osteo-arthritis in the knee

[Karen G]

Has anyone had Synvisc-One injections in your knee? I'm supposed to get one in three weeks--just wondering if it has been successful for anyone here.

 

[pjrose]

Yes, and kind of successful - I don't think it helped any more than cortisone injections, and my knee seemed kind of swollen/puffy for months. Losing weight made the biggest difference , and when I gained back 10 lbs I could tell

 

[vacationhopeful]

Was my MOST compelling reason to lose weight also. Overall down 35lb in the last 4 years; after 15 lbs down, I have had NO knee pain (even on days walking and walking at Disney).

 

[islandog]

No but I did have knee replacement

That was over 3 years ago and it still hurts every day. Maybe not as much as pre-operation but still painful. I wonder now if the injections would have been a better alternative. I don't think it was available or maybe just not an option my surgeon considered. My husband is going to have the injections soon. He is not overweight (maybe 15 pounds since thyroid surgery) but his knee keeps swelling so his doctor wants to try it. Good luck.

 

[Karen G]

The weird thing is that I have lost 30 lbs. since May on Weight Watchers and now my knee starts hurting. I've had orthoscopic repair of a torn meniscus about 7-8 yrs. ago and the current pain seems a lot like a torn meniscus. X-rays today showed bone spurs and the diagnosis of osteo-arthritis. I got a steroid shot into the knee today and some anti-inflammatory pills to take. It seems somewhat better tonight. I'm hoping the Synvisc-One injection in three weeks will be effective.

 

[Makai Guy]

Have never had Synvisc, but have had its competitor, Supartz, in my bone-on-bone left knee. Over the last 4 years I've had 3 series. Before the shots, my mobility was getting pretty limited -- I'd have to grab my ankles and pull with my arms to bend my knees far enough to tie my shoes or put on my socks. After the series of 5 shots there was great improvement. Could only detect improvement starting with the 4th shot, and it continued to improve for several weeks thereafter. It never got to where the knee was flexible as a completely healthy knee, but the pain was reduced and the flexibility was greatly improved (no more ankle-grabbing).

The first series effects lasted about 9 or 10 months. The second series lasted a year or more. My last series finished 11 months ago and my pain is just starting to increase but I'm not to the point where I'm grabbing my ankle yet.

On the other hand, my right knee is also bone-on-bone and Supartz didn't make any difference there at all. I had it replaced 15 months ago.

 

[Karen G]

On the other hand, my right knee is also bone-on-bone and Supartz didn't make any difference there at all. I had it replaced 15 months ago.

Doug, given your experience with knee replacement & knowing what you know now with having the shots, do you think it's better to get the knee replacement sooner rather than later?

 

[Makai Guy]

The surgery and recovery were difficult for me - harder than I'd anticipated. I worked very hard on my rehab as I firmly believe this is essential for things like this. Now that I've come out the other side, the new knee is much better than before. By now I expect it's about as good as it's going to get, though. It still aches some, and gets stiff after a bunch of walking or a round of golf, even riding in a golf cart. I make a point of icing it down after exercise to control the swelling. So I'd say it is only a little better than the other knee when the other knee's enjoying the full benefit of the shots. It's much better than the other knee when the other knee's shots have worn out. I'm sure they'd both feel somewhat better if I'd drop some weight.

As long as the shots continue to work, I'll probably continue that way with my other knee, as I'm not in a hurry to put myself through the surgery ordeal again. But my doctor has been somewhat surprised that the shots have lasted as long as they have for me. He says typically each series works for a shorter period than the previous one. So it's just a matter of time before I'll have to get the other one replaced, I suspect.

We live in a community that is primarily retirees, so there are lots of people around here with artificial knees. Everybody's outcome is different. Some are truly wonderful and they couldn't be happier. Some are still in pain and don't think the replacement is all that much better than their original arthritic knees. If you just knew where you would come out on that scale it would make your decision a lot easier - but of course you can't.

 

[ricoba]

Karen, I have had Supartz (SynVisc competitor) injections in both knees. Sadly, I didn't notice any improvements. But I was fully aware that the success rate was pretty low.

RE: Replacement. My understanding is that you may want to last as long as you can until you have a replacement. This is because the replacements can and do wear out over time. For example, my parents have had replacement surgery about 10+ years ago, and they are noticing the knees aren't as good as they were when first installed. But now at 85+, I don't think they want another surgery.

For me Cortisone injections have proved the most helpful. But I also try to limit them since I don't want to build up an immunity to the cortisone.

 

[Karen G]

RE: Replacement. My understanding is that you may want to last as long as you can until you have a replacement.

That seems to be what most people are telling me. I'm not in enough pain right now to even think about having it done and I hope the injections will have some effect. I can still do three aerobic classes and a stretching class each week so I plan to keep trying as long as possible.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Wearing Out My Prosthetic Knee Over At The Gym.

My understanding is that you may want to last as long as you can until you have a replacement. This is because the replacements can and do wear out over time.

My DePuy Rotating Platform prosthetic knee joint was installed surgically June 21, 2010.

I got home from the hospital on a Wednesday & went to physical therapy Thursday. Following 2-3 physical therapy sessions per week through September, I signed up with a fitness club for hamster wheel workouts on alternate days (bike-elliptical-treadmill) & Nautilus weight-machine workouts on in-between days. I've been keeping up those daily sessions in a disciplined & semi-compulsive manner, which is uncharacteristic for me -- but there it is.

So far so good.

New knee works great -- no complaints & no discomfort at this stage, other than a little associated muscle stiffness from time to time. It's lots better all round than my old natural knee, which plain wore out from osteoarthritis.

During pre-surgical check-ups before total knee replacement surgery, my family doctor said, "You new knee will last you the rest of your life."

I said, "That's good news and bad news, isn't it?"

So it goes.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[MommaBear]

I had Synvisc One 18 months ago an it was great! It lasted for almost a year then I got the Euflexa (similar product) this Fall which is also has been great. Per my orthopedist, there is about a 10% reaction with a second set of Synvisc, which is why he changed products the 2nd time around. I can ski without any pain. I have to avoid going down stairs (I was doing as many as 60 flights up and down at work a day), hiking and I can no longer run or use the treadmill, but otherwise life is as normal. I use naprosyn and ice when needed and life is pretty good. I have had one steroid injection before the synvisc which significantly decreased the swelling, but significanlty increased the pain, as I am also bone on bone. I also do medical coverage at a joint replacement center, so I am interested in doing as much as possible to avoid a knee replacement. Good luck with your decision- as you can see from the responses, the results are varied.

 

[hypnotiq]

I worked very hard on my rehab as I firmly believe this is essential for things like this.

This is the one place people really hurt themselves. They dont take their PT seriously or they dont see it through to the end. They'll start feeling a little better and stop going or just deprioritize it.

As an athelete for the better part of my entire life, Im thankfully that at a young age it was engrained into me to do my PT.

 

[normab]

Had Synvisc several times starting in 2002 and started to have the swelling/inflammation reaction after the 4th time around--switched to Euflexxa and no reaction.

Both work -- last 6-8 months and I am so happy to have this option since I still have cartilage and am not ready for replacement. I believe it is helping my knee maintain the cartilage....I just finished my most recent "lube-job" last week!

Good Luck and hope it helps with your pain.

Norma

 

[jfbookers]

New Knees

Got mine April 2010. Rehabed hard but not too hard and my knees feel young again. Had pushed the operation off as long as I could with shots but my Doc said "you will tell me when you need the operation" and he was right,

 

[Egret1986]

That's what I would hope for...."knees feel young again."

Got mine April 2010. Rehabed hard but not too hard and my knees feel young again. Had pushed the operation off as long as I could with shots but my Doc said "you will tell me when you need the operation" and he was right,

No knee issues up until about 1-1/2 years ago. Was it because I took up running? I dunno. I had my left knee scoped in October. Nothing was promised due to the arthritis and bone on bone. I did my PT. Unfortunately, I have been stubborn about accommodating this knee (stopped running and rowing, even though I'm not happy about it). I ice alot and take anti-inflammatories when it's bad, but the swelling never really goes away. I had a cortisone shot before I did the scope with no relief. I had another cortisone shot about two weeks ago. He did more X-rays......and it is what it is. He gave me literature to look over for Synvisc One to consider. I have a follow-up in April. I guess I'll give that a try.

When I saw this thread, I had hoped everyone would say , but alass, different results for everyone. I think I'm still in denial a bit even though it's been laid out in black and white for me.

How could so much change in such a short time? I'm still a young woman.

 

[rapmarks]

I have had the twice. they help a lot. i also take osteo BiFlex daily. I would recommend trying it. I went ten months between shots.I have no cartilege left and am putting off knee surgery as long as possible.