Monovisc and Swelling: 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."

• 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."

• Bad...
• May 30, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I had been getting Orthovisc for a few years and found it had worked wonderfully to stave off knee deterioration and pain after having two previous surgeries for ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair. I then moved to a different state where their preferred drug was Monovisc because it's just the one injection instead of three. It has been almost two months and my knee and now calf haven't hurt this bad since my initial inquiries: constantly swollen, can only minimally bend it and can't straighten it or put pressure on it to lay on my stomach. I'm not sure why there's such a huge difference, nor does my doctor who now just helps me manage the pain with cortisone, a brace, and meds, but I will never have Monovisc again."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "Got the Monovisc injections in both knees in the morning. By the evening, I was in so much pain, I thought something had been botched. The swelling was incredible, and I couldn't walk without two canes. The next day, the swelling had come down a bit, and one knee felt no better than pre-injection, and the other still felt much worse. After a few days, the swelling has now come down, and both feel a bit better than pre-injection. The doctor says that it will take about two weeks for the pain to subside, then things should be stable for a while. I am looking forward to getting around without my cane!"

• Mic...
• June 11, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "Had shot 5/16/2017, felt instant relief after the 3rd day. As of 6/10/2017, I am noticing pain and swelling again. Sad... was hoping it would have lasted longer."

• Ell...
• August 27, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "My knee is worse since receiving the one shot 3 months ago. It is always swollen and stiff."

• Arn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "The drug was painless, with no swelling after the first injection, but wore off in 4 months. SynviscOne lasts 6 months. I will return to that, despite pain and swelling the first day of treatment."