Orthovisc and Pain: What Users Say

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I have had bone-on-bone osteoarthritis in both knees for about 4 years. On disability. The pain without an anti-inflammatory is unbearable. Cannot walk. Refuse to take opioids. I take 2400 mg of Ibuprofen every day. Really worried about continued use of that amount - my poor stomach. I got my 1st Orthovisc injection in both knees 4 days ago, the injections were nearly pain-free, but the result is now I can barely walk. I seemed to be having an improvement of about 25% the first couple of days, though the injection site was sore. But over the past 24 hours, my worst knee is much more painful and worse than it was before I went. It feels like the gel did not reach the inside of my knee, where my damage is. I am going back Tuesday for the 2nd shot but before I do, I am talking with the doctor. This is terrible. Just terrible. The pain from Orthovisc is constant and nothing helps. Has anyone else experienced this?"

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I have had bone-on-bone osteoarthritis in both knees for about 4 years. On disability. The pain without an anti-inflammatory is unbearable. Cannot walk. Refuse to take opioids. I take 2400 mg of Ibuprofen every day. Really worried about continued use of that amount - my poor stomach. I got my 1st Orthovisc injection in both knees 4 days ago, the injections were nearly pain-free, but the result is now I can barely walk. I seemed to be having an improvement of about 25% the first couple of days, though the injection site was sore. But over the past 24 hours, my worst knee is much more painful and worse than it was before I went. It feels like the gel did not reach the inside of my knee, where my damage is. I am going back Tuesday for the 2nd shot but before I do, I am talking with the doctor. This is terrible. Just terrible. The pain from Orthovisc is constant and nothing helps. Has anyone else experienced this?"

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I’m 52. I had my first injection of 3 today. It was not a terribly painful injection. But instantly, I could not walk. I stayed in the room for quite some time. I then somehow waddled out to the waiting room. I realized then that I had parked my car very far from the front door. It was the worst pain my knee has ever felt. I’ve had a left total knee done and this pain today is way worse than after surgery pain. So it’s evening now. I’ve wrapped it, iced it, and am doing next to nothing because I cannot put any sort of weight on it without having extreme pain. Even now, resting it is incredibly painful. I sure hope I’ve done the right thing."

• Ama...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2012

For Osteoarthritis "I have osteoarthritis in both knees. I had a torn meniscus repaired in my left knee a year ago. My knees were killing me. The surgery provided some relief, but they both hurt constantly, and going upstairs or an incline was awful! I had my first of 3 injections last week. The shot was uncomfortable but bearable. My knees hurt pretty bad for the first few days after the shot. Now, almost a week later, my knees feel so much better. It's unbelievable. I had learned to deal with pain when I stood from sitting and pain when I sat down! To not feel the pain when I stand is amazing! I highly recommend the injections!"

• Wil...
• January 17, 2014

For Osteoarthritis "I had meniscus tears in both knees almost 20 years ago. I've had knee pain ever since. I had the series of injections about two months ago, and my knees felt great for about five weeks. I don't know if it's wearing thin or what, but now I've got more pain than I ever had before the injections, and the pain is nearly 24/7. Makes me feel like there's some kind of scam involved, like they know that when it wears off, it will be worse due to getting used to less pain for a short time. I do NOT recommend it."

• Jan...
• April 3, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "As a 64-year-old female, I was having severe pain and stiffness in both knees due to advanced osteoarthritis. Ortho doc recommended a series of 4 weekly Orthovisc injections in both knees. For me, the shots were very painful. There was no improvement until after the 3rd week. I am now 1 week post the 4th and final shots and have greatly decreased pain. I now can exercise regularly without pain. The only difficulty I still have is walking up and down stairs. I highly recommend the Orthovisc injection treatment."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "It's been 5 weeks since the last shot in a series of 4 Orthovisc injections for my torn meniscus. My right knee is now super swollen, and my pain is now twice as bad as before the injections! I drug myself up to get to sleep, but I am awoken each night/morning with excruciating pain! I don't know what the heck went wrong! I'm only 47, with bone on bone, arthritis, etc. Had surgery to repair the meniscus, but it was torn again! Only 'fix' the doctors say is a total knee replacement. Trying to push it back till I'm older, but I've had problems with this knee since 2008! Can't take it anymore! Am I supposed to keep waiting for something to happen miraculously? I ice it daily, exercise, stretch, hot tub, etc. Any advice would be great!"

• Lyn...
• April 24, 2011

For Osteoarthritis "I have a meniscus tear in my left knee which hasn't bothered me much until this year due to all the shoveling I had to do. My knee was aching with sharp pain for weeks, which led me to my doctor. He gave me a shot of cortisone, which didn't do much. He spoke to me about Orthovisc, which is a series of 3 shots within 3 weeks consecutively. I had the first shot last week, which wasn't too bad. After the shot, I had pain for a couple of days, it really didn't feel like I was getting any relief. I went back for the second shot 2 days ago. I had pain for the day, and now today, 2 days later, I have no pain at all. Nothing. My pain is gone. This medication is definitely working for me. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND these shots for everyone with knee pain."

• Myb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I was told at 32 I needed a knee replacement in both knees due to a birth defect in both knees. A group of doctors wanted to try this new drug on me. At the time, it was a series of 5 shots. I could barely walk and was in a lot of pain. Couldn't get out of my car and was being shocked so bad I was being thrown to the floor. I tried the injections (which aren't pleasant), but what a blessing. The pain stopped after the 3rd shot and I was back to doing all the things I loved. They lasted about 2 1/2 to 3 years. I am 52 now and about to take another round of the miracle shots. The last ones kept me going almost 4 years. Thank you for creating it."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I got three injections, a week apart. The first two didn't hurt at all, but I got the third one from a different doctor, and it hurt. After the first injection, my knee felt swollen on the inside and stiff, it got worse with each new injection. I used to have pain pretty much only when I went on the stairs or twisted the wrong way. Now, it feels swollen in the joint and on my leg, from a few inches above the knee to a few inches below the knee. Like I am wearing a super tight bandage. The pain has increased to the point it is really painful to go up or down the stairs, and even at night, lying in bed, it's hard to find a comfortable position because it feels like someone is drilling into my knee."

• Cdi...
• October 15, 2013

For Osteoarthritis "Six months ago, a doctor injected Euflexxa. My knee was sore for four months. In the fifth month, my knee got really bad, pain and swelling. A month later, the doctor started injecting Orthovisc. On the first injection, it felt like the doctor injected a knee, the inflammation went down and the pain went down 70%. Shot number two hurt, and I was swollen and had pain for three days. The third shot didn't hurt, and it was like the last piece of a puzzle. My knee feels amazing. Will definitely have these ones again. Let's see how long they will last."

• Cdi...
• October 15, 2013

For Osteoarthritis "Six months ago, a doctor injected Euflexxa. My knee was sore for four months. In the fifth month, my knee got really bad, pain and swelling. A month later, the doctor started injecting Orthovisc. On the first injection, it felt like the doctor injected a knee, the inflammation went down and the pain went down 70%. Shot number two hurt, and I was swollen and had pain for three days. The third shot didn't hurt, and it was like the last piece of a puzzle. My knee feels amazing. Will definitely have these ones again. Let's see how long they will last."

• Pho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "My knees were so bad I could barely walk around the office without limping. I had cortisone shots in both knees, which helped, but the Orthovisc treatment has been remarkable. A very noticeable improvement: I am much more able to walk, stay on my feet for hours, work in the yard, etc. As many others have commented, the first injections (one in each knee) were painful and left me limping. The three remaining injections, however, were painless. I don't know how long the impact will last, but so far, so good. The only downside is the cost. I have a high-deductible plan, and I ended up paying over $1,000 for the treatment. I hope I do not have to do this more than once a year at the most."

• Tsk...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 9, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "Just had the first injection (both knees) for the third series of Orthovisc. The first injection is always the worst-more painful, and I feel lazy the remainder of the day. I recommend getting the shots at the end of the day versus first thing in the morning if you can. The shots have been amazing for me. I am able to ski, ride my dirt bike, and hike with very little, if any, discomfort the majority of the time. Walking up and down stairs is no longer an excruciating experience."

• gma...
• December 14, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "Knee is much worse than before Orthovisc injection. I have only had one and will NOT have it again. I am hoping that my knee will return to pre-injection status. My knee is now so swollen, stiff, and sore I cannot bend it. Doctor told me to try this before joint replacement. This is just awful!"

• Ste...
• October 9, 2013

For Osteoarthritis "I have had all 3 shots, and my knees feel good, no pain. The shots were spread out 3 weeks in a row, the 2nd week it hurt some, but not as bad as the knee pain I had. I can tell you how nice it is not to have pain."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "THIS DRUG IS NOT WORTH THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT WILL WORK. For those that found relief in these reviews, I cannot express my envy for you. Since my third injection, all I can say is my pain from before the injection has gone from discomfort but manageable with Ibuprofen or Naproxen to after the Orthovisc EXCRUCIATING, and no drug, prescribed or otherwise, can ease the pain! That 6.5 avg. rating is a pretty big clue, wish I'd read this before getting these injections. Every day since the Ibuprofen and Naproxen (that ruin your insides) stopped working, I have done everything possible - elevated, compressed, iced, and the pain is still keeping me in tears and unable to concentrate on any work. I swear I just want to get rid of my leg or worse... My Ortho doctors have no clue what the next step will be, and I cannot continue to live like this. GOD HELP ME, PLEASE! Just save yourself the trouble. I know insurance makes you go through worthless steps before approving knee replacement. This is TORTURE!"

• pud...
• February 19, 2010

For Osteoarthritis "I've been using Orthovisc for 3 years. The pain during injection was minimal, no biggie. For my last set of shots, I used another doctor. (Both doctors are rheumatologists.) The shots were very painful. Needless to say, next time I am going back to the first doctor for my next series. I know knee replacement is in the future for me (both knees), but so far I am having very good success with the Orthovisc, though I must admit that each time I do it, it’s not as successful as the last. Well, I guess that only stands to reason, but let's face it, with therapy and Orthovisc, I've been able to postpone surgery for 3 years and still counting."

• Lul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I have had a horrible experience with this medication. 3 shots and no relief! If anything, it has hurt more than I did before the injections. This medication might have helped others, but for me, it's been a nightmare! The stiffness and pain are unbearable. It hurt before... I regret doing this."

• Spo...
• May 10, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "This has given me my life back! I have had these injections now for the past 4 years and would not be walking without them. The quality of the technician administering the shots is vital! The first few shots I received were incredibly painful (I almost fainted) and only lasted a couple of months. Apparently the technician got close...but didn't get all of the gel into the all-important knee capsule, and some got wasted. I went to another doctor who used an x-ray machine to verify that the fluid was going in exactly where it needed to go, and what a difference! Hardly any injection pain, and the shot lasted 7 months before I needed more."

• Hik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 5, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "This is my 3rd time getting the Orthovisc injections. I have also had Synvisc, Uflexa, and Hyalgen in the past. The Orthovisc gives me the most relief out of all of them. My doctor uses a fluoroscope to ensure the needle is in the right place. He usually does a pain-free injection. If it does hurt, it’s minor and doesn’t last long. I make sure to ice my knees several times after each injection and take it easy for 48 hours. Within a few weeks of finishing the series, I am almost pain-free! I get the injections about every 6 months. I am hoping to avoid knee replacement by doing the injections. I’ve heard it’s possible, so I’m going for it. I really appreciate the Orthovisc for the quality of life I have with it."

• BB4...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "I had Synvisc injections in my knees last year, and they didn't seem to help much. This year, I got the Orthovisc injections, and they have really made my knee joints hurt much worse than before taking them."

• Tat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 16, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "Had three knee surgeries in 2005. Since then I have been getting injections the past seven years with Orthovisc. A great sports doctor surgeon gives them to me every six months. Lay around for two days with ice. Sure they hurt but not for long. It is touchy in the injection spot for three or so days. I get three over three weeks. I would say yes, doing this is better than surgery and months of rehab. I'm 63 now and plan on shots until they stop working on me. Doc told me I'm a record for her. Going into 13 years on injections since '05. OUCH LOL. But yes, Orthovisc is the ticket."

• Men...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 26, 2013

For Osteoarthritis "Had my left knee meniscus removed 30 years ago. I was told then, 'If you don't have it removed, you will get arthritis when you are older.' Well, I have mild to moderate arthritis now anyway. Had my first series of injections in May of 2012. After 4 weeks, I was 99% pain-free for 8 months. Had the second series in March of 2013. Both times, the middle shot was painful for a couple of hours and then sore for two days. No issues with the other 4 shots. With the start of snowboard season, I am looking at doing my third series."

• Men...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 26, 2013

For Osteoarthritis "Had my left knee meniscus removed 30 years ago. I was told then, 'If you don't have it removed, you will get arthritis when you are older.' Well, I have mild to moderate arthritis now anyway. Had my first series of injections in May of 2012. After 4 weeks, I was 99% pain-free for 8 months. Had the second series in March of 2013. Both times, the middle shot was painful for a couple of hours and then sore for two days. No issues with the other 4 shots. With the start of snowboard season, I am looking at doing my third series."