Benenden Hospital now offers innovative hydrogel injection to help patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis

Benenden, Kent – Benenden Hospital has announced it is now offering a pioneering, non-degradable hydrogel injectable implant to patients who are experiencing pain and discomfort caused by knee osteoarthritis (OA). 

Arthrosamid^® is a polyacrylamide hydrogel developed by Contura Orthopaedics Ltd as an intra-articular injection, approved across Europe to treat knee osteoarthritis. It offers long-lasting, proven pain relief ^1,2 with a single injection – and crucially, a viable and evidence-based alternative to invasive open knee surgery. 

The treatment has the potential to support the present care pathway for managing knee OA, which affects around 5.4 million people in the UK ³.  

Despite this large suffering population, there has been very little innovation in the range of OA treatments on offer to help patients – until now. 

Mr Alex Chipperfield, Medical Director and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Benenden Hospital, comments:  

“We’re excited to be able to offer this breakthrough injectable treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Arthrosamid^® offers an effective alternative to invasive surgery for a debilitating condition, providing rapid onset of pain relief and improved function. 

"It’s truly a game-changing therapy, which could have a huge impact on the quality of life of thousands of people, enabling them to return to the hobbies and pastimes they love.” 

Current treatments, such as steroid injections, can have detrimental effects on the knee joint and, even if successful, the pain relief provided can be short-lived. For others, Total Knee Replacement surgery may be the only option available, but with lengthy recovery times and the risk of repeat surgical procedures needed further down the line, this is often not the best choice for younger, active patients with significant pain and early osteoarthritis. 

Eligible patients receive a single injection into the knee joint space – a 6ml dose of Arthrosamid® - the first and only approved injectable treatment that permanently combines with the knee’s synovial tissue ⁴ – decreasing joint stiffness, diminishing pain, improving the function of the knee affected by knee osteoarthritis, and enhancing your quality of life. ^1,5,6  

CEO at Contura Orthopaedics Ltd, Rakesh Tailor comments:

“We’re absolutely delighted to be working with the orthopaedic team at Kent’s Benenden Hospital, collaborating in a positive partnership which will really help to widen access to Arthrosamid^®.  

“The growing portfolio of robust research and clinical data around the efficacy of Arthrosamid^® is providing real reassurance for people looking for long lasting minimally invasive treatment options. Our patients are at the heart of what we do and this latest news from Benenden Hospital will take us a step further towards our vision of helping hundreds more patients find relief from the pain of knee OA.” 

The development of Arthrosamid^® followed impressive clinical data with Arthramid® Vet, a related product of the company, used to treat lameness in horses since 2009. It is recommended for the following patients:    

• Patients who have found no success with other treatments or preventative measures 
• Those too young for surgery 
• Self-employed people who struggle to take time off for major surgery                                       
• Those who don't want a Total Knee Replacement     

New four-year data for Arthrosamid^® presented in September 2024 at the European Orthopaedic Research Society Meeting in Aalborg, Denmark demonstrated the long-term efficacy of the injection – showing that a single injection of 6ml 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel Arthrosamid® maintained a statistically significant reduction in pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) four years after treatment. ¹                               

About Benenden Hospital 

Opened in 1907, Benenden Hospital is an independent hospital with charitable status, providing first-class treatment for a wide range of specialities.  

The only private hospital in Kent to be rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission  (CQC), it offers a wide range of healthcare consultations, treatments and diagnostic services to self-pay patients, Benenden Health members and those with private health insurance. It also offers some services to NHS patients via the e-referral system. 

Providing the highest standards of patient care for over 100 years, the hospital offers fast access to over 250 treatments from highly experienced consultants, supported by dedicated clinicians and specialist teams, in calm and comfortable, modern surroundings. 

https://www.benendenhospital.org.uk/  

^References: 

^{1. Bliddal, H., et al. (2024) A Prospective Study of Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: Results From 4 Years After Treatment. Presented at EORS 2024.}

^{2 . Bliddal, H., et al. (2024) 3 year follow-up from a randomized controlled trial of intra-articular polyacrylamide hydrogel injection in subjects with knee osteoarthritis. Poster LB-31, OARSI 2024 World Congress on Osteoarthritis.}

^{3. Versus Arthritis, 2023}

^{4. Christensen, L., et al. (2016). Histological Appearance of the Synovial Membrane after Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis with Polyacrylamide Gel Injections: A Case Report. Journal of Arthritis. Vol 5: 217.}

^{5. Bliddal, H., et al. (2021) Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: A 6 Months Prospective Study. J Orthop Res Ther. Vol 6 (2). 1188. ISSN 2575-8241} 

^{6. Bliddal, H., et al. (2022). One-year performance of polyacrylamide hydrogel vs. hyaluronic acid: A randomised controlled study. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Vol 30, S1, S371.}

^{OUS/ARTHRO/SEP2024/206}