About Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and the most common joint disease. Over 10 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee alone. Most of the people who have osteoarthritis are older than age 45, and women are more commonly affected than men.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint. It commonly occurs in the knees, hips, and spine. For example, if you have osteoarthritis of the knee, you may feel tenderness in the knee area and pain during movement of the knee. You may also feel a "grating" or "catching" sensation in the joint during movement. The large muscles around your knee will become weaker with time if pain prevents you from moving or exercising the leg.
SYNVISC® (Hylan G-F 20) is an FDA-approved therapy that provides lubrication for your knee. It also acts as a "shock absorber" to cushion your knee joint. In the USA this is a prescription product and can only be sold with a prescription.
Synvisc is indicated for the treatment of pain in osteoarthritis of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative nonpharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics, e.g. acetaminophen, which occurs before NSAID therapy. Synvisc has been shown to be effective in all stages of osteoarthritis, although it is most effective in the early stages of this disease.
SYNVISC® is an elastic and viscous fluid that is made from a substance called hyaluronan that is found in normal joint fluid. Hyaluronan acts as a "shock absorber" and lubricant in your knee joint and is needed for your joint to work properly.
SYNVISC® is not a drug. It is made from a substance that is found in normal joint fluid and is injected directly into the knee joint.
How Does SYNVISC® Work?
How Does SYNVISC® Work? In knees with osteoarthritis, normal joint fluid, called synovial fluid, becomes thinner and loses its elasticity and viscosity (ability to lubricate). The osteoarthritic synovial fluid cannot provide "cushioning" in your knee joint. Without this cushioning, the cartilage in your knee joint may be more likely to wear down over time. This deterioration along with the loss of cushioning can contribute to pain and stiffness in your knee.
SYNVISC® (Hylan G-F 20) is injected directly into your knee joint by a qualified health care professional to help restore the cushioning effect and lubrication of normal, healthy synovial fluid. This treatment is called viscosupplementation.
Successful treatment with SYNVISC® can reduce knee pain from osteoarthritis, allowing you to return to a more comfortable, active life. Your doctor may ask you to temporarily avoid strenuous activity after treatment with SYNVISC®.
SYNVISC® is generally well tolerated; however, it may not work for everyone. The most commonly reported side effects are temporary pain, swelling, and/or fluid accumulation in the injected knee (about 2% of injections). If fluid accumulation is large or painful, call your doctor. Other side effects, such as rash, have been reported rarely. Before you begin your treatment with SYNVISC®, advise your doctor if you are allergic to products from birds, such as feathers, eggs, or poultry, or your leg is swollen or infected. The results of repeat use have not been established.
Before using SYNVISC®
INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines that you are taking. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, including allergy to latex, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a knee joint infection; or skin disease or infections in the area of the injection site.
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