Euflexxa or Synvisc (Hyaluronic( injections for knee arthritis

[andra]

Corinna wrote:

I had Synvisc (the three dose series, each spaced one week apart), and approximately 4 weeks after my last injection, I could feel great improvemenment in my right knee...no more pain and swelling! That one series lasted me two years. I had another injection (the one dose Synvisc) last May, 2010 and it's still working now in August of 2011. I will now have my first Synvisc injection in my left knee tomorrow.
However, I have found out that my insurance plan will not cover Synvisc for a third time (in the same knee.) They stated that: "The benefit of Synvisc-One, and all viscosupplement agents, for more than two series of injections has not been established in the scientific litrature."

Sounds like they would cover the three shot synvisc, my doctor discontinued using the synvisc-one as there was pushback from insurance companies and there seemed to be better results with three shots. I had 8 rounds of it, only one of them was the Synvics-one, it seemed to be too much fuild injected for my knee the swelling for that one was the only one I had issues from.

I had a partial knee replacement in April 2011 at age 39, don't waste any time putting it off if it is effecting your quality of life.

Amazing results compared to the pain I had before.

[Carol Z]

If I had read all the reviews on Euflexxa I do not think I would have had the 3 series of shots. I found them extremely painful
and had swelling in my leg & foot after the 3rd shot. Pain is
less but nevertheless still there & worse than before I started the
shots. I will not do a second series. Walking was very painful
after the shots and it has been a month now since I started the
shots. I was told by the doctor that I will get worse before I
get better....that was an understatment in my opinion.
My appointment is for 2 months after the last shot. I can only
wonder at this point if I will have more improvement.
Also, I was not warned before the injections of the possible
side effects. I would be very cautious about getting these
injections.

[Erik]

Only 35 and have severe arthritis in left knee stemming from ACL and meniscus surgeries. Took Euflexia 9 months ago and felt some pain relief for sure. I am scheduled to get the Synvisc because my insurance wouldn't cover the Euflexia. Hope to receive similar results. Certainly not a magic bullet, but made the pain subside for a little while.

[Denise]

I am 32 and had my first shot of synvisc one today for a my right knee. 6 weeks ago I had my first cortizone shot. At first it was horrible!! I was in so much pain for 3 days, I couldn't walk or even bend my knee. Felt like they injected fire then the fire turned to cement. After 3 days of hell, it turned around and felt fabulous! Unfortunately, didn't last as long as my doctors would have liked, only lated 6 weeks, so insert synvisc. A few hours later I already am not having the same symptoms with synvisc one as with the cortizone. It is feeling great. I have high hopes. I'm very young for this and my doctors won't even consider a knee replacement.

[Karla]

I had the Synvisc One injections in both knees in June, 2011 and had instant relief. The shots were uncomfortable but definitely worth it. My doctor says it's a matter of when, not if I will need knee replacement and we're hoping to buy a few years with the shots. I recommend trying them.

[deborah natalizia]

I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that I was bone on bone in both knees and would need both knees replaced. This was due to very vigorous gym activities over the years. I had my first of three shots of Euflexxa this week and already I feel better. I am hoping that I can bide some time before I really need the surgery. The injections were not painful at all. I would highly recommend them to anyone with osteoarthritis providing your insurance covers it. They are very expensive.

[cbs]

I had synvisc injections in my right knee in 1997, I was part of an experimental group by the drug manufacturer. It was a series of 5 shots, 1/wk for 5 weeks. I had been on crutches for 1 year prior to these injections because I could not bear weight on my right leg because the pain would cause my leg to fold. I was only 43 - far too young for a knee replacement, but my knee was bone on bone, absolutely no cartilage left. Those injections gave me my life back. I had NO knee pain for the next 7 years. I am an RN working in a hospital so was on my feet 12 hours/day on hard concrete hospital floors, lots of walking and standing. When the pain came back, I limped around for a few months on NASAIDS until they no longer worked, then went in for a knee replacement. By this time, I had sustained significant damage to my left knee by favoring my right knee. The first knee replacement took about a year before I felt I could really "trust" my knee, however the recovery was so excruciatingly painful that I limped, used a cane, and crutches for 5 years before I worked up enough courage to go back for my left knee replacement. I had tried synvisc in the left knee, but they must have changed the formula from the 1997 injections because it did not work for me at all - not even a tiny bit! The second knee replacement was just a painful to recover from, I told my orthopod that I was glad I wasn't an elephant with two more knees because I didn't think I could stand another knee surgery. I am 57 now, two years out from my second and 7 years out from my first knee replacement. The second did not have as good an outcome - still have some stiffness/loss of range of motion, but at least the pain is gone. I did find out that a good massage therapist with experience in sports medicine helped tremendously with the continual persistant charley horse that developed from the horrible lower leg muscle contractions I had after both surgeries (my leg muscles would snap my heel up to my buttoch. Finally figured out the cause was the pain pills I was on and changing types made no difference - so 8 days postop I was off ALL pain medication - thus my horrible recovery.) I survived :) and am able to walk. I don't know what lies ahead as I know knee replacements don't last forever.

[cbs]

Oh, and I found the injections extremely painful - so much so that I actually fainted with the second one, and I'd never fainted my my life! After that, the orthopod had a nurse at my side for subsequent injections and I was not allowed to get up from the exam table for 20 minutes with the nurse in the room the entire time.

[Anne]

I had 3 Synvisc shots in my shoulder over one year ago. I had had arthoscopic done first and then pt and then the shots. Awesome results with almost normal movement still one year later.

[Jay]

I had the round of 3 knee injections 3 months ago. Afterwards I still had pain so I went for my regular cortisone injection. A full month after the round of 3 synvisc and the 1 corisone injection ALL pain went away from my right knee. I highly recommend trying the synvisc 3 injection option with a follow up corisone shot one week after the end of the 3 shots. It was a full month before the shots took affect but I now walk without a limp and have no pain. I'm not out there running but it sure feels good to be pain free!

[Anne]

I have had the 3 injections of Euflexxa, the last shot on December 22, 2011. I started to get a few good days as soon as the shots were started. For the 1st 2 shots, I did stay off my feet, not standing longer than the 1 hr., for the first 2 days as instructed. The 3rd shot given on December 23rd. I felt very good, but rested. The next day no resting and up and down on my feet for 10 hrs. With the holidays in between my knee was not bad, but I did notice after about 2 weeks after the 3rd round of shots, I started to get more pain. My doctor said it can take up to 9 weeks from the first shot to see improvement, but it will be 9 weeks this week and was more improved after the 3rd shot than now. There is about 50 per-cent improvement, but not total. Has anyone experienced the feelings I've explained? I would sincerely appreciate it if anyone can help me with their experience, as similar and what they are doing to help the knee get better. Thank you to everyone.

[Rob]

I am going today for my first eufflexa shot. I was told I am not bone to bone but getting there. Severe arthritis in left knee. PKR is about 3-5 years out so Dr's say ( 3 opinions) For awhile the the NSAID's worked , cortasiod shot lasted about a month. Knee pain comes and goes and flares up and wrose each time. I am real encouraged that some of you got years out of it.I am only 57 and like to work out everyday, but my knee has held me back The Dr's have told me my knee is strong, I can't hurt it by working out I just need to manage the pain, and keep tabs on the swelling with ice.I am concerned that my medical plan took awhile to approve.

[Terry]

I had my third synvisc shot 3 weeks ago and my knee hurts more than it ever did.It is so stiff and swollen.Has anyone else had this and does it get better or should I call the doctor?The first 2 injections only bothered my knee for a couple of days but this time it seems to get worse and worse.Has anyone else had this experience?

[Rob]

I wanted to follow up after having the eufflexa shots. I felt better right after the first shot. Now 30 days after the third one. I can't believe how much better my knee is. No pain and it keeps getting better, I am back working out wondering what happened to the pain. I have pushed it and all is good.Now just waiting to see how long it will last. Some say 6-9 months maybe longer. I am surprised how well it worked. I hope it last awhile,anyway what a blessing.

[Debbie]

I had my last Euflexia injections (both knees)October 2011, I had tore the
ACL on my left knee. My right was injured previously. It was 16 weeks before I could walk without a cane! I am 57, I am Greatly improved, I still have some sharp pains know and then: I had cramps in my legs, that would wake me out of a dead sleep, when I first recieved the injections for about 3 weeks. I will do it again! I am walking, I wasnt before! I am Happy everyday that I can put weight on my knees and walk!!

[Linda Jane]

fetalsono wrote:

I am 62 and have arthritis of my right knee. It had been fine up until 6 months ago and has gotten progressively worse. I am able to walk fine during the day but stairs or hills are a bit rough. I still play golf but have started using a cart which I am not happy about. I had a hip replacement 2 years ago and rotator cuff surgery 9 months ago. I know I will need knee replacement surgery but I would like to take a break from surgery for one more year. I have heard that in SOME patients, the knee injection with hyaluronic fluid helps for a while.(Not cortisone) Apparently you need 3 injections and even if successful, it will need be redone at least once or twice more each year. If there is even a 20% chance that it will buy me some more time I would like to try, but would like to hear from others.
Thanks for any advice

I just had the first of the 3 shots yesterday and am very very incouraged. Had a ski injury in my 20's and aachilles injury to the same leg plus a ham string tear in my 50's all to the same leg. Needless to say the soccer game on Easter Sunday did me in when I played with my grnd child and fell.Just saw a terrific surgeon who said I didn' need surgery and am trying this instead. Yippe I think it's going to work. Do it!!!

[Linda Jane]

Sorry about some of the spelling. Guess this site doesn't allow for spell check.
Oh by the way, I was a dance major, so I am 69, but a young fit 69 with the exception for this darn leg, and I'm just not going to live limping, an I think no matter how many times I have to do this, it's for me.
Mostly, it doesn't hurt. Not at ALL!!!!!!!

[Rob]

Linda Jane wrote:

Sorry about some of the spelling. Guess this site doesn't allow for spell check.
Oh by the way, I was a dance major, so I am 69, but a young fit 69 with the exception for this darn leg, and I'm just not going to live limping, an I think no matter how many times I have to do this, it's for me.
Mostly, it doesn't hurt. Not at ALL!!!!!!!

I have had only had the shots once, very pleased. I guess this one will wear off. How many have you had and how often do they last?

[Carolyn]

My knees both are worn out. The doctor that gave me the Euflexxa injections said I was almost borderline whether they would help me or not, but I decided to try it because I wanted to wait another year for replacement and was really hoping this would be a magic bullet. I had the series of 3 injections ending May 2012. They worked fairly well for the first month, but the pain is progressively worsening. I can't stand for long periods and can feel my bones grating often during the day. I have to rest them a lot. I think the procedure was too expensive for the slight relief I had. My cost after my insurance paid was about $350. I guess I'll have to go back to cortisone injections and hope I can last the year.

[Heidi]

I was wondering if anyone that has had the Euflexxa shots saw an increase in their bloodwork: levels of Cpk were high? In researching why the level could be so hig (418) I read that intramusclular shots could be one reason. I cannot find any information on this...trying to get to the bottom of what I have. Looking at RA...Lupus...etc.