Has anyone had a synvisc injection?

kids · Jul 11, 2004

No experience here but I look forward to hearing yours.

My 19yo has had both knees done (left was an open repair the meniscus was so thrashed) due to bilat hypermobile joints & meniscus (don'r remember how to spell the singular).

We were recently told he is a candidate for bilat TKR by 30, Synvisc has been suggested as the next step to deal with the errosion caused by accelerated & uneven wear.

Audreyfay · Jul 12, 2004

Wow! The orthopod told me that they DID NOT like to do TKA before 60. One told me that I would just have to suffer till I was 60! :uhoh3:

kids · Jul 12, 2004

His Peds Ortho doesn't feel like he will be able to walk by 30, the degree of distruction is similar to that seen in JRA (which he does not have).

Audreyfay · Jul 13, 2004

I had my first synvisc injection(s) into both of my knees today. I asked the MD's assistant how much it would hurt. Guess what she said? "I don't know. I've never had it done." If one has had a cortisone injection in the past, it felt very much like that, except for a little more pressure. I will get repeat injections in 1 and 2 weeks. It is supposed to help for about 6 months or more. I can have it repeated in 6 months if needed. So far, I can feel a little bit of a difference and look forward to hopefully less knee pain after I get the injections completed. Here's hoping! :coollook:

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jul 15, 2004

I had my first synvisc injection(s) into both of my knees today. I asked the MD's assistant how much it would hurt. Guess what she said? "I don't know. I've never had it done." If one has had a cortisone injection in the past, it felt very much like that, except for a little more pressure. I will get repeat injections in 1 and 2 weeks. It is supposed to help for about 6 months or more. I can have it repeated in 6 months if needed. So far, I can feel a little bit of a difference and look forward to hopefully less knee pain after I get the injections completed. Here's hoping!

Does anyone know or have experience with synvisc into other joints?

Audreyfay · Jul 15, 2004

I go back in for my next injection on Monday 7/19. I'll ask if they do it into other joints, or if it is just for knees. Stay tuned!

JWilsonLPN · Jul 15, 2004

I am scheduled to start my synvisc injections in my knees tomorrow. I am going alone and am kind of worried about what it might be like. Unfortunately, I have arthritis genes and have no cartilege left in either of my knees, so it was suggested to start with the synvisc. Any information is appreciated. Thanks! :uhoh21:

I don't want to discourage you, but I live in New York State. I searched for three years to find a Dr that would help me with my "bone on bone" left knee. I went to three different Orthopaedic clinics before I found a Dr. who would even consider doing the knee replacement. So at 45, I was walking with a cane! (from falling so much) I was allergic to the arthritis meds--celebrex, and vioxx. each one of them said the same thing---I was too young, and too heavy!

I thought I'd give it one more try before I considered doing what my Primary Md. was suggesting. A gastric bypass to get rid of the excess weight. I had already started that process (for the bypass) before my first appt. with my last choice.

At first I saw the Orthopaedic Physicians Assistant cause the Dr had a death in the family, and wasn't in that day! she suggested we try the synvisc injections since we'd not done that. It didn't help me one little bit. I had a follow up appointment, and this time I saw the Dr. (this was two weeks AFTER I'd gone through with the gastric bypass. He looked at my x-rays, and said "you are aweful young".... I thought he was going to say no! but to my surprise, he said "you are young, but you clearly need the surgery, so surgery we will do!" It was scheduled two weeks later........ It is the BEST thing I have ever done-------- :) Had the knee replacement, and the gastric bypass...now 130# ligher, and walking NORMAL!!!!! He said I would have been in a wheelchair if i'd waited too much longer.!!!!!!!!

Judy

:balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons:

Lynn Crist · Jul 19, 2004

I go back in for my next injection on Monday 7/19. I'll ask if they do it into other joints, or if it is just for knees. Stay tuned!

Good Luck with the injections. I have had 2 different rounds of synvisc in 1 knee and 1 round in the other. I found each injection more uncomfortable than the one prior. However, I do have to say I did experience relief. In fact my last rounds were in Macrh of 2003 and I'm just going back in this week due to increased discomfort again over the past couple of months.

lkneepain · Jul 17, 2009

Thanks for the information. I am scheduled for my first injection in two weeks. I've never had the cortizone injection because I heard it deteriorates the knee faster, so hoping the Synvisc will work for me. I just want to be able to keep up with my 5 yr.old. I'll let you know how it goes.

NurseSpanky · Jan 18, 2010

I'm not an Ortho Nurse, I'm actually am applying for a CNA position in Ortho tomorrow and was trying to bone up on the issues of the Ortho Floor. I am a pre nursing student after leaving a decade long career in ortho sales.

I hadSupartz which is a competitor to Synvisc and actually had a series of off label injections in my ankle. Synvisc and Supartz work similiarly in that they stimulte the synovial tissue into thinking that there is a higher level of lubrication in the synovial fluids thus causing them to produce more lubrication. Either is transient, leaving the joint in less than 24 hours. It doesn't work as a lubricant or anything like that.

All that being said, I had great experiance with the Supartz. The relief for me lasted well into a year after the treatment. The injections were painful as expected, but it really helped me. From what I understand though, it will not help bone on bone joints.

I hope this helps. Good luck. :twocents:

NJNursing, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2010

My grandmother has had 2 rounds of synvisc and that's all she needed. It saved her from a knee replacement and she's had no problems. She swears by it.