Changing from Supartz to Synvisc-One shots

I received the first series of Supartz in September which was great.  I was pain-fee for 8 months, I have recently received a second series of Supartz shots in my knee a month and halft ago, but they did not work and I am in a lot of pain.  I would like to switch to Synvisc-One, but would like to know if there are any side effects in changing and how soon would I have to wait before I could get the Synvisc-One shot?  

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

Supartz is a solution of highly purified sodium hyaluronate.  Supartz is one of the hyaluronates used in viscosupplementation.(Injected inside your knee joint)
Synvisc is an elastic and viscous substance made from hyaluronan which is found in normal joint fluid.

So you have to understand that both Supartz and Synvisc are forms of hyaluronates used for viscosupplementation.

Supartz is injected directly into the knee joint to restore the cushioning and lubricating properties of normal joint fluid.
Both are approved for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee in those who have failed to respond to simple painkillers, exercise or physical therapy.
Supartz injections are typically given once a week for 5 weeks and I think you have taken it like this on both the occasions. Supartz is considered a treatment of therapy, not a drug.
You have to give it time as it is not a drug and you can still take some anti inflammatory drugs for the pain relief during the treatment.

If it does not give relief you can change in the next course to Synvisc .
You can wait a month before going for Synvisc.
Always change it after taking the opinion of an expert and under prescription.
If this does not work you can consider other options for the arthritis.
Discuss in detail with your orthopedic surgeon.

Take care!

[sharvan]

A related discussion, Osteoarthritis was started.