Knee osteoarthritis often starts gradually: a stiff knee upon waking, pain when going down stairs, and a feeling of instability during long walks. Many patients want to avoid or delay knee osteoarthritis surgery, but lose confidence in ointments, pills, and short-term injections. At the ROC Regenerative Center in Aschheim near Munich, we assess whether the Arthrosamid® hydrogel is suitable for your joint condition, your symptoms, and your daily goals.
Arthrosamid® is an injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel for the symptomatic treatment of adult patients with knee osteoarthritis. The gel consists of 97.5 percent sterile water and 2.5 percent cross-linked polyacrylamide; the recommended dose is 6 ml. We are among the first practices in Germany to have used Arthrosamid®.
Your next step: Have your knee examined at ROC Ortho if pain, swelling, or limited mobility are affecting your daily life. As early adopters of Arthrosamid®, we at ROC Ortho have extensive experience with this form of therapy. Treatment is administered following a thorough diagnosis and individualized assessment to ensure the right therapeutic decision is made for each patient.
In knee osteoarthritis, the entire joint is affected: the cartilage, bone, joint capsule, synovial fluid, menisci, muscles, and movement patterns all interact. X-rays or MRI findings therefore do not always fully explain the symptoms. Anyone searching for “knee osteoarthritis images” will often find striking images, but in everyday medical practice, treatment is based on pain, function, signs of inflammation, and the joint’s ability to withstand stress.
Typical symptoms of knee osteoarthritis include pain upon starting to move, pain during activity, morning stiffness, a grating sensation, a tendency to swell, and a feeling of instability. During active phases, the knee feels warm, reacts with irritation to stress, and limits the distance one can walk. It is precisely at these times that precise diagnosis is crucial, not hasty action.
At the ROC, we combine clinical examination with diagnostic imaging, using either ultrasound of the knee joint, digital X-rays, or open MRI, depending on the findings. This assessment determines whether Hydrogel Arthrosamid®, another treatment for knee osteoarthritis, or a combination of treatments is appropriate.
Knee osteoarthritis usually does not develop suddenly, but rather progresses over the course of several years. As the condition advances, the joint cartilage gradually wears away, placing increasing stress on the bone, joint capsule, and surrounding structures. The causes are varied, and often multiple factors are involved.
The most common risk factors include:
Many people initially experience only occasional symptoms. However, as osteoarthritis progresses, pain, stiffness, and limited mobility often increase.
The severity of knee osteoarthritis is often classified using the Kellgren-Lawrence classification system.
Very early changes in the joint. Symptoms are often only mild or may not be present at all.
The first noticeable narrowing of the joint space. Pain on weight-bearing and occasional limited range of motion may occur.
Significant cartilage loss accompanied by increasing pain in daily life. Many patients report difficulties walking, climbing stairs, or participating in sports.
Advanced osteoarthritis with significant joint wear. However, even with severe osteoarthritis, knee replacement surgery is not necessarily required right away. The key factors are always the patient’s symptoms, functional ability, and individual circumstances.
Arthrosamid® hydrogel is administered into the knee joint via intra-articular injection. Once there, the gel integrates into the synovial layer of the inner joint capsule. The manufacturer describes a cushioning effect, improved gliding ability, and long-lasting symptomatic pain relief. The body does not break down the material; it remains in the knee as part of the synovial tissue.
This is what sets Arthrosamid apart from many traditional injections for knee osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid is primarily intended to temporarily improve joint fluid. Cortisone reduces inflammatory reactions in the short term but is not suitable as a long-term strategy. Arthrosamid hydrogel takes a different approach: a single gel implantation for the symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Studies have examined polyacrylamide hydrogel for mild to severe radiographic knee osteoarthritis, including Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2 to 4. A prospective multicenter study involving 49 participants assessed safety and efficacy over a five-year period following a single 6-ml injection. The available data show sustained improvements in pain, stiffness, and functional scores; however, the interpretability of these findings depends on study design, patient selection, and follow-up.
Arthrosamid® hydrogel takes a different approach than many traditional injection therapies for knee osteoarthritis.
Possible benefits include:
However, a doctor must always determine on a case-by-case basis whether Arthrosamid® is suitable for your knee.
Arthrosamid® hydrogel is particularly suitable for adult patients with painful knee osteoarthritis who have exhausted conservative treatment options or are not yet ready for knee surgery. Many patients describe similar situations during their appointments: they walk shorter distances, avoid stairs, take a break from sports, and plan trips based on their knee’s ability to handle the strain.
We assess suitability on a case-by-case basis. Relevant factors include:
Arthrosamid® is not suitable for every case of knee pain. The manufacturer lists contraindications, including infections at the injection site, an infected or severely inflamed knee joint, and previous non-resorbable implants in the same knee. After certain injections or procedures, the joint needs time to heal before Arthrosamid treatment can be considered.
If you would like to know whether grade 4 knee osteoarthritis can realistically be treated without surgery, please schedule a medical evaluation through the " Service and Contact" section on the ROC Ortho website.
Many people are looking for ways to avoid or postpone knee surgery if possible. In fact, there are now various conservative and minimally invasive treatments available.
The most common measures include:
The most appropriate treatment always depends on the cause of the symptoms, the severity of the osteoarthritis, and the patient’s personal goals.
A proper treatment plan for knee osteoarthritis never starts with a product, but with the question: What is currently causing your symptoms the most? Is it inflammation, weight-bearing stress, muscle weakness, cartilage damage, meniscus issues, or a combination of several factors? Only then can the treatment plan be determined.
| Therapy | Target in the knee joint | Typical role in knee osteoarthritis |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogel Arthrosamid® | Padding and integration into the synovial layer | One-time symptomatic treatment for eligible adults |
| Hyaluronic acid | Improving the lubricating properties of synovial fluid | An option for certain symptoms, usually with a temporary effect |
| Cortisone | Relief of inflammatory irritation | Short-term relief for active knee osteoarthritis |
| Autologous blood therapy | Biological stimulation and regulatory processes | A regenerative approach for appropriate findings |
| Knee replacement | Replacement of damaged joint components | An option when there are severe limitations and conservative treatment has been exhausted |
At the ROC, we discuss Arthrosamid® in the context of other treatments, such as modern osteoarthritis therapy, hyaluronic acid treatments, or autologous blood therapy with PRP. This approach helps avoid unrealistic expectations and ensures that knee osteoarthritis is not treated based on a single test result alone.
Many patients are already familiar with hyaluronic acid as an injection therapy for knee osteoarthritis. However, the two treatments differ fundamentally.
Hyaluronic acid is primarily intended to improve the properties of synovial fluid and enhance joint lubrication. Its effects are generally temporary.
Arthrosamid®, on the other hand, consists of a polyacrylamide hydrogel that permanently integrates into the synovial layer. The goal is long-term symptomatic treatment of pain and functional limitations associated with knee osteoarthritis.
Which procedure is more appropriate depends on the individual findings.
Before the injection, we examine the knee, review existing medical records, and discuss your medications, allergies, risk of infection, and previous treatments. If any information is missing, we will complete the diagnostic workup. Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with Arthrosamid® requires sterile conditions, a clear indication, and precise placement within the joint.
The injection is performed in the ROC under ultrasound guidance. The team cleans and disinfects the knee, positions the needle with precision, and injects the hydrogel into the joint space. After removing the needle, a bandage protects the injection site. The ROC information page describes this procedure in four steps: cleaning, ultrasound-guided injection, injection of the hydrogel, and wound dressing.
After treatment, you will receive specific instructions regarding physical activity. Many patients plan a quiet day on the day of the injection and avoid strenuous activity at first. If you experience a fever, increasing redness, severe swelling, or unusual pain, please contact the office as soon as possible. What isArthrosamid®?
It is an intra-articular polyacrylamide hydrogel injection for the symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Once injected into the joint, it restores viscosity in the synovial fluid, improves lubrication and cushions the joint. This gel integrates into the synovial fluid of the inner joint capsule, creating a cushioning effect.
Step 1
The knee is cleaned before the injection.
Step 2
The injection is carried out using ultrasound.
Step 3
The hydrogel is injected with a needle.
Step 4
The needle is removed and a plaster is applied to the injection site.
Arthrosamid® is not a substitute for an active joint care strategy. Exercises for knee osteoarthritis, muscle strengthening, weight management for those who are overweight, and smart exercise planning remain the cornerstones of treatment. Clinical guidelines and patient information emphasize exercise, strength training, and realistic goal-setting as the core of conservative treatment for knee osteoarthritis.
That doesn’t mean pushing through the pain. A good exercise program adjusts the intensity of the workout. Cycling, aqua jogging, strength training on machines, walking on flat surfaces, and targeted physical therapy are often better options than sudden stop-and-go movements. If you have knee osteoarthritis and want to run a lot, you need a plan that covers distance, surface, footwear, breaks, and strength building.
At ROC, injection therapy can be combined with ROC Physio, regenerative treatments, or a movement analysis as needed. This results not in a rigid protocol, but in a personalized medical strategy for your knee.
At ROC Ortho, we use Arthrosamid® as part of a personalized treatment plan for knee osteoarthritis. For eligible patients, this therapy offers several potential benefits:
We will determine whether Arthrosamid® is right for you during a comprehensive orthopedic examination and diagnostic evaluation.
At ROC Ortho, we were among the first facilities in Germany to gain experience with Arthrosamid®. At the same time, we never view knee osteoarthritis in isolation as simply cartilage damage, but rather as a disease affecting the entire joint.
That is why, before treatment, we analyze the following, among other things:
Thanks to our state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including ultrasound, digital X-rays, and open MRI, we can perform many tests right here in our facility and tailor your treatment to your specific needs.