Is Arthrosamid®
Available on the NHS
or Private Insurance?
Arthrosamid® (a registered trademark of Contura A/S.).
Reviewed byProfessor Paul YF Lee MBBch, FRCS (Tr & Orth), PhDCartilage and joint preservation expertiseQuick Answer
At London Cartilage Clinic, Arthrosamid is accessed privately on a self-funded basis. It is not routinely available through NHS pathways. Insurance cover varies by policy and needs written pre-authorisation. London Cartilage Clinic is private-pay; the current package includes the consultation, ultrasound-guided injection and six-week clinical follow-up.
Is Arthrosamid® Covered by the NHS or Insurance?
Arthrosamid is not routinely available through NHS pathways. Private insurance is policy-specific and should be confirmed in writing before treatment.
This is because Arthrosamid®:
- Is classified as a specialist symptomatic treatment
- Is not part of standard NHS knee osteoarthritis pathways
- Has insurance cover that varies by policy and written authorisation
London Cartilage Clinic is private-pay. Any insurer reimbursement depends on the patient's policy and written pre-authorisation.
What Does “Self-Funded” Mean?
Self-funded means:
- The consultation, injection, and associated care are paid for privately
- Costs are discussed clearly and upfront
- There are no hidden charges
- You are not reliant on insurer approval or NHS eligibility criteria
We believe it is important that patients understand this before committing to assessment or treatment.
Experience Matters With
Self-Funded Treatments
Arthrosamid® is not a routine injection, and it should not be offered casually simply because it is self-funded.
Published Follow-Up
The London Cartilage Clinic/MSK Doctors prospective observational cohort reports outcomes through 24 months and states its lack of a randomised control group.
Consultant-Led Treatment
Professor Paul YF Lee reviews suitability and imaging and performs the procedure when it is clinically appropriate.
Decisions are based on:
- Peer-reviewed observational evidence
- Individual diagnosis and imaging
- Conservative safety protocols
Self-funded does not mean experimental or unstructured — it means the treatment sits outside NHS and insurance funding models, not outside clinical judgement.
Why We Are Explicit About Funding
We are open about funding status because:
- Arthrosamid® is not suitable for everyone
- Some patients prefer treatments supported by NHS pathways
- Others value access to specialist, experience-led options not available publicly
“If Arthrosamid® is unlikely to help you, we will say so — regardless of funding.”
Summary
Arthrosamid® is not routinely available through NHS pathways
Insurance needs written policy-specific confirmation
Treatment is offered on a self-funded basis only
The published cohort follows outcomes for 24 months
Care is delivered using a specialist, safety-led protocol
“Self-funded should never mean unsupported.”
Understanding Cost & Value
What You Are Paying For
Arthrosamid is a specialist, long-acting knee injection, delivered using a protocol that is very different from routine joint injections.
When Arthrosamid® is offered on a self-funded basis, the cost reflects:
- Consultant-led assessment by Professor Paul YF Lee
- Careful patient selection using our Arthrosamid® suitability framework
- Ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection
- Mandatory intravenous (IV) antibiotics
- Enhanced sterile technique
- A bespoke injection protocol refined over thousands of cases
- Structured follow-up and access to specialist advice
This is not simply the cost of the injection material.
It reflects the expertise, safety infrastructure, and experience required to deliver it responsibly.
Value Is About Appropriateness, Not Promises
Arthrosamid® is not positioned as a cheaper alternative to surgery, nor as a guaranteed solution.
Its value lies in:
- Offering a possible symptom-management option after individual assessment
- Reducing reliance on repeated short-term injections
- Offering a non-surgical symptom-management option where assessment supports it
Equally important, if Arthrosamid® is unlikely to help, it should not be offered — regardless of cost.
What NHS Funding Status Does and Does Not Mean
A Simple Explanation
Funding decisions can consider:
- Evidence quality and comparative benefit
- Cost-effectiveness and commissioning priorities
- How a treatment fits local and national pathways
Arthrosamid® is not routinely included in NHS knee osteoarthritis pathways. Patients should check current local policy rather than assume universal access.
Funding status alone does not settle safety, effectiveness or suitability.
For Arthrosamid it currently means it is not a standard NHS-funded option within:
- NHS commissioning structures
- Cost-effectiveness thresholds at population level
- Standardised care models
Where Arthrosamid® Fits
Arthrosamid® is:
- A specialist symptomatic treatment
- Highly dependent on patient selection and technique
- Administered by a qualified physician after individual assessment
For these reasons, it is currently offered outside NHS funding, on a self-funded basis, in specialist settings such as Harley Street, London.
Why That Can Be Appropriate
Some patients value:
- Access to specialist expertise
- Treatments not limited by standard NHS pathways
- Individualised decision-making rather than protocol-driven care
Self-funded does not mean experimental.
It means the treatment sits outside public funding structures, not outside clinical responsibility.
Pre-Consultation Checklist for Self-Funded Patients
Before booking an Arthrosamid® assessment, it may help to consider the following:
Your Knee & Symptoms
- I have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis
- My symptoms are ongoing despite conservative care
- I understand this is not a cartilage regeneration treatment
Your Goals
- I am aiming for improvement, not a guaranteed cure
- I understand knee replacement may still be needed in the future
- I am open to discussion of alternatives if Arthrosamid® is not suitable
Safety & Protocol
- I understand Arthrosamid® is non-biodegradable
- I understand infection, although uncommon, can be serious
- I am comfortable with IV antibiotics as part of the protocol
- I understand some protocol details are intentionally not shared
Funding
- I understand Arthrosamid® is not routinely available through NHS pathways
- I will obtain written policy-specific confirmation from any insurer
- I am prepared for treatment to be self-funded
If several of these points feel uncertain, a consultation is still appropriate — the aim is to clarify, not persuade.
Arthrosamid® is a specialist option, not a routine injection.
At our Harley Street clinic, it is offered:
- Selectively
- Transparently
- With individual assessment
- With safety as the priority
“The right treatment is the one that fits your knee, your goals, and your values.”
Am I Suitable?
Take the Arthrosamid® Suitability Assessment
Answer eight short questions on the dedicated assessment page to organise the information relevant to your consultation. The questionnaire is a decision aid and does not diagnose knee pain or confirm treatment suitability.
Start the Suitability AssessmentNHS, Insurance & Self-Funded
Arthrosamid® Funding — Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arthrosamid available on the NHS?
Arthrosamid is not routinely funded through NHS knee osteoarthritis pathways. Local pathways can change, so ask the relevant NHS team about current options. London Cartilage Clinic delivers Arthrosamid privately at its Harley Street clinic.
Does Bupa cover Arthrosamid?
Cover depends on the policy, coding and written pre-authorisation in force at the time. London Cartilage Clinic is a private-pay practice and does not work with UK insurance panels. Ask Bupa for a written decision before booking; London Cartilage Clinic can provide an itemised invoice, but reimbursement is an agreement between you and the insurer.
Does AXA cover Arthrosamid?
Cover depends on the policy, coding and written pre-authorisation in force at the time. Ask AXA for a written decision before booking. London Cartilage Clinic can supply an itemised invoice for an independent claim, but the clinic remains private-pay and the insurer—not London Cartilage Clinic—decides reimbursement.
Can I self-fund Arthrosamid?
Yes. Self-funded private treatment is the standard route at London Cartilage Clinic. Pricing uses the current central price tiers and includes the items specified in the treatment package. See the Arthrosamid cost guide for current prices.
Why is Arthrosamid not routinely NHS-funded?
Routine NHS funding is a commissioning decision and does not by itself prove that a treatment is effective, ineffective, safe or unsafe. Arthrosamid is not currently part of standard NHS knee osteoarthritis pathways; local policy and available alternatives should be checked with the relevant NHS team.
Can I pay monthly for Arthrosamid?
Most patients settle by bank transfer or card before the procedure. We can discuss finance options on request rather than promoting a specific finance partner. Ask our team during your free discovery call if monthly payment is a consideration for you.
Book an Arthrosamid® Assessment – London
Long-lasting relief starts with the right decision — not just an injection.