synovisc?

I am fighting the results of a major knee injury 40 years ago. I went to see ortho Dr.who informed me that both the medial and lateral capsules of my knee are now bone on bone. This I knew because I have been doing increasing amounts of anti inflamatories and treating the arthritis like symptoms for the past year. It has been particularly bad for the last two months what with the cold . He is suggesting that a 3 week series of artificial synovial fluid might help to ease the pain. Has anyone else had this treatment? How Painful is it? Did it help?

My other alternative is to eventually have the knee replaced, I know this is in my future but am inclined to put it off as long as possible for various reasons.

help me through my dithering with any feedback you would like to offer.

thanks

I did have at total of 6 injections of Synvisc and orthovisc. Products are about the same result wise. Orthovisc is not made from avian biological components, but Synvisc is.

Both were 1 shot every week for 3 weeks. I think now that they can be a one-shot thing. If I read correctly a few months back. And my injections were about 10 years ago (or maybe less).

My experience: it depends. Some were very painful during injection, while other I barely felt a thing. It was the same surgeon/ortho who did them. Like he said, even if they do numb the exterior knee, the inside is not and it is not easy to get the needle away from structure inside as they don't "see" through. They tell you to relax and not to contract the leg! sure!!! But I did find out during my last xrays (a year ago) that we should never feel pain during injection. At least from the xray tech who did my test and the ortho who read it. They do numb the inside of it at that hospital.

Did it help? Synvisc seemed to do miracle after 1st injection. Went back about a year after for another set and it was Orthovisc. I did not see anymore difference. And at the time, the "drug" was about $300 for the 3 tubes. Oh. And I had been told to tell the surgeon to use the smallest possible needle to inject. It takes longer to get the fluid in but not as painful. Don't be stressed by the length of needle either. It does not go all the way in!!!! I'm not afraid of those but at the sight Yikkkkes!

I'm thinking of asking my PT to refer me to her friend ortho so I can get more injections. I think it's time. I went Monday night to get my personal training program done and I had to push myself on lunges, squats, etc to test my fitness level. Well, I could barely make it up the bedroom stairs that night, and I'm ok now and it is Thursday. All this with some Aleve, etc. So my trainer (who's a PT working under my own PT and also a Kine) wants me to limit the drops when I do squats, lunges, etc. So maybe I could try it again too for those injections and see if it could help.

I do remember that for 1 month, I was not allowed to do exercises to give time to fluid to work in the knee. So if injection is once a week for 3 weeks, be ready to be limited in exercises. Unless things have changed since then.

Good luck and let us know if you are going and if it is working.

I would do a lot of cartilage regeneration before going with a knee replacement. There's some cool stuff out there - I'm sure it will start to become more widespread. No idea if it's an option for you and no idea on the Synvisc, sadly.

I had three injections a few years ago, it really seemed to help my bone on bone knee.

ok I am biting the bullet and getting the synovisc injection on Thursday. I am already waking screaming from dreams of a surgeon chasing me with a needle, much to the disgust of the two cats and to the dismay of the SAG guy whom apparently I hit and wake up. Here's hoping its worth it. On the other hand anything other than constant pain at about a level 6 both on and off the bike would be a change.

fingers crossed for me please.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

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Originally Posted by marni

ok I am biting the bullet and getting the synovisc injection on Thursday. I am already waking screaming from dreams of a surgeon chasing me with a needle, much to the disgust of the two cats and to the dismay of the SAG guy whom apparently I hit and wake up. Here's hoping its worth it. On the other hand anything other than constant pain at about a level 6 both on and off the bike would be a change.

fingers crossed for me please.

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Good luck!!

Good luck, Marni!! Here's hoping you get a great and long-lasting result!

Good luck, Marni.

thank you everyone for your input and wishes. It turned out to be pretty much of a non event as far as my fears of maniacal doctors and pain went. Yes it was a horse needle but I avoided looking at it and when it started to hurt the SAG guy was there letting me squeeze his hand. I have had much worse. Aside from being fairly inactive for 48 hours I am good to go. The next month will tell the story as it builds up in my knee but I have good hopes.

Thanks again for all the support.

marni

Glad you got it and over with. Now hopefully it will kick in properly and see how much fun again it is to have a "pain-free" knee for a while. So you were able to get the 1 shot deal instead of the 1 every week for 3 weeks? If I go back one day, I'll ask for that one dose only.

Glad you survived, Marni. I hope it works.