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Has anyone had the Synvisc injections?

I have had left knee problems for at least 4 years now.  Dr. has given me quite a few injections into the knee.  Now he is suggesting Synvisc injections. This is injected once a week for three weeks and is supposed to provide up to 6 months of knee pain relief. I was wondering if anyone has had this treatment and if there are any side effects from it?  And does it really work and last as long as they claim?????  Thanks,  Kikko
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Avatar universal
How old are you ?
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Hi i am 52 male got synvisc one in both knees and get sewere side effects . One month now i am unable to walk or stand according to specialist i have to wait more then month to clear effect. But i am going bad and more bad unbeleveable pains disscomfort stiffness. What should i do
Avatar universal
Had both knees injected yesterday!

The injection in the right knee was a breeze and hardly felt it. The left knee however was a different story, very painful procedure.

Last night was the first night I have had no pain at all while in bed, which felt weird after years of being woken up with knee pain. Looking forward to more pain free nights. Pretty much pain free while resting.

Already feeling less pain while standing and walking - according to reviews it takes about a month to get the full benefit. Even if there are no further improvements, hoping this isn't the case though, I am glad I had the procedure and would recomended it to others.
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Avatar universal
Get the long lasting Zilretta injection. It works!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Can you tell us more about your situation that led you to the injection?  Tell us more about it in general?
Avatar universal
Let's just say they work for some people and not for all
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have - last Monday and the side effects are terrible I have so much pain in my knee I can barely bend it I'm walking with a cane now it goes down my calf and up my thigh it is horrible it may work for some people but I would never do this again to him yeah
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been getting the Synvisc (3 injection series) for several years now.  They have done wonders for me.  I have never tried the one shot version, but as I understand it, it's the same medication just more of it at once.  When the injections wear off, I have trouble walking and my knee hurts all the time, and OTC anti-inflammatories just don't seem to cut it.  I have had my left knee operated on twice now, and after my last surgery (8 or 9 years ago) they told me I was too young for a knee repladcement at 40.  The injections have been keeping me going until I can't put off the replacement anymore.

The injections have become routine, and I'm in and out of the ortho's office in a matter of minutes.  They shots are generally not painful when I get them either.  I try to take it easy for a couple of days after each shot, and it takes about 3-4 weeks (from the first shot) for the medication to take full  effect, but the pain relief usually last between 6 months to just over a year for me.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been getting the Synvisc (3 injection series) for several years now.  They have done wonders for me.  I have never tried the one shot version, but as I understand it, it's the same medication just more of it at once.  When the injections wear off, I have trouble walking and my knee hurts all the time, and OTC anti-inflammatories just don't seem to cut it.  I have had my left knee operated on twice now, and after my last surgery (8 or 9 years ago) they told me I was too young for a knee repladcement at 40.  The injections have been keeping me going until I can't put off the replacement anymore.

The injections have become routine, and I'm in and out of the ortho's office in a matter of minutes.  They shots are generally not painful when I get them either.  I try to take it easy for a couple of days after each shot, and it takes about 3-4 weeks (from the first shot) for the medication to take full  effect, but the pain relief usually last between 6 months to just over a year for me.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have Kaiser and they wont pay for Synvisc, so it is out of pocket for me, how much will this cost? I am bone on bone now on one side of left knee, need help fast, the Cortisone does not work much anymore.  Any advice is welcomed
Helpful - 0
17279887 tn?1455227321
Had my first 3 shot treatment of Synvisc 1-1/2 years ago for a very painful and stiff knee. Just started my second series of three shots today.  Someday will probably have to bite the bullet for a knee replacement.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have very bad authritus in both knees. The Doctor started with Cortazone  shots and a day later I felt like a 18 year old.It lasted a month and then the pain comes back so bad! I can't go upstairs or walk long at all.It's hard to get out of a chair. Then he gave me another cortazone shot and again another 30 days of feeling great! Then he said lets do synvist one. I went on Christmas Eve 2015 and I'm in more pain now then ever! It didn't do anything for me! I called and the gave me a pill for the swelling but nothing for the pain. I saw the bill to Blue Cross it was 7600.00 I feel like I got screwed! I'm 57 and have a ten year old son. Since my knees started to go I cant move like I use too. In 4 years I went fro 200 pounds to 325 pounds. I want my old life back  
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I had both my knees done the right knee is in so much pain swelling the pain is up micaft to down my thigh and I wouldn't recommend the shot to anybody they ended up giving me prednisone pill to bring down any inflammation and my shots were given to me last week Monday and here I am at the night and 11 today and I am still in a whole lot of pain and I spoke with the doctor that gave it and he says oh well we can take the injection out I was like huh I don't know but never again
Avatar universal
I'm a 56 year old male and have been dealing with OA in both knees for at least 5 years. I have been getting Orthovisc shots in both knees every 6 months for at least 4 years now. I get the 3 shot protocol o 1 shot in each knee for 3 weeks. Typically it takes about a month after the 3rd shot to notice the pain has subsided.

It is typical for the 1st and second shots to not hurt that much, but the 3rd shot usually hurts more. I attribute the additional pain of the 3rd shot to the fact that the bursa sack in the knee where the fluid is being injected is full by the time of the 3rd shot and the pain is due to the fluid expanding and causing pressure in the knee joint.

The treatment works for me and has provided significant relief of pain. It's not a complete miracle though. I still have some low level pain from time to time in my knees, particularly in the left knee, but it makes it manageable and so far has allowed me to avoid surgery.

I also tried the single shot Synvisc injection, but that did not work as well for me as the 3 injection Orthovisc, so I have returned to the 3 injection method.

One really big issue for injection pain is the angle the physician uses to inject the fluid. My understanding is there are 3 injection angles lower lateral, mid lateral and upper lateral. My physician uses a mid lateral angle for my injections and that's not very painful. He once changed the injection angle to upper lateral on me and the pain was really severe and almost put me through the ceiling, so that's something to be aware of.

I've talked to a bunch of other people who also are receiving these injections and for the most part, they seem to have a similar experience with some to a lot or relief of pain and the relief seems to last for 6 months to 1 year before they need to have injections again.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I am 62 and received my first injection today. Prior to the first injection I was running 3-4 times per week. How long should I wait to run? My chronic pain was meniscual related so not sure what to expect in this early stage. Should I wait to run? My Ortho stated only stationary bike workouts? Anyone?
16547438 tn?1449001695
Had my first Synvisc One shot today 12/1/15, Have had tow surgeries on each knee. I am hoping that this shot lasts for awhile
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Why 3 injections then ?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How old are you ?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How old are you ?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Hi i am 52 male got synvisc one in both knees and get sewere side effects . One month now i am unable to walk or stand according to specialist i have to wait more then month to clear effect. But i am going bad and more bad unbeleveable pains disscomfort stiffness. What should i do
Avatar universal
I am  a 57yo woman that was diagnosed with OA in November 2014. in both knees.  Unfortunately  that was when I lost my insurance.. By May 2015 the pain was significant, around  a 7-8.  In June I went to an Ortho Dr and got Xrays and a cortisone shot in each knee at a cost of $250.00 per knee, the total amount for the services was 726.00. The shots did help for a few weeks but my left knee pain returned.  Went back to Ortho Dr at the end of June and got a cortisone shot in my left knee. ($360. 00.)  My Ortho charges 250.00 for each shot. At that time I asked him if I can get pharmacy assistance from the maker of synvisc would he provide a RX.  Synvisc costs 594.00 per shot at my DR's office if you pay out of pocket. I was approved and  the shots were sent to my DR's office free of charge.  My DR charged me the amount that Medicare pays for injections. (56.00) . First injection  on July 13 and it worked very well. Second shot June 20 made my knees feel tight and  painful.
Third shot June 27, left my knees inflamed,  tight, stiff and painful. The Synvisc in my right knee tried to ooze out at the injection site. This led me to wonder why Synvisc is one size fits all, surely my knees cannot hold as much volume as a male. Anyway the Dr had told me it takes 6 weeks for the Synvisc to work.  I am hoping and praying it does work. .
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am  a 57yo woman that was diagnosed with OA in November 2014. in both knees.  Unfortunately  that was when I lost my insurance.. By May 2015 the pain was significant, around  a 7-8.  In June I went to an Ortho Dr and got Xrays and a cortisone shot in each knee at a cost of $250.00 per knee, the total amount for the services was 726.00. The shots did help for a few weeks but my left knee pain returned.  Went back to Ortho Dr at the end of June and got a cortisone shot in my left knee. ($360. 00.)  My Ortho charges 250.00 for each shot. At that time I asked him if I can get pharmacy assistance from the maker of synvisc would he provide a RX.  Synvisc costs 594.00 per shot at my DR's office if you pay out of pocket. I was approved and  the shots were sent to my DR's office free of charge.  My DR charged me the amount that Medicare pays for injections. (56.00) . First injection  on July 13 and it worked very well. Second shot June 20 made my knees feel tight and  painful.
Third shot June 27, left my knees inflamed,  tight, stiff and painful. The Synvisc in my right knee tried to ooze out at the injection site. This led me to wonder why Synvisc is one size fits all, surely my knees cannot hold as much volume as a male. Anyway the Dr had told me it takes 6 weeks for the Synvisc to work.  I am hoping and praying it does work. .
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Is any one out there having a problem getting there snyvic one injectios?I have been getting the injections for 5 yrs and this is the first time my doctors office tells me that they still do not have the shot in as of 2 months ago.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
the one time shot is the dangerous one. It causes anaphylactic reactions and can not only ruin your knee further but cause immune system disorders .See my comments above

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
you are having a severe reaction. Please google synvisc severe reactions. and read the blogs. This shot is not safe and top knee doctors I have spoken to in CA and Boston ( New england Baptist orthopedic hospital) do NOT give people Synvisc. If you have a serious reaction ( swelling, immobility) you can die. Please read everything and run !
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thats why I thought after my first injection. I had a SEVERE and evidently not so uncommon anaphylactic reaction to the shot. I called my surgeon in CA that I trust ( I moved to a different state) and he said," I NEVER give anyone Synvisc: It has formaldehyde in it as well as other allergens like Chicken combs. The second shot is what destroys peoples knees. Don't do it. Go google Synvisc second shot pseudo sepsis.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a one time Synvisc injection and it was so painful I thought I was going to pass out. It's only been 3 days so I presume it's normal to have lots of pain now. I'll update my results in a month.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Had Synvisc series last December. For a few months they seemed to help. Now, I'm almost back to the point I was at before the injections--lots of pain, swelling and stiffness. Going to make an appointment with the Regenexx people. I plan to exhaust every option before considering knee replacement.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just had my first round of injections and so far so good
Helpful - 0
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