Integrates, not absorbs
The hydrogel chemically binds to the synovial membrane rather than degrading, so the cushioning effect does not wash out of the joint.
Push Pounds Sports Medicine · Toronto
Arthrosamid Injection in Toronto — One injection. Up to 5 years of relief.
Arthrosamid® is a permanent hydrogel implant for moderate to severe osteoarthritis. Delivered once, under real-time ultrasound guidance, by sports medicine physicians who treat the whole joint — not just the pain.
- Health Canada approved (2024)
- Non-surgical, single dose
- Ultrasound-guided placement
80%
Positive response rate under age 70
5 yrs
Sustained relief from one injection
56%
Avoided joint replacement at 10 years
15 min
In and out of the clinic
What is Arthrosamid®
A hydrogel that becomes part of your joint
Composed of 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide and 97.5% water, Arthrosamid® acts as a permanent, biocompatible implant. Once injected, it physically integrates with the synovial tissue to thicken joint fluid, improve lubrication, and provide long-lasting cushioning.
Backed by 20+ years of research
Polyacrylamide hydrogels have two decades of clinical research behind them, and Health Canada approved Arthrosamid® for osteoarthritis in 2024.
Built to last
Non-absorbable and non-biodegradable — relief maintained up to 5 years in clinical studies, with observational benefit beyond a decade.
The evidence
What the data actually shows
In observational studies, over 56% of patients had avoided joint replacement surgery 10 years after receiving the injection.
Pain relief over time
Statistically significant pain reduction sustained for years from a single injection.
Patient response rate
Roughly 80% positive response under age 70, and 60% over age 70.
Cost over 5 years
One implant compared with repeat short-acting injections over the same period.
Improvements delivered
What changes inside the joint
Pain reduction
Clinically proven to significantly lower pain signals and exceed the minimum clinically important difference (MCID).
Increased elasticity
Increases synovial tissue elasticity by roughly 15%, restoring a smoother glide through the joint.
Improved mobility
Decreases joint stiffness so you can return to daily activity, stairs, and training without guarding the joint.
Disease modification
Lowers pro-inflammatory mediators inside the joint, altering the environment that drives osteoarthritis pain.
The procedure
Minimally invasive, done in one visit
Performed in an outpatient clinic by specialized sports medicine physicians using advanced, real-time ultrasound guidance for exact intra-articular placement.
- 01
Preparation
You take a prophylactic oral antibiotic 1–2 hours before the procedure to prevent infection.
- 02
Anesthetic & aspiration
Local anesthetic numbs the area, and any excess fluid (effusion) is drained from the joint.
- 03
Ultrasound-guided injection
A physician delivers a single 6 ml dose of hydrogel precisely into the intra-articular space under real-time ultrasound.
- 04
Recovery
A bandage is applied and most patients walk out of the clinic within 15 minutes.
How it compares
Arthrosamid® vs. cortisone, hyaluronic acid and PRP
Arthrosamid®
Permanent implant
Structurally stable, non-biodegradable. Immediate physical cushioning plus long-term structural support.
Cortisone (steroid)
Weeks to a few months
Rapid but temporary anti-inflammatory relief. Repeated use can actively degrade joint cartilage over time.
Hyaluronic acid (Durolane)
6–12 months
A temporary biological lubricant that naturally degrades and is absorbed by the body, requiring repeat visits.
Protein solutions (PRP / nSTRIDE)
Variable
Relies on your own biological healing response to reduce inflammation, which can yield unpredictable results.
Watch the overview
Arthrosamid® explained in detail
Full Arthrosamid® overview · 2 minutes — what the hydrogel is, how the injection is performed and what to expect afterwards.
Our Arthrosamid expert
Care led by an orthopaedic surgeon
Dr. Joseph Menna, MD, FRCSC
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Why choose Push Pounds
An elite standard of care for joint preservation.
Precision delivery
Injections performed by specialized sports medicine physicians using advanced, real-time ultrasound guidance for exact intra-articular placement.
Comprehensive assessment
A thorough clinical evaluation confirms you are an ideal candidate, maximizing your chance of a successful outcome.
Holistic recovery
As a multidisciplinary clinic, we integrate the injection with performance tracking and rehabilitation to restore full biomechanical function.
Questions
Arthrosamid®, answered
Request a consultation
Find out if you are a candidate.
Book a clinical assessment at our Downtown Toronto location. Our physicians will confirm whether Arthrosamid® is the right step before anything is injected.