitely reduced pain. However in the past couple of weeks I have had a lot of pain, swelling, clicking and stiffness which has been disappointing. I will have a review with consultant in a few weeks so may ask about a top up. However it may be too soon. I am glad to hear you are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Can I ask, are you able to walk quite a good distance now and for longer? Look forward to your reply. 😊

mge

Hi @kitkat i can probably walk a good distance for me compared to how I was. Maybe a mile or so and I would probably take a stick. I have stage 4 OA in both knees and have been really incapacitated. For me it is the everyday pain reduction and being able to stand etc which is the game changer. My turnaround in the left is only a week old and I’ve not tested it much.

kitkat

Hi mgr, that’s good to hear your managing to stand and walk a bit. My right knee is stage 4 and left stage 3

I will let you know how I get on once I have been to see consultant for review
Thanks again much appreciated 😊

LPark

Here I am with my 12 week update following Arthrosamid injection into my right knee.

According to what I have read 12 weeks is about the plateau regarding the benefits of the injection. This is the point at which it is about as good as it's going to be, apparently.

On the whole I am glad I undertook the injection as I am not in the excruciating pain I was in which limited so much of what I could do. I always walked with a stick and wore pain patches and support straps etc. I had to stop the pain relief patches due to a heavy rash they gave me.

Today I would say I am about 70 to 75 per cent improved - not fully out of pain and there are still limitations to what I feel I can undertake, but I can now do things without the aid of a stick although I do still wear an elasticated tube knee support or a knee support strap during times when I am most active. I'm also getting better sleep as my OA would wake me most nights. That appears to have stopped thankfully.

As with so many things, cooking meals was also a trial due to the standing/walking involved and providing I wear a knee support, I am now able to enjoy cooking again. I can do more in my garden, too. Overall, generally I'm a lot better providing I don't overdo things.

Pain, as most of you know is wearing and debilitating and drags you down. That, fortunately, has improved greatly. I now want to discuss with my consultant about a top-up and whether that might take me on further from the progress already made. My OA was severe, particularly at the inner side of the knee where I was largely bone-on-bone and this is where the pain will still sometimes strike. My consultant offers a telephone consultation at around 6 months post injection at a cost and I am in the process of trying to bring that forward to explore if it will work for me.

I hope this and my previous posts have been helpful.

With very best wishes to all

Lynne