It’s not only which injection, but who gives it, and how.
Arthrosamid is now offered by a growing number of clinics across Merseyside and Cheshire, and prices, assessments and aftercare differ. Because the gel stays in the knee for good, who gives it and how matters as much as the product itself.
This guide sets out the questions we would want answered if we were choosing for our own family. They apply to any provider, including us.
The basics
Arthrosamid® is a soft hydrogel, 97.5% water and 2.5% polyacrylamide, injected once into the knee to ease the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis. It does not regrow cartilage or reverse arthritis, and it cannot be removed once given.
For each one: why it matters, the words to use, and how we answer it ourselves.
Question 01
What assessment happens before treatment?
Arthrosamid is permanent, so the decision to inject deserves more than a quick look at the knee. Knee pain has many causes: meniscal tears, referred pain from the hip or back, inflammatory arthritis, bursitis and ligament problems can all feel like osteoarthritis. A good assessment confirms the diagnosis, reviews what has already been tried, and checks for anything that would make the injection unsafe.
Ask
“Will a doctor take a full history and examine my knee before we agree to treatment, and will I have time to decide afterwards?”
How we do it
Your consultation is with Dr Soul Mugerwa, a GP with a special interest in musculoskeletal medicine. We take a full history, examine both knees, review any X-ray or MRI reports you have, check your medical history and medicines, and talk through your expectations. If we think another cause or another treatment is more likely to help, we will say so. You are never asked to decide on the day.
Question 02
Is ultrasound used?
Arthrosamid needs to be placed inside the knee joint space, not in the surrounding soft tissue. Ultrasound lets the clinician see the joint, look for fluid, and guide the needle in real time. It also gives useful diagnostic information on the day, such as an effusion or a Baker’s cyst.
Ask
“Will the injection be guided by ultrasound, and who performs the scan and the injection?”
How we do it
Dr Mugerwa performs the scan and the injection personally, using ultrasound guidance to confirm the needle position inside the joint before the gel is given.
Question 03
What does the fee include?
Quoted prices for Arthrosamid vary, and a lower headline figure does not always cover the same things. It helps to know in advance whether the consultation, the scan, the procedure itself and your follow-up are all included, or charged separately.
Ask
“Is the price all-inclusive? Are the consultation, ultrasound, follow-up and any review if things do not go to plan included?”
How we do it
Our fee for Arthrosamid is £2,400 for one knee. It includes your consultation, the ultrasound-guided injection, aftercare and a follow-up review three months after treatment. If you have a consultation and decide not to go ahead, the consultation costs £80. The final price is confirmed with you before any treatment begins.
Question 04
Is antibiotic cover used?
Infection inside a joint is uncommon after any injection, but with a permanent implant it matters more, because the gel cannot simply be removed. Strict sterile technique is the foundation. The manufacturer’s instructions also address antibiotic cover around the procedure, and providers should be able to explain what they do and why.
Ask
“What is your infection-prevention protocol, and do you follow the manufacturer’s guidance on antibiotic cover?”
How we do it
We use full sterile technique for every Arthrosamid injection, and check beforehand for anything that raises the risk, such as broken skin, an active infection or recent illness. You also take preventive antibiotics by mouth two hours before the procedure: flucloxacillin and azithromycin, or azithromycin and clindamycin if you are allergic to penicillin. We go through this with you at consultation.
Question 05
What does the five-year evidence show?
Arthrosamid is a newer treatment, so it is reasonable to ask what the studies behind it report, and how long patients have been followed up.
Ask
“Can you explain what the studies show, and how long patients have been followed up?”
What the manufacturer reports
All patients73%
Under 7079%
Over 7063%
Share of patients whose knee pain improved (WOMAC pain score). Of all patients, 14% were unchanged and 13% were worse(4).
What the studies report
At one year. In an open-label study of a single ultrasound-guided injection, pain was significantly lower at 12 months, with improvements in stiffness and function(1).
At five years. Patients from that study who continued follow-up still reported meaningful improvements in pain, stiffness and function five years after their injection, and no safety concerns linked to the gel were identified(2).
Against hyaluronic acid. A randomised trial found Arthrosamid at least as effective and safe as a hyaluronic acid injection over the first year(3).
Not everyone responds. Some people notice gradual improvement over several weeks; for others the benefit is small or does not come. It is worth knowing before treatment what the plan would be, because the gel is permanent and cannot be reversed.
Ask
“If I do not improve, what happens next, and will you still be the one looking after me?”
How we do it
Your three-month review is the natural point to take stock. If your knee has not improved as hoped, we re-examine the knee and talk through the options. These may include physiotherapy, other injection treatments where appropriate, or referral to an orthopaedic surgeon. Arthrosamid does not rule out knee replacement later. If you do go on to surgery, let your surgeon know you have had it.
Question 07
When might knee replacement or NHS orthopaedic referral be more appropriate?
An injection is not the right answer for every knee. A provider you can trust should be willing to tell you when it is not.
Ask
“Is there anything about my knee that makes surgery, or a specialist opinion, a better route than an injection?”
How we do it
We would usually recommend an orthopaedic opinion, through your NHS GP or privately, rather than Arthrosamid if your knee shows severe structural damage or deformity; if it locks, gives way or has a mechanical block; if pain is severe at rest or at night despite treatment; or if your quality of life is already badly affected and you are fit and willing to consider surgery. A hot, red, swollen knee or a knee that is suddenly very painful needs urgent same-day assessment, not a booked injection.
Bliddal H, et al. Effectiveness and safety of polyacrylamide hydrogel injection for knee osteoarthritis: results from a 12-month follow up of an open-label study. J Orthop Surg Res. 2024;19:274. link.springer.com
Bliddal H, et al. A single intra-articular polyacrylamide hydrogel injection in knee osteoarthritis: a 5-year extension study. J Orthop Surg Res. 2025. link.springer.com
Bliddal H, et al. Polyacrylamide gel versus hyaluronic acid for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2024;42(9):1729-1735. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Contura Orthopaedics. Arthrosamid® results: response rate by age group, based on change from baseline in WOMAC pain (data on file). Accessed 25 September 2026. arthrosamid.com
Take this with you
Your checklist for any consultation.
A provider who answers these clearly, and is happy for you to go away and think, is a good sign, whoever they are.
Our clinic
How we answer these questions.
We would rather you chose us because our answers were the clearest, not because of a promotion. Here is what you can expect.
01
One doctor, start to finish
Dr Soul Mugerwa assesses you, performs the scan and injection, and sees you if things do not go to plan. You are not handed between staff.
02
Ultrasound-guided, every time
The joint is scanned and the needle position confirmed on screen before the gel is given.
03
A clear, single price
£2,400 for one knee, including consultation, injection, aftercare and a review at three months. The price is confirmed before any treatment begins.
04
Honest about alternatives
We offer steroid, hyaluronic acid and PRF injections as well, and will tell you if one of those, physiotherapy or a surgical opinion suits your knee better.
05
CQC-registered, GP-led
An independent clinic regulated by the Care Quality Commission, run by a GP with a special interest in musculoskeletal medicine.
06
Local and easy to reach
Higher Bebington Health Centre, Wirral, with free patient parking. Most consultations are available within seven days.
Arthrosamid® · one knee£2,400
Consultation, ultrasound-guided injection, aftercare and a review at 3 months
Consultation without treatment: £80
Price confirmed before any treatment begins
Individual results vary. Suitability for any treatment is assessed during your consultation. Images are illustrative.
The Skin & Joint Injection Clinic
An honest answer, even if it’s no.
Not sure whether Arthrosamid is right for your knee? Book a consultation and we will give you an honest view, including if the answer is no.
