[tractorman]

I had Synvisc and it worked just fine for me. I did end up having a total knee replacement but that was inevitable from the start of my knee problems. I had the Synvisc three times and each time I had complete relief from pain for about 18 months each time. The shots were not at all painful for me. Perhaps the pain and effectiveness may have to do with the ability of the doctor to place the shot exactly where it needs to be for any particular knee problem. Additionally, having gone through total knee replacement rehab, it is my opinion that to have both knees replaced at the same time would be a very unwise decision.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Posh 08

Really sorry to read that. Hope you feel good soon.

Thanks Posh!

Originally Posted by DDoug

Unless your knees are totally worn out try drinking lemon juice 2 to 3 ozs. a day and see if some of your pain goes away. Most not all joint pain is inflamation and the lemon juice will help eliminate a lot of that . Give it time to work. Works great for back pain

It's worth a try!

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I recently had cortisone injections in both knees which worked marvelously, but only lasted for six weeks. My years of playing squash every day and jogging have taken their toll.

My doctor is now suggesting Synvisc injections. I'd love to hear some comments from people who've tried Synvisc.

I had cortisone type injections (my doctor says it not exactly cortisone but a cortisone like injection) for years and they mostly worked but are painful or so I thought the first few times. Like anything else, you get used to it. I get them in my knees and feet (the one I get in my hip is the most painful and that is done in the hospital under fluroscope but that's another story). Mostly it's painful the hours AFTER the shots and gets worse as the day goes on but then I wake up the next day and the pain is only a dull ache. I got relief a few days later and it mostly lasted about 3 months. Then my doctor suggested Synvisc for longer relief so I tried it. I also had to have preapproval from the insurance company. I thought it felt no different than the 'cortisone' shot either during or shortly after. The real difference is that my knees are much better for longer. It did last me about 6 months each time before I had to go back for another shot. I think it took me a couple of weeks until it was feeling MUCH better because it occured gradually, but it did work. I have arthritis and 2 torn miniscus that my doctor said would be hard to repair because of all the arthritis so I am happy with the shots to keep the knee replacement surgery at bay as long as possible.
I think you should try it. What have you got to lose except a lot of discomfort in the long run for a moment's discomfort in the short run.

[gego3650]

I had them 6 years ago and had to pay extra. Nothing improved except the doctors wallet. The same doctor charged me extra for the cost of cortisone and a copy of my xrays. I know several orthos as clients , golfing, fishing and hunting and they all advised not to expect any benifit. These doctors were friends and clients before i retired to the villages. I may have experienced the same dr. And will no longer visit his office. Good luck on your choice.

[marennorge]

...www.bonesmart.org. Lots of good info from both pre and post surgery patients.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by marennorge

...www.bonesmart.org. Lots of good info from both pre and post surgery patients.

That website is very interesting. I had arthroscopic surgery on both knees six weeks ago. One knee recovered immediately. The other knee is still swollen and problematic. I am considering a Synvisc injection, suggested by my surgeon. However it is quite expensive and the success rate seems to be debatable.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by DDoug

Unless your knees are totally worn out try drinking lemon juice 2 to 3 ozs. a day and see if some of your pain goes away. Most not all joint pain is inflamation and the lemon juice will help eliminate a lot of that . Give it time to work. Works great for back pain

I keep hearing that lemon juice is good for arthritis. Glucosamine doesn't seem to help. Do you have to use fresh lemons or can you use the concentrate?

[CarGuys]

I am shot two of the series of three.

Knee seems somewhat better today not sure if these will help.

Right now better than surgery.

[diskman]

Originally Posted by bluedog103

Hi Barefoot,
I went the same route as you with my knee. Cortisone was fantastic but temporary. After awhile the pain relief only lasted for a few days. Tried Synvisc but it didn't work for me. According to some literature I got from the company they claim about 80% of patients get relief.
There are horror stories out there about the shots being extremely painful. I didn't have that experience. They stung pretty much like any other injection. Had they worked I would have kept getting them for as long as they were effective. Unfortunately my only option was a total knee replacement which I had done two years ago. The replacement was a good choice. Sometimes now I have trouble remembering just how much pain I was in.
Good luck. Hope the Synvisc works for you if you decide to go that route.

they are a series of 3 shots.My wife Beverly had the first one and ran out in terrible pain and would never have another

[CarGuys]

I felt like it was a bee sting, Second shot worse cause I knew what was coming.

Not as bad as the shot in the bottom of my foot for Plantar fasciitis.

[skip0358]

I had the three shot series lasted a while but then I agrivated the knee by doing a painting job and the knee got even. I'm now awaiting my surgery date to have it replaced.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by diskman

they are a series of 3 shots.My wife Beverly had the first one and ran out in terrible pain and would never have another

This is not what I was hoping to hear! They must use a huge needle to inject the Synvisc. I am such a chicken. Can't they numb the area first?

[skip0358]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

This is not what I was hoping to hear! They must use a huge needle to inject the Synvisc. I am such a chicken. Can't they numb the area first?

I had it done. They did numb the area. I had absolutly no pain from the injection at all. Like I said it did work until I crawled around the floor painting. KNow it's new knee time.I've been told Synvisc works for some and not others and it only prolongs the surgery. It's worth a try.

[cobb88]

Hi Barefoot, have had synvisc injections in both knees on and off for over 5 years.. Then last year I tried synvisc one, which is one shot instead of 3 shots. Had a good result the first shot then 6 months later opted for synvisc one shot again, had a bad reaction and my knee swelled up pretty bad. I no longer qualify for injections from my insurance because of the reaction. The shots worked very well for me until I had the reaction.. I am opting for knee replacement next year, I will be 56.. Heard from too many people that they wish they had their knee(s) replaced earlier because they were so pain free after the operation.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by cobb88

Hi Barefoot, have had synvisc injections in both knees on and off for over 5 years.. Then last year I tried synvisc one, which is one shot instead of 3 shots. Had a good result the first shot then 6 months later opted for synvisc one shot again, had a bad reaction and my knee swelled up pretty bad. I no longer qualify for injections from my insurance because of the reaction. The shots worked very well for me until I had the reaction.. I am opting for knee replacement next year, I will be 56.. Heard from too many people that they wish they had their knee(s) replaced earlier because they were so pain free after the operation.

There are certainly a lot of mixed reactions about Synvisc shots! I guess we all hate pain, but I'm a beeeeg chicken. I had a cortisone shot a few years ago, and it hurt, but it was bearable. I wonder how Synvisc shots compare to cortisone shots.

I'm currently recovering from arthroscopic surgery on both knees. One knee is perfect now, but the other won't straighten out, even with Physio. I'm told it will eventually straighten. My surgeon said to wait for six months before I try Synvisc.

The surgeons here tell me I'm too young for a knee replacement and I'm sure older than 56! Their thinking is that knees last approximately 15 years, so you want to wait as long as possible for the surgery. I'm not sure I agree with that thinking. I guess it's a gamble. I'm thinking we should all be as active as possible, right now! A long life isn't promised to any of us.