New NHS Study to Investigate Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Mechanism

A new study is underway at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RJAH) to determine the mechanism of action for Arthrosamid®, a novel treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Funded with over £150,000 by hydrogel pioneers Contura Orthopaedics, the study aims to clarify how the single-injection treatment, based on a polyacrylamide hydrogel, affects the knee joint.

Knee osteoarthritis affects approximately 4.11 million people in the UK, causing pain and mobility issues and placing a significant burden on the NHS. Current treatment options within the NHS, such as steroid injections, are often recognized for their short-term benefits and potential detrimental effects on cartilage. This study seeks to provide a clearer understanding of Arthrosamid®'s efficacy and patient response.

The trial will monitor 60 patients with knee osteoarthritis who are considered candidates for non-surgical treatment. Professor Martyn Snow, Chief Investigator, stated the importance of understanding how novel therapies like Arthrosamid® work. "This will enable us to potentially identify patients who will benefit the most from the treatment and consequently improve the overall response rate," he said. He expressed optimism that the collaboration between the NHS, universities, and industry could benefit patients.

Arthrosamid® has demonstrated promising results in previous studies regarding pain reduction and functional improvement, with long-term follow-ups indicating good tolerability and effectiveness. Rakesh Tailor, CEO of Contura International, commented on the study's potential to provide new evidence, enabling further discussions on making the treatment more widely available within the NHS by identifying predictors for successful clinical response.