Orthovisc and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Yde...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 8, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "This is my third round of Orthovisc. My great fear was the pain during the injections as well as after. I got the first round last Monday. The first knee was killer! For the other knee, she used lidocaine-type medicine and then the Orthovisc. Easy peasy!!!!! I am eager to get back on my bike and ride until winter gives me no choice but to stay indoors. I am grateful for Orthovisc. I've had 3 years of success - although I do NOT recommend waiting a year between treatments. It was a bad decision for me."

• sus...
• July 26, 2013

For Osteoarthritis "This is my 3rd time for injections, but it has been 7 yrs. since the last one. The shots hurt so much I cried. (I am 66 and need replacement surgery.) The doc did the injections with my knees bent, he said, because the cartilage is gone and it creates a bigger space. It's been 5 hrs since the injections. Feels better, icing every hour. Hope next week is better."

• 48 ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 15, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "Osteoarthritis in the right knee eventually led to bone on bone. After my last scope in November 2015, the pain persisted to where I had a steroid injection. It relieved some of the pain for 2 months (considered non-effective according to FDA), then the excruciating pain returned. The last nonsurgical option was Orthovisc, which all 3 injections were very painful. I didn't experience relief until 2-3 weeks after the last injection. I have been pain-free, with an occasional very brief episode (seconds) of some pain. Now it's October 2017, and it's been wearing off. But 12 months' worth of no pain was definitely worth it. So glad I toughed it out!"

• Anonymous
• December 5, 2009

For Osteoarthritis "I just had my second injection on 12/2-one more on 12/9. The first injection was very painful, and my knee was sore for two days. The second injection did not hurt at all, and my knee was fine immediately after. This knee pain has been going on for two years, and I finally have relief. I'm just hoping it lasts longer than six months. I would definitely advise anybody who has this problem to at least try it. It is working for me!"

• Anonymous
• December 5, 2009

For Osteoarthritis "I just had my second injection on 12/2-one more on 12/9. The first injection was very painful, and my knee was sore for two days. The second injection did not hurt at all, and my knee was fine immediately after. This knee pain has been going on for two years, and I finally have relief. I'm just hoping it lasts longer than six months. I would definitely advise anybody who has this problem to at least try it. It is working for me!"

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "Orthovisc was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made. The doctor said this would help my osteoarthritis, but it is much worse than when we started. The first shot was very painful, the second was much worse. The doctor convinced me to have all four shots. Now I can hardly walk, in constant pain. So sorry I had the Orthovisc shots. They should be off the market."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "I have arthritis in both knees. One is severe, bone-on-bone, the other is moderate. So they started injections in my left knee first, as the right one wasn't bothering me too much, as the cortisone shots were still slightly effective. So I got two shots-not too bad as far as pain. I went to get the third one, and the doctor didn't take her time like before to find just the right spot, and she injected me. As soon as she started putting the fluid into my knee, I felt a burning liquid feeling going from the injection site (the outside of my knee to the inside of my knee). It didn't stop there. It felt as if she put more in, like my knee was going to explode out the side. I was not expecting that. I just held my breath, and when she was done, I said, 'Wow, that hurt. Why?'"

• Suz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "11-23-15 I got shot #1 of Orthovisc. The shot itself was not painful, but afterwards, the pain became intense. There was swelling, redness at the injection site, and at times, excruciating pain. 11-30-15 I was given a cortisone shot to get the reaction under control. 12-3-15 I got shot #2. The injection wasn't painful, but afterwards, it was horrible. There was redness at the injection site; swelling from the thigh to the ankle; fatigue; weakness; mild edema; body-wide pain, with arthritis-type pain in my joints and the excruciating pain in the knee. 12-7-15 Given a prescription for Prednisone. Did not receive shot #3. Finally, for the last couple of days, I can say the symptoms are about half gone. 1-29-16 Do your research."

• Bat...
• February 14, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "My first injection was easy peasy, the second injection, easy peasy. I'm currently on the 3rd injection, and it has been a killer. It feels like the space in between my bone was separating, it was an odd, painful feeling and hurts 2 days later. I have swelling on top of my knee and around the injection site. However, this knee has been a mess since my arthroscopic surgery last year, so this could have something to do with excessive swelling. I'm hoping this will give me my life back. UPDATE: I had to do the 4th injection a week later than planned and, oh my gosh, what a godsend! This injection felt like my 1st injection (easy peasy). I highly recommend taking a week break between the 3rd and 4th injections. My ortho told me I won't see real benefit for several weeks. I currently can walk without excruciating pain."

• Lul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I started the 3 injections and finished on Jan 16th. No good results! Pain worse than when I started. My good knee hurts, and also my hips. I would never recommend these injections to anyone I know. I read the good reviews and took a chance."

• Sav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "Not good, it's been a week since injection #3, and my knee is worse and can hardly walk this morning. I have more swelling, and the pain has gradually gotten worse with each injection. Waiting and hoping for delayed relief."

• che...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 26, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I was switched to Orthovisc last three years from Supartz the previous seven years. Insurance will not supply Supartz. With Supartz, seven weekly injections gave me tremendous relief for a full year. Orthovisc, with seven injections, lasted less than six months. Same relief, but less duration. Last year, I had fourteen injections in my 'bad knee' and six in my 'not as bad knee,' divided every six months. Within ten months, I was in pain and very limited mobility. The only redeeming factor of Orthovisc is my co-payment for ten injections is $13.33 total."

• JC1...
• September 17, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "Unfortunately, the three injections in my knee have done nothing to alleviate the pain. In fact, it is three weeks after all shots, and my knee is slightly worse than before. I am hoping that by six months, when it wears off for those who experienced excellent results, for me, it will be back to 'normal.' Perhaps another brand will work better for me. The first shot did not hurt at all, but after two days, it became very painful, so much so I could not sleep. It did finally settle down, but I did consider not finishing the shots at all. The second was somewhat painful and left a small bruise. The third was just a little painful. Before the shots, I wore a knee brace during the day and do that now, too. My doctor says I am not a candidate for replacement surgery."

• Anonymous
• July 10, 2011

For Osteoarthritis "Be positive. If you're in your forties when your pain starts, you are very, very lucky. I'm 24. So far, I have had one shot in each knee. They were both painful, but nothing I can't handle because let's face it, we're getting these painful shots because we have a yet more painful condition. In the end, mine were fine, but my doctor did use Lidocaine, which he injected first. I have already had the cortisone injections, and trust me, these Orthovisc ones start working a lot faster (but you really get out your cane the first two days after the shot, I warn you)."

• JYS...
• September 7, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I found the reviews helpful. In March, I had a shot of cortisone in my right knee. It was effective for 5 months. When my pain returned, the doctor recommended Orthovisc. I had 3 treatments, each a week apart. I had relief after a few days, but it didn't last. I had the final injection on August 30th. It really hurt, and I was light-headed afterwards and could hardly walk. The PA that gave me the last treatment had me rest until I felt OK to walk and drive. He told me to mark 3 weeks on the calendar, at which time I would feel no pain. (Did that mean I would be dead?!) After 8 days, I am almost pain-free! Now to see how long it lasts."

• Cap...
• December 5, 2009

For Osteoarthritis "I completed the third shot in the series on Thursday before Thanksgiving. After the first and second shots, I experienced about a 90% reduction in pain and did not need to take any pain medication at all. After the third shot, I started experiencing more pain again and needed to start using pain medication again. I am hoping it goes back to the 90% with no pain medication."

• JoJ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and told I was bone on bone. I have had cortisone shots, but now they are not working, so my doctor recommended Orthovisc. I had the three shots in both knees, and it was very painful. I am now four weeks since the final injection, and my knees feel worse than they did when I started. I do need to lose weight, and I thought for sure I would be able to get out and start walking and doing exercise to help in the process. Well, I can't walk, so I can't exercise. I really don't know what to do, and my doctor says I need to go back in April for another round of shots. I am even taking HA in pill form, but nothing is working. I really thought this would help me, but I don't think it has unless I am one of those individuals that it takes longer to work on. I am 62 years old and, until now, very active. It is very depressing."

• KPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I just finished my 3rd shot of Orthovisc in my left knee last week. I'm hoping to avoid surgery. No shot in right knee, had knee replacement for osteoarthritis 5 years ago. I went skiing yesterday (downhill), and it went great. I'd lost my left turn last year because my left knee was so painful, it was excruciating, despite Voltaren gel, naproxen 500 mg, and a knee brace. But yesterday, it had no pain. Today, both my knees are a little stiff, and they are still sore going down or up stairs, but not terribly. I had no reaction to the shots, no swelling or pain. The PA who injected my shots was very skilled, and though the second one hurt going in, I couldn't even feel number 1 and 3. Even so soon after these shots, I've experienced major improvement in my left knee. It was a hassle dealing with the insurance, and I still have a big co-pay, but worth it."

• YCA...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "Due to financial burden with the office visit copays, I had no alternative other than to receive the three weeks of Orthovisc all in one day for both knees. I'm in excruciating pain! Has anyone experienced the same when all administered? Not only was it just one knee, it was both!! How long does this pressure and stiffness last? Overall I can't feel any difference yet on my bone-on-bone pain. Hoping I can say later down the road that it has helped. I almost wanted to pass out, I had received numbing medication and spray as well. It was brutal!"

• Sha...
• June 12, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "I am a 45-year-old female with moderate right knee osteoarthritis, which feels severe because I have bone-on-bone right hip osteoarthritis. I have tried cortisone before, which worked great, but it seems osteoarthritis increased when the cortisone wore off over a very short time. I was desperate to try another therapy for my knee since I have always been active, but lately, stairs and long stints of walking are extremely hard for me. I tried Orthovisc for my knee in the last month: 3 shots, 1 every 7 days for 3 weeks. The first shot was okay - 2nd shot: I felt great after a week - the third shot was painful and took a little longer to recover. I'm assuming the 3rd shot was most painful due to soreness at the injection site. I notice the achiness during rain has gone away."

• HB ...
• April 25, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I tore the lateral meniscus in my right knee when I took a spill on our stairs. Had a partial meniscectomy. The MD also found a small amount of OA on the lateral femur and had it off during that arthroscopic procedure. He recommended gel injections. I had the series of 3 beginning 7 weeks post-op. I had swelling and decreased ROM with increased pain after each injection; the second was the worst. I am 13 days post injections and still have some joint swelling, don't have full ROM back, and do not feel the injections helped; I think they regressed my recovery. If I had to do it over again, I would NOT do the injections!!! So frustrated!!!"

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "My doctor thought this would be a good idea for me because of my knee condition I had had for years. I figured I'd give it a go, and big surprise, it made it worse, a lot worse - it was like he stirred up a hornet's nest after those shots. Now I'm having more trouble with it than ever before, with walking pain, sleeping pain, knee resting pain, it's all worse. I'm 40 and walk like I'm 80. Physical therapy was a joke considering my condition can't be fixed without replacing the knee. All physical therapy did was get me to shift my weight to one side, and now my other knee is giving me problems. I guess the doctor won't be happy until I'm in a wheelchair."

• BIB...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 27, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "Last June, I participated in a road cleanup, and after a half mile, I could no longer walk. Went to an orthopedist who took an X-ray. I got the impression that he just figured I was an overweight old lady who needed to complain. I heard his surprise when he saw I had bone-on-bone. He recommended three injections. The first one wasn't bad. The second hurt a bit, and after the last one, I couldn't even get off the table, it was so painful. Relief has lasted a year, and now I have an appointment to see a new doctor for another round. So, yes, as someone mentioned, the doctor you use makes a difference!"

• BIB...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 27, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "Last June, I participated in a road cleanup, and after a half mile, I could no longer walk. Went to an orthopedist who took an X-ray. I got the impression that he just figured I was an overweight old lady who needed to complain. I heard his surprise when he saw I had bone-on-bone. He recommended three injections. The first one wasn't bad. The second hurt a bit, and after the last one, I couldn't even get off the table, it was so painful. Relief has lasted a year, and now I have an appointment to see a new doctor for another round. So, yes, as someone mentioned, the doctor you use makes a difference!"

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 11, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I was sedentary after unsuccessful rotator cuff surgery, and the next thing I know, my right knee is throbbing. Pain that would wake me out of sound sleep. Trouble walking. Some days better than others. I had a meniscus tear repaired 15 years earlier. Figured worst case another scope. After MRI, they say I’m bone on bone and a potential candidate for replacement. Next was cortisone, which did nothing. Then tried the 3 Orthovisc injections 1 week apart. Injections with a numbing injection first were not bad at all. The knee felt unstable after each injection, and relief really didn’t start until about 3 weeks after the last injection. It’s been 15 months since, and my knee has been holding up well. Occasional issues with very heavy use like 6-8 hours of moving up and downstairs. Not sure I could be trusted to go on a 4-6 hour hike, but you have to adjust your lifestyle. I’m shocked to hear people had pain with the injection, and I can only think they didn’t get the lidocaine injection first."