My Arthrosamid experience

nobblyknees2

I have been looking online and not a lot of experience to gain knowledge from so here is my experience. I hope it helps someone. I had Arthrosamid injections in both knees this morning. A little of my history. 50yr old female, 60kg . I used to run, be very active and could walk for miles no issues. Gradually became more painful and running had to stop, however very much on the go still but grin and bearing the pain and adapting what I did to compensate. I also do pole, aerial fitness etc which I am still able to do. I was diagnosed with stage 4 OA patches in both knees and stage 3. Also meniscus tears in both knees and bone spurs. I was managing to walk ok but pain and flare ups more often, stiffness and severe swelling in one or both knees quite often locking if the knees and also had constant baker’s cysts. 
Had MRI to establish the above diagnosis and whilst discussing my results I was told that all tendons and ligaments were good, however past the stage where physio would greatly benefit and the only solution would be TKR: Hyaluronic acid or steroid injections could offer short term pain relief, but not change the outcome of needed TKR. However be there is the option to have Arthosamid or Nstride but I would have better results with Arthrosamid and could possibly delay the need for the TKR for a considerable amount of time if not Imminently. Given the facts that it may only work for 70% of cases. Forward onto today..
The procedure was extremely quick and just a little pain from the local anaesthetic. As the arthosamid was injected I did get a sensation that the knee was filling. I did feel a little dizzy but think that was from the 2000mg dose of antibiotics I had to take one hour before the procedure. All done very quickly and pretty painless. Was told to not do anything strenuous and take pain relief and ice for upto 5 days by which time swelling should go down. Was told that could resume exercise after 2 weeks but needed to let the arthosamid do its thing with synovial fluid and listen to my body. I should have no problem running again etc. Which I was thrilled to hear. After 1 hr I could feel tightness in both knees and a little stinging sensation from the injection site, legs felt heavy. After 4 hours swelling continues and was worse in my left than my right. Seems to be above and around my left knee front and back restricting its movement and quite painful. Right knee slightly swollen. 8hrs later. Painful to walk as the anaesthetic has worn off and needing to ice both knees. Left still very swollen but no worse than at 4hrs. Right knee slightly swollen. I will keep you informed

noddingtonpete

Hello @nobblyknees2 so how are you getting on the day after? Hope the pain is easing.

nobblyknees2

Thank you! Yes easing. Update.. the night after the procedure was not too bad, but did sleep ok just forgot when moving and cause sudden pain which did tend to wake me up with a start. The following morning. Painful stomach which I think is down to the big does of antibiotics. Knees still stiff but definitely better than the day before. Less pain but still swollen not as solid now and still more in the left than the right. Difficult to do stairs etc but not impossible. Bakers cysts seems to have grown and need to push the back of the knee to bend. I have continued to ice and take pain relief but knee does feel full and can feel stiff when walking but not much pain. Occasional clicks from the tears but no jamming.

nobblyknees2

Day 3

Better nights sleep. Took Narpoxen before bed. Both knee at still very swollen and stiff. Left knee worse than Right still. Swelling on both knees presents itself all over but mostly above the knee cap on both knees. Baker’s cysts present on both knees and need pushing in to help mobility. Pain subsided significantly hardly any pain just stiffness. Will remove plasters from injection site later. Also I will continue to ice for 20 mins at a time around 4/5 times a day. Walking better but feel more pressure in the knees after a while. Stomach still intermittently cramps but better than yesterday. Hopefully all progressing in the right direction.

olivia_b

Hello @nobblyknees2 glad to hear you slept better. I hope you have a good rest of your day and hopefully tomorrow shows even more progression :)

nobblyknees2

Day 4

Overnight no need for Narproxen. No pain just tightness. Sunday, left knee still more swollen then right. Right knee almost normal in size and more flexibility than left. Able to carefully climb stairs and no need for pain relief during day just icing for swelling. Up and about more today and was able to drive ( auto). I’d say they feel like really good. The only comparison is the feeling that I used to get before the arthrosamid which was when i was having good use if my knees and id been doing a lot, the feeling they were tight as they started swelling.. like I should now rest them in case they get worse. Now after Arthrosamid I can see they are getting better. My left ankle is a little painful , I guess where maybe as I am walking more I may be walking differently to compensate for my knee on that side. At this stage I am confident arthrosamid will continue to improve my knees.

nobblyknees2

Day 5 Monday.
knees getting better but still feeling of tightness. Equal swelling on both. It has subsided significantly. Right knee seems to have more of a bakers cyst the left. Right knee clicking quite badly but no pain whatsoever ever on either knees. Stairs seem easier than yesterday. At the point where I can forget that I’ve had anything done to them so feel heal h in the right direction.

nobblyknees2

Day 6 Tuesday.
The feeling of tightness is moving more to a feeling of fullness. Have pretty much full flexibility in both knees albeit feels slightly odd. Swelling minimal and just a little bit of pain. The bottom of my legs are starting to ache a little so not sure why could just be just a re-adjustment. Bakers cysts prominent in both knees still. Still resting, just pottering about doing basics but no exercise as yet. Stairs no problem when taking it easy.. not running up them! Been told not to do any exercise for 14 days following injections. Knees now feel like they did on a good day following rest. With that in mind.. being I have rested once I am doing more another 8 days- I will update. For now I will only update if any changes. Seems to be going well and I am waiting in anticipation for it to fully integrate with the synovial fluid, which I am told can take a while.

nobblyknees2

14 days since the injection. I am told I can do what/ able I want now. I have been told it’s ok to run etc. However, I am not at the moment my bakers cyst on the right leg is very prominent and and not due to see the consultant for 10 weeks for the 12 week review. There are rehab exercices on the Arthrosamid webpage which I have started to do. I will listen to my body. The knees generally feel tighter but that could be a combination of the injection and not doing anything for 2 weeks. Will update and let you know

kitkat

Hi there, just wanted to ask how your getting on as I’m at the same stage as you. 😊

nobblyknees2

7 weeks in and I still feel a fullness in my knees and feel tight when squatting down yet they are so much better. I have had no flare ups just tiny small twinges. I actually do forget about them a lot of the time where they feel so good. I have been doing the exercises that are on the arthrosamid website which for me have really helped. Just make sure i get the positioning and form correct. I walk effortlessly for over 2 miles regularly and have constantly been going up and down stairs and had no stiffness as previously. Have been wearing heels when going out without issue and also have been running. I can honestly say that it’s like the arthrosamid has turned back time on the damage. Bakers cysts are still there but less troublesome than before. The knees do look a little puffy and seem to dent significantly when kneeling on them, which doesn’t impact movement at all. At the moment I am very happy indeed.

nobblyknees2

Kitkat.. How has your experience been?

kitkat

nobblyknees2…..

I am pleased to hear your doing well with your progress with Arthrosamid. My experience has been a bit of a mixed bag. I had a bilateral at the end of May. The 1st couple of weeks seemed to be pain at the injection site which is perfectly normal. I would say around week 5 I was feeling less pain in my right knee and swelling was down. However I am now going into week 10 and I seem to have quite a lot of pain in my right knee again. It’s mainly towards the inner side of my knee. I also get pain and stiffness at the back of my knee. My left knee is completely fine, but then again, it wasn’t giving me any pain at all before the injections but an X-ray showed I had arthritis in it so that’s why I went for both. I was really hoping at this stage I was going to feel so much better and able to walk around the supermarket without any discomfort, but unfortunately not the case. I’m not really sure where to go from here now. I have a follow up appointment at week 12 so I will see what the consultant can advise. Any advise from anyone out there will be appreciated.
I hope you continue on your pain free journey Knobblyknees2 😊

louzzer

hi nobblyknnes2

I’m 12 days post treatment. I’ve been doing a little physio (squats, static bike) I’m just worried now in case I’ve been doing too much too soon.
Hope you don’t mind me picking your brain. Thank you

noddingtonpete

Hello @louzzer and welocme to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

A bit of exercise is always a good thing, just monitor what your body is telling you and if you think you are overdoing it stop and rest. Also if in any doubts consult your GP or Physio for guidance.

If it is your knees you might find the following of use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMkxh1Alz2A&list=PLXKNfcIcSzgXx4x8JP-HUb7nvhy5GmijK&index=2

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Peter

louzzer

just found this so thank you very much for the advice.
just over two weeks since injection and my knee feels so much better. Obviously still sore at times so I’ve really just been doing squats. I shall, however, try today to start doing more. Thanks once again

Hillcrest

82 year old male. Active all my life - retired police officer. Played rugby, badminton, police/sport diver. Last 10 years OA in both knees gradually got worse. On waiting list for partial/full knee replacement but keep being pushed to back of queue.

Cannot walk upstairs without hand rail. Cannot walk any distance. Cannot swim.

Decided to have Arthrosamid injections in both knees (£5000). Due to be carried out 5th. Nov. 2024.

Read mixed comments. Any further advice very welcome.

MaryL44

Hello @Hillcrest and welcome to the Community. We're a very friendly and knowledgeable group.

Our website is a mine of information so do look at it.

Also, our community members have vast experience so keep checking back here for their responses.

If you search for athrosamid (top right of screen):

you should find lots of our members' experiences.

Please keep posting now you are here and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Mary

nobblyknees2

6month post injections. So far all good! Knees do tend to swell every now and then, especially if I do any kind of twisting on them, I twisted my right knee and think I’ve irritated a meniscus tear which then caused a baker’s cyst, which I commonly get but that said. They are so much better! Have walked miles at a time on them. Been able to run squat, etc. Have not needed any form of pain relief. Have stood for hours on end and danced.
Keeping active I find is imperative to maintaining movement. If they so feel stiff it very much eases after the exercises on the arthrosamid site. I have lost a few pounds to help the recovery. I do exercise most days, either the ones on the site, stretches etc. I also do aerial arts.. silks. Hoop, pole at least 3 times a week and find that having to use my knees to grip and hang etc really helps build up the flexibility and the strength in my knees. I do not feel so limited anymore. And am very pleased with the results.

MandaO

Hi, just joined this site. I'm 62 and have always been very active, regular boot camps, body pump and spin classes at the gym, and did the C25K in the summer. I've got quite advanced oesteoarthritis and had bilaterial arthrosamid last Friday. I'm aiming to start some gentle exercising tomorrow, body weight lunges, squats, light resistence cross-trainer, alternating between these one day and swimming the next. Really hope the arthrosamid works and I can get back to all my usual activites (and re-do the C25K next year). Have heard mixed reviews about running again, so would be grateful for any advice, and on my rehab plan above! Tks.

chrisb

Hi @MandaO

Welcome to the versus arthritis forum.

I hope your recovery goes well and you receive some useful support from forum members.

You should hopefully find some useful exercises on our website such as the 'Tailored stretching' video earlier in this dialogue.

Best wishes

ChrisB (Moderator)

PaulP

Hi there. Would like to add my experience on this thread too if that's ok?
Had injections on 4/12/2024
luckily paid for by my health insurance. The consultants were surprised at this actually. I was aware that this was fairly new to the insurance company and there were teething problems regarding the cost between them and the consultants.
My consultant insisted I had the procedure done in a hospital theatre which I thought was a little over the top. His choice though. took about half an hour to do both knees. Similar experience to nobblyknees post first week.
I was grade 4 left knee, no cartilage. Grade 3 right knee. Hardly any cartilage.
I will say, for the grade 4 knee, the needle went in and out in seconds. I noticed on the other, it took a lot longer. Felt like the doctor was poking around to find the best spot or several spots.
I'm a week in now. My left knee which was the worst now seems like the best knee. I'm wondering whether I have loose bits of cartilage floating in the grade 3 knee. Really not sure how it works.
Back to the gym day 6. Light workout with legs included. Was told by physio to do 70% of what I would normally do weight wise. I'm going to keep it lower than that for a few more weeks.
as this is quite new, I asked the physio if he had seen any patients that are a year or two into this. He replied that several had come back after a year. The patients said it worked well for a year but then they asked for knee replacements. He added that in all those particular cases, all the patients were well over weight and seemed like they never attempted to improve their physical health. He said he had more optimism for any patients that took up a healthier life style, loosing weight and exercising correctly.
so, one week in and walking up stairs seems less painful. Still get sharp pains crouching here and there. I will add to this thread as well if that's ok nobblykneees?

Thanks, Paul

Goodwalker

I am 79 and have always been active. Most years, I trek in the Himalayas. I also walk with walking groups at weekends. I had osteoarthritis in my right knee. I could walk about 6 miles but found it difficult going downhill. I was looking for a solution that did not involve surgery that would improve my situation. I was advised to try Arthrosamid. After the injection, I could only walk about 50 meters and at a maximum of 200 meters. On the old brochure and website, there was no suggestion that my knee would worsen. However, the brochures and website have been revised in 2024 to advise the over 70's of the risk. About 23% worsen and 14% no change

"It is important to bear in mind that there is no cure for osteoarthritis but successful treatment with Arthrosamid® may reduce or relieve your knee pain. You should also bear in mind that your knee osteoarthritis may not improve and, in some cases, may get worse."

As I was immobile I paid for a TKR which was wonderful. I have trekked and can walk 10 + Miles. My surgeon's attitude was that possibly there had not been enough research and the brochure was too glossy. Given the published data on the Arthrosamid website, I suggest that anyone over 70 considers it very carefully.

MaryL44

Hi @Goodwalker and welcome to the group. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well. We rely on the experience of our members so please do continue to post on here.

Also, if there is anything you would like to ask post some questions for our members and search on our website which is full of very useful information.

Mary

frogmorton

Hi @Goodwalker it's good to read your experience I hope those of us here who might be 70 years plus will be extra cautious and heed your advice.

I am very glad to hear you are doing so well now though after your TKR 👍️

Toni