Monovisc and Pain: What Users Say

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "This can take up to 12 weeks to work, which is the case with me. It gets worse before it starts to feel better. Your joint will be inflamed, and I ain't going to lie, relief is NOT immediate. My doctor told me it takes up to 6-8 weeks to work, but from what I read online, it can take 8-12 weeks. I had a baker's cyst behind my knee - I noticed it started to feel better a couple of weeks after the injection. Seriously, a couple of days ago I couldn't move my knee at all, but now it moves so easily and practically no pain. It was like a miracle."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "The injection itself is painful, for sure, and I had my doubts the first few days afterwards when my knee pain was not improved, and seemed to be occurring in different areas than before, like back of the knee. But now I am 10 days post-injection and am in so much less pain, and able to walk, stand, and even sit more comfortably. Hoping it lasts a decent amount of time! Cortisone only worked for 10 days for me."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "So today is my 1st day with this, and as long as I don't move much, I'm pretty ok, not much pain. When I got the injection today, it wasn't painful because I was given a numbing shot 1st, then the gel injection. There was a lot of pressure, which was really uncomfortable but not really painful. Now that the numbing med has worn off, just trying to stand up is a big issue. Also, trying to bend my knees is painful as well. My doc did say that it would be really stiff and possibly painful, but to take some OTC pain relief and to ice my knees to help. The icing of my knees does help, and I find myself just trying to bend them a few times every hour so they don't get too stiff, but getting up from the bed and the amount of bend needed is very painful. I'll come back and update my review in a few days."

• Pla...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 13, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "In 2016, I was in quite a bit of pain in my knees (both of them have severe osteoarthritis). I was heading towards knee surgery but got a shot of Monovisc as an alternative. Though the shot was painful, I am amazed at the relief that has lasted these last four years. I’m trying to find a doctor to administer a second shot due to the excellent experience from the first injection."

• Bja...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I received the Monovisc injection on Sept 9, 2020. It is now Oct 28th, and never have I had so much pain in my 30 years. I can barely get to the bathroom on my own. This injection made my pain so much worse. I'm hanging in, praying it gets better. I am so disappointed in the results."

• Kit...
• May 10, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I received the Monovisc shot today, 05/09, didn't hurt one bit. 2 1/2 hrs later, I was driving my car, my knee started hurting, it got worse as 15 minutes went by. Within 45 min, I couldn't walk at all. Called my doctor, he said he might have ruptured a vein with the needle. This started at 2 pm this afternoon. It's now 10 pm, I have had the leg elevated since 3 pm, I still can't walk and am in extreme pain!! Going back to see Dr. tomorrow. This better get better :("

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I received Monovisc three weeks ago. The injection itself did not hurt. It was administered by an orthopedic surgeon. For the first week, I did not notice any difference in the pain. Trying to be patient. On the second week, the back of my knee began swelling and was feeling stiff. By the third week, I am almost crippled. I cannot bend my knee, it is very swollen, and I am in excruciating pain. Calling the doctor tomorrow. After reading so many reviews, I really regret my decision to try Monovisc."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I got the first Monovisc shot on Sept. 27 and the second one on October 11. The first shot went well until I got the second one. That shot went into the knee where I had a knee replacement. Whatever happened, I have no idea. I have had both knees in horrible pain, sciatic pain in both cheeks, and I was unable to walk on November 8. Now, on November 13, I am walking better. Let me say, I go to physical therapy three times a week. I swear I would be bedridden if it hadn't been for physical therapy! My doctor said, after I complained a couple of times, that it would be about 6 to 8 more weeks to get better around October 22. If anyone has any idea what is happening, I would love to know! It is frightening to barely be able to take care of myself!"

• Dra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "Had my first Monovisc shot, which was also my first gel shot ever. It didn’t hurt too much to get. Six hours after I got the shot, I was in the ER with feet Mickey Mouse would have envied, having an asthma attack and with my throat partially swollen shut. It was not fun times. Worse, after a week of pain but decidedly less creaking, my knees hurt worse than ever, and now when they buckle, the pain is excruciating for hours instead of a few seconds like before. It’s truly miserable. My allergist said there’s no data on allergies to Monovisc, but that is all I can think it was since everything started an hour after the shot and deteriorated rapidly."

• Lib...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 8, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "About 11 months ago, I received the single dose Monovisc. It was painful to receive the shot, and the pressure was great as it was injected. It took about 3 weeks for me to feel better. Before the shot, I had a high level of constant pain from bone-on-bone on the outer edge of my knee. A pocket of fluid had formed on the outside for weeks, and I had been waking up with knee pain during the night for quite some time. This greatly improved my knee pain. It didn't take me to 0 pain but definitely reduced it. About 5 weeks ago, I felt the pain creeping up, the fluid forming, and began to wake up during the night on occasion. I called the doctor and scheduled the next one, which I'll get in a few days. Better than pain or surgery!"

• Aun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I would not recommend Monovisc. I'm 37 years old with significant OA in my knee, and it started with a bone chip injury when I was 21. The injection itself was painful enough to make me cry, and I'm not a crier. (Note to Orthopedics - cold spray before injection does NOTHING!) I experienced extreme pain in the 2 weeks following the injection. Four and a half months later, my knee is worse than it was before - more acute pain, joint feels weaker, and I need to rest and wear my knee brace more often. I love to be active, and OA hinders this. :-("

• Bob...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 16, 2024

For Osteoarthritis "I have used Monovisc about three years ago and pain free for a year and a half. Switched doctors and tried Orthovisc injections, which are given once a week for 3 weeks. Had headaches for 3 weeks and knees stayed stiff for 4 weeks. Could not play golf. Lasted about 9 months, though, but did not like the initial procedure. Tried Durolane, which was terrible. Headaches, knee pain, and only lasted 2 months. Went back to my doctor and requested Monovisc. It has been 5 days since my injections in both knees, and no headache and slight discomfort, stiffness in both knees, which is gone in four days. Looking forward to a year and a half of painless knees. I see people complain about painful injections. That is because the doctor is in a hurry or doing a poor job. A good doctor gives injections pain-free."

• Pat...
• September 8, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I have chondromalacia and arthritis in my knees, with the left being worse. I had a steroid injection in the left, which didn't seem to help much. Several months later, I had the Monovisc injected. There was a lot of pressure at the time of injection. Within a few days, it gave a lot of relief for about 6 months. I had a second injection 2 and a half weeks ago. The actual injection was about the same, but as soon as I started walking, I had pain, and I told the nurse I didn't remember it hurting like this last time. To make a long story short, for a few days after the injection, the pain was bad. I had to use a cane to walk, and there was no way I could use stairs. Since then, the pain has decreased, but my knee is more painful than before the injection. I sent a message to my provider. He responded that he had a couple of other patients that had the same type of reaction after the second injection and that they had no improvement. Maybe it will improve, but I won’t do this again."

• Nea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I had a Monovisc shot to my knee less than one month ago, I am having knee pain, extreme warmth, and joint pain with back pain. This is my first time getting this shot, and not a very good outcome so far. I made an appointment to see my doctor."

• JMC...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 27, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "I was told I would feel a little pressure, not pain. So as the Monovisc was being injected, I felt the pressure. Then more pressure. And more and more. It felt like my kneecap was going to blow off. So the little pressure, in my opinion, turned into pain. After it was done in both knees, I couldn’t stand for about 5 minutes. At all. I was offered ice packs and then was able to walk out. But yes, it helped a lot. Would I do it again? I don’t think so. Too painful. We'll see what is worse when the gel wears off/out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 16, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "Monovisc combined with PT has significantly improved my knees after injuring an old torn meniscus. Arthritis was diagnosed as well on the MRI. Dr. would not operate! I get injections every 4 months, and pain is very rare... ice needed occasionally. Thinking of using it in my shoulder after RC surgery. Other shoulder has a partial tear. Anybody have any ideas on this?"

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2023

For Osteoarthritis "Awful, awful, awful! The medicine hurt going in, and I've been in daily pain since the injection back in November 2022. I will never, ever put this medicine into my system again. The manufacturer, Anika and J&J, did absolutely nothing to help alleviate the pain, nor did they offer compensation for the copayment amount."

• Hik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I hike a lot, and as I have gotten older, 51, my knees have been increasingly painful. I went to the doc about 6 weeks ago and had pictures taken. They are basically bone on bone. So they suggested we try Monovisc, anything to avoid knee replacement, right? It's been 4 weeks of just absolute pain. The knee pain was easier for me to withstand. Currently, I still have knee pain, and as an added bonus, I have hip and back pain as well now. The pain has gotten so bad I can barely walk without stabbing pain, and if I sit for more than 15 minutes, I can barely get back up. Motrin is doing me no good currently, I have an appointment to go back to the doc in 2 days, so hopefully they can do something to fix this nightmare. I feel it is only fair to add this: If the doc had told me there was a 40% chance I'd be in this much pain from getting the injection, I still would have tried it. I don't blame the doc, and I don't blame Monovisc."

• Hik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I hike a lot, and as I have gotten older, 51, my knees have been increasingly painful. I went to the doc about 6 weeks ago and had pictures taken. They are basically bone on bone. So they suggested we try Monovisc, anything to avoid knee replacement, right? It's been 4 weeks of just absolute pain. The knee pain was easier for me to withstand. Currently, I still have knee pain, and as an added bonus, I have hip and back pain as well now. The pain has gotten so bad I can barely walk without stabbing pain, and if I sit for more than 15 minutes, I can barely get back up. Motrin is doing me no good currently, I have an appointment to go back to the doc in 2 days, so hopefully they can do something to fix this nightmare. I feel it is only fair to add this: If the doc had told me there was a 40% chance I'd be in this much pain from getting the injection, I still would have tried it. I don't blame the doc, and I don't blame Monovisc."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "The injections themselves were very painful, with burning. I knew to expect the fullness, but not the excruciating pain a couple of hours later. I could barely walk and couldn't stand any longer than 20 seconds. My doctor did not prepare me for this at all. I iced, elevated, and took anti-inflammatory medicine with no relief. It has been 3 days, and I'm still in a lot of pain up and down both legs, with a lot of swelling. The reason for these injections was to improve my quality of life, not worsen it. I pray it improves and that it will be worth it. We will see."

• For...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I did not know I had osteoarthritis. I originally thought the knee pain and inability to extend the leg was due to a pulled muscle or ligament. I was on the couch for three months, thinking the ice, elevation, and rest would heal the knee. I was shocked having to contemplate total knee replacement. When the shock wore off, I took two weeks thinking of a solution I could accept. My doctor was absolutely correct in giving me Monovisc. The actual injection was given on June 2, 2021. I felt no pain, a small amount of pressure when inserted into the knee. I felt my knee stabilize immediately. No pain, no limp upon leaving the office. Today is October 2, 2021. The past three weeks, I felt a change in my knee: slight pain with walking, and now I ice on and off all day and night. I had three and one-half back-to-normal months. My appointment to discuss the next step is on the 18th of this month. I made the right choice with Monovisc."

• ser...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2023

For Osteoarthritis "I have been crippled with severe pain since I got this shot 6 weeks ago. I cannot walk, play tennis, or golf. It is swollen and burns up and down my leg. The surgeon does not seem to be concerned, but my life has been at a standstill. I got it to hold me over until my knee replacement in November. The pain is debilitating, nothing works. If I stand on my feet for any length of time, then the pain is severe. RA doctor has put me on a tapered heavy dose of prednisone, also not working. BEWARE!"

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "This is my second go-round with Monovisc. I have had other injections, including cortisone. Cortisone helps but doesn't last very long at all. I need a knee replacement, but due to my age, holding out as long as possible. Monovisc really helped me. It takes about a week or two to really feel the difference. Immediately after the injection, I have some knee pain and instability, but ice and pain medication like Tylenol or Motrin helps some. Mostly just resting the joint with elevation and ice for as long as possible. After about 24 to 48 hours, the injection pain is much better. Monovisc works well for me. I got it in both knees, but my left knee is bone-on-bone and it makes a much bigger difference in that knee. I haven't had any problems with it at all. I suppose the worse your knee is, the bigger the difference you can feel. Lasted about 7 months at a time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "I had a cortisone shot last October 6, 2021. I was extremely relieved because I didn't feel any pain at all the next day after the injection. I can kneel down and get up with no problems, but that only lasted for 2 weeks. Came back for a second injection, which was Jan. 12, 2022. This time it was Monovisc mixed with cortisone (he said it would be more effective if they were mixed), and so far I haven't seen any improvement or changes. I still experience a lot of pain and discomfort when I walk my dog. I seem to lose hope in Monovisc, which is highly recommended and so disappointing!"

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "My doctor indicated I could no longer get cortisone injections and suggested the Monovisc. OHIP does not cover the cost of $790. I was in so much daily pain and sleep deprivation I gave in to getting the injections in both knees. What a mistake - the first three days I had so much swelling, pain, and stiffness I couldn't even get around. It is now a month later, and I am struggling daily with the pain and stiffness. I was in better shape before the injections. My neck, back, and hip are hurting due to hobbling around. I have called my doctor and begged for cortisone for some relief. I need sleep."