SynviscOne

[Helene2013]

Following issues I've had with my knees for ages, and after the ruptured Baker's cyst issue I spoke about here:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=54442 my doc finally approved that I try SynviscOne (only one injection instead of 3) in both knees. I had the regular synvisc 10 years ago, if not longer. Worked wonderfully. Then had Orthovisc (ortho had decided this and said it was better - and I hated that ortho by the way but no real other options then). And orthovisc did nothing for me. May be it was just the location it was injection vs synvisc that made the difference. Anyway, time to redo it and we'll see.

My appointment is taken for March 17. So in just 10 days. They'll do only one knee at a time so I can bear less weight on that leg for the first days. The appointement of 2nd knee will be taken when I get there.

Cost for the 2 injection syringes is $925(cdn), purchased at drugstore. Injection by specialist is $30. Depending of the protocol for injection it could have gone up to $220. Lucky for me it will only be the regular type injection. I'm lucky to have insurance that covers it all.

So I will come and let you know how it will feel when the numbness goes away. They say we feel the effect about a month after. I remember with synvic (3 injection a week apart) it was almost immediate. Hoping it will lasts the 6 months or more they say it should. If this is not working on my lack of cartilage, I don't know what to do anymore. So crossing fingers that I will be able to do most activities like before. Which means pushing hard on pedals to climb, trying to get up on my bike to pedal up a hill, lunges, resume light running and mostly, just climbing up/down stairs like a normal person.

[thekarens]

Good luck! Hope it works well for you!

[Pax]

Hope it helps!

They offered me some sort of injection to try and buy me time for the knee replacement, but since I'm allergic to eggs they recinded the offer.

[snapdragen]

I had the SynviscOne injection a few months ago, it worked like a charm. I didn't have any issues with weight bearing, I was pretty much back to normal the next day. Good luck to you!

[Crankin]

Good luck, Helene. It must be hard to have that kind of knee pain.

[Catrin]

Good luck Helene, let us know how it goes!

[Helene2013]

Thank you. Sure will let you know. The other times I had the regular synvisc it was 3 injections (one per week). It did hurt as the ortho did it without numbing the knee. The lab told me they do inject something to numb and I should not feel anything. But the fact that the liquid injected is a bit more (6ml vs 2ml) it will feel like my knee is swollen/stiffer. I'm sure it can't be worst than a ruptured baker's cyst, nor a knee surgery like I had. So it does not worry me. I just hope they don't wait too long in-between the 2 knees. It was supposed to be a week apart but secretary told me it could be in the next month as they are overbooked. I got the last time-slot for March. argh

[Helene2013]

Both knees are now done. I had the left one done just over a week ago, and the right one this afternoon. They don't do both knees at once there just in case you have reactions, issues, etc.

Left one was done by a female doctor. She numbed the knee while injecting some coloured fluid to make sure the synoviscOne was going to be heading in the right pocket. I did not feel one thing, not from anesthesia needle, nor from that "huge" SynviscOne needle. She did the infiltration verrrry slowly. It was neat.

This time, it was a male doctor and told him I wanted to be numbed before. He did...but oh boy was he more expeditive. I felt everything, even numbed. The whole thing may last a minute, but what a minute. What a difference just in the procedure. Smooth and slow vs a quicky hihi He did tell me that next time to try without being "frozen" as it would not hurt. WHAT!!!! you kidding me!!!! He said the anesthesia burns a bit, we tend to tense, then tense when he does the infiltration of Synvisc. Sure!!! Go slower buddy and I won't feel a thing, nor tense. Just like that lady doctor did. hihi

I did tell him that the other doctor I did not feel a thing and she went slowly...before he even touched me. Guess it did nothing as he does not know what slow speed means. hihi

He also told me that because this right knee had a ligament recontruction, even if long ago it does keep the inflammation and it more sensitive. Can't be more right than this!!! Shishhh!

Anyway, it is done and I can move on now and hoping it will work.

I was 2 days off gym but did a lot of spins on my bike once those days were gone. Now I had to wait another 2 days for that leg, then resume slowly for the rest of the week than I'm clear.

It takes about a month for the benefits to show. Hoping they will and I will be ok for a good six months, if not more before thinking of having more of those.

[thekarens]

I don't know if you have a choice, but I'd fire that doc. A good physician is worth their weight in gold IMO.

Here's to hoping it works well for you!

[Helene2013]

They are specialty doctors for this. It is in a radiolgy center. They use cam/dye, etc to get into the right space so it is most effective.

He said he is used to this type of injections as it is a large part of his job (ortho) and he is the one called up at hospital for complex cases. Wellll. (he's cute though hihi)

Let me tell you if I have to go back in 6 months, or later, I will make sure I get that female doctor. Even if it means missing some work to accomodate her schedule. hihi

I make it sound like torture. But seriously it was not. It is just that I can see the different working methods between the 2 doctors since I had just over a week apart between injections. I remember clearly how hers was totally painless vs his. hihi

Maybe if she had done the right one before I would have said it hurts as this male doctor said it is partly due to the previous surgery! Next time, if there is one, I'll ask female doctor to do the right knee...we'll see the outcome!!!

[thekarens]

Shoot, even when it comes to blood draws I prefer certain phlebotomists over others. You won't even feel a good one and the others I feel and they leave me with bruises, so I vote for whoever is better at keeping the pain away.

If you do need to have the right one done again I'd be interested to know if the woman doc is as good with that knee.

[Helene2013]

Me too.

[Helene2013]

Small update for those who want to know if SynoviscOne can work, or not!

Well it's been just over 4 weeks since 1st injection in left knee and over 2 weeks for the right one.

So far so good. It is not perfect and will probably never be as wear and tear is heavy on those knees. But I am able to do more than before. Pain is still there but not as much.

I can do squats a bit lower but my PT prefers I do them differently. She does not want to overuse/abuse the knees, just because we can! There are so many other ways to work your legs beside squats. And trust me, what she has on the menu for me is killing my thighs, my hamstrings, etc... She certainly knows how to make a workout efficient! hihi

I've also started training on cycling standing up. Never did it before (not even as a kid - it never crossed my mind to get up on my bike), but now I want to. haha So we've been practicing for a week on the trainer. 30 seconds at 1st - to test the knees. I did the Sufferfest video (Elements of style) 2 nights ago and boy it is rough. But the good thing is I feel "some" pain while doing it but once I am relaxing (after work out) I have no swelling and no major pain. No need to take some Aleve or icing the knees. So that is just awesome to me.

My PhysioT said to repeat weekly but not push myself to the point of having any pain. If my knees are tired or telling me enough, I have to cut part of the session and sit but still cycle...no resistance.

It is not that nice out here yet to cycle outside (except when we're at work! Deuh!) but I have the ok to start doing real smallish hills (sitting down - no standing yet outside) in about 2 weekends. She wants me to test the knees and still work on my technic before pushing those knees.

I'm very happy for now with the outcome of those injections. Hoping they will last at least six months (that would mean it is working as it should). If shorter than this period, I don't think it will be useful to repeat.

[Catrin]

So glad you've good initial impressions!

[thekarens]

Very good improvements. Glad to hear it!