California Sports and Orthopaedic Institute, Inc.
About Synvisc-One
Home
Forms to fill out
Best of the Bay
Contact Us
Address
Real Surgery Videos- Robert Eppley, M.D.
Real Surgery Videos - Robert Eppley, M.D.
Animated Interactive Surgery
How To Inject Lovenox
Platelet rich plasma injections
Lubricant injections
Robert Eppley, M.D.
Gaye DeRusso, PA-C
Brad Zwahlen, M.D.
Chad Roghair, M.D.
Nancy E. Rolnik, MD
Manager - Deonne Flanigan
Workers Compensation Coordinator
Physical Therapist
Insurance
Emergencies
Prescriptions
Common Shoulder Disorders
Shoulder Surgery Information
Humeral Head Resurfacing
Total Shoulder Replacement
Common Knee Disorders
Knee Surgery Information
ACL Surgery
Knee Replacement
Expectations and Satisfaction after Total Knee Replacement
Surgery Checklist
Surgical Facilitites
The Aging Athlete
Patient Comments
How To Use Sling
How To Use Brace and Crutches
Links

What is ORTHOVISC®?

When exercise and simple pain medications no longer effectively manage knee pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA), ORTHOVISC® may be the answer.

ORTHOVISC® (High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan) is the only FDA-approved treatment made from ultra-pure hyaluronan, a naturally occurring lubricant found in healthy knee joints. This knee pain injection is also the only treatment providing up to six months of pain relief that does not come from avian sources. This means that ORTHOVISC® will not cause an allergic reaction if you suffer from avian allergies.

Talk to your doctor to see if ORTHOVISC® might be a good choice for you.

About the Procedure

The full ORTHOVISC® treatment cycle consists of one injection a week for three or four consecutive weeks. Although individual results may vary, some people feel relief after the first injection.

The osteoarthritis injection procedure itself usually only takes a few minutes, and most patients experience little or no discomfort.

Before the Procedure

Prior to receiving your treatment, be sure to inform your doctor of any medications – prescription or over-the-counter – and any nutritional supplements that you may be taking.

During the Procedure

Your doctor will usually begin by cleaning the injection site with alcohol or iodine. A local anesthetic may also be administered to numb the knee and make the ORTHOVISC® injection as comfortable as possible.

If there is excess fluid in the knee joint, your doctor may choose to remove it prior to performing the injection.

After the Procedure

You will be able to go home immediately after the osteoarthritis injection procedure. You should have no problems walking or driving. However, you should avoid putting a lot of strain on your knee for 48 hours after treatment, so refrain from activities such as tennis, jogging, heavy lifting or prolonged standing.

If there is any mild pain or swelling at the injection site, you may want to apply an icepack for about 15 minutes or as instructed by your doctor.

Side effects, if they occur, are usually mild and most commonly include temporary discomfort or pain at the injection site, back pain and headaches. If side effects persist, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.

Repeating Treatment

ORTHOVISC® patients usually experience up to six months of pain relief. But if your knee pain returns, you can receive a retreatment as soon as six months after the initial osteoarthritis injection. Consult your insurance provider to find out about coverage for retreatment.


 

The ORTHOVISC® Advantage

Through the process of viscosupplementation, ORTHOVISC® injections provide osteoarthritis knee pain relief by directly addressing the source of the problem—the lack of healthy joint fluid—rather than the more temporary symptom relief provided by pain management drug therapy.

Several unique characteristics help ORTHOVISC® stand above other available viscosupplementation injection treatment options:

  • ORTHOVISC® offers up to six months of osteoarthritis pain relief.
  • ORTHOVISC® is given as one injection per week for three or four weeks, with some patients experiencing osteoarthritis pain relief after the first injection.
  • ORTHOVISC® is derived from bacterial cells, not rooster combs or other avian sources. This makes ORTHOVISC® the only non-avian sourced viscosupplementation injection with proven pain relief for up to six months, so patients with avian allergies (like allergies to poultry, feathers or eggs) do not need to worry about an allergic reaction.
  • ORTHOVISC® is the only injection made from ultra-pure hyaluronan, a naturally occurring lubricant found in healthy joints. In fact, ORTHOVISC® has the highest concentration of hyaluronan among all FDA-approved viscosupplements.
  • When compared to other viscosupplementation injection treatment options, ORTHOVISC® most closely matches the natural, healthy joint fluid in your knee.

FAQs


Is ORTHOVISC® right for me?

If knee pain is keeping you from doing what you love and you’ve tried other treatments (OTC and prescription pain relievers, exercise, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections) and nothing seems to work or is no longer effective, ORTHOVISC® treatment may be right for you. Only your doctor can determine what treatment may be best for you.


How quickly can I expect pain relief and how long will it last?

With just three or four consecutive, weekly injections, ORTHOVISC® treatment can provide up to six months of knee pain relief. Everyone responds differently, but some people experience pain relief after the first injection.


What is the ORTHOVISC® treatment procedure?

ORTHOVISC® treatment consists of three or four consecutive, weekly injections given by a trained healthcare professional in his/her office.


Are there any special treatment instructions?

If you have any known allergies, talk to your doctor to determine if you can take ORTHOVISC®. For the first 48 hours after each injection, it is recommended that you avoid strenuous activities (e.g. jogging, tennis, heavy lifting).


Are there any side effects?

The most commonly reported side effects are joint pain, back pain and headache. Others include temporary pain at the injection site. ORTHOVISC® treatment should not be given to patients with infections or skin diseases in the area of the injection site.


Will ORTHOVISC® affect any other medications I may be taking?

Talk to your doctor about all the medications you are currently taking. Your doctor must know your medical information to make the best decision about your treatment plan.


How often can ORTHOVISC® be injected into my knee?

The number of courses/injections is a decision you and your doctor need to make.Your doctor may recommend three or four ORTHOVISC® injections. Studies show that retreatment with ORTHOVISC® is safe following the initial 6-month treatment period. Consult your insurance provider to find out about coverage for any retreatments you may receive.


Will my insurance cover ORTHOVISC®?

Most insurance carriers cover ORTHOVISC®. See Insurance Information to learn more.


How can I find out more about ORTHOVISC® treatment?

Apart from reading the information on this website, you can also sign up for one of our free information kits. Additionally, you should write down any questions you may have for your doctor so that he or she can help determine if ORTHOVISC® treatment is the right choice for you.

 

About Synvisc-One™

Synvisc-One is a new way to treat your osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain right at the source. Made from a natural substance that lubricates and cushions your joint, it can provide up to six months of knee pain relief with just one injection.

How does Synvisc-One work?

In knees with osteoarthritis, the joint fluid (called synovial fluid) can break down and not provide the cushioning your knee needs. Synvisc-One supplements your knee fluid to relieve the pain and improve the knee joint’s natural shock absorbing abilities.



How is Synvisc-One given?

Synvisc-One is a single injection. It’s a simple, in-office procedure that only takes a few minutes. After the injection, you can resume normal day-to-day activities but you should avoid any strenuous activities for about 48 hours.

What can I expect from Synvisc-One treatment?

Synvisc-One can provide up to six months of osteoarthritis knee pain relief. Everyone responds differently, but in a medical study patients experienced relief starting one month after the injection. Synvisc-One can be repeated safely, so keep track of your symptoms and talk with your doctor if your knee pain begins to return.

What are the side effects?

The side effects most commonly seen in a medical study were knee pain, stiffness and swelling or fluid buildup in or around the knee. Other side effects, such as rash, may also occur. Side effects were generally mild to moderate and did not last long. Synvisc-One does not have the serious side effects associated with many pain pills. 

How is Synvisc-One different from SYNVISC?

Synvisc-One is the same formulation as SYNVISC. The only difference is that Synvisc-One is provided with one injection compared to three injections required for SYNVISC. Both treatments can provide up to six months of pain relief.