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Background: Polyacrylamide (PAAG) hydrogel is a novel compound that has recently become available in the UK market under the name Arthrosamid to treat osteoarthritis (OA). It adheres to and bulks up the synovial membrane and acts as a scaffold to treat the synovium. 

The purpose of this systematic review was to explore all available patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and adverse events of this novel compound for a management option for knee OA. 

Study Design & Methods: We undertook a comprehensive literature review of PubMed, OVID, and MEDLINE databases up until April 2022 for reports of outcomes of PAAG and OA. Using keywords: (“Polyacrylamide” OR “PAAG” OR “Arthrosamid”) AND (“Osteoarthritis” OR “OA”). Study participants were those that had PAAG hydrogel intraarticular injection for knee OA.  All results were screened, and relevant papers reviewed in full. This review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 statement. 

Results: A total combined number of 463 patients’ outcomes were reported and assessed. Statistically significant data was identified in two studies at both 52 weeks and 13 months. Indicating the efficacy of PAAG hydrogel at one year post injection. Further continuation of one of these studies provided statistically significant results at 2 years.  In a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) numerically superior data was identified compared to hyaluronic acid. Injection of PAAG hydrogel intraarticularly into the knee has been shown to be safe with no long-lasting adverse events reported. 

Conclusion: From the literature this PAAG hydrogel seems to be an efficacious and safe treatment option for knee OA and provides positive results for at least 2 years.