Hyaluronan and Discomfort: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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!"

• Amb...
• May 16, 2014

For Osteoarthritis "I am 32 and have bad arthritis in my knee, basically bone on bone, the doctor says, but I'm way too young for a knee replacement. The doctor recommended the 4 Orthovisc injections every week for 4 weeks. Not going to lie, getting the shot itself was very uncomfortable. I have had 2 so far, and they have helped with pain, but it's getting the shots I don't like. They are helpful, but expect to feel discomfort during and for the few hours after the shot. My leg feels heavy until I 'walk it out.'"

• 15y...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I obtained relief (from swelling, hot, painful knee joints) after religiously taking glucosamine-chondroitin and calcium for six months. I kept this up with good results until pain returned in May 2016. PCP referral to an orthopedic surgeon who took x-rays of my hip and both knees and told me there was virtually no cartilage left, bone grinding against bone and bone spurs near both knees. I got a cortisone shot in the one knee, then the following week in the other, and then after two weeks or so, started the Orthovisc 'gel' shots in my right knee-once per week for four weeks. The needle going into the knee was not bad, but the pressure of the gel filling the knee was uncomfortable, but only for a few seconds. Excellent relief after the third shot with good range of motion in the knee."

• FL ...
• December 5, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "Last year had four injections in my right knee in November. It took a good three weeks after my fourth shot to be pain-free. It's a year later, and I needed to start the injections in my left knee. I have already started to feel some relief. I did not let the second knee get as bad before seeking this treatment. I'm back to tennis and will play Pickleball soon. I did start to feel some discomfort in my right knee again, so I will most likely start injections in that knee after the first of the year. Sure worth a try. Be sure to do your physical therapy exercises daily. I'm 66, so good luck!!"

• Ten...
• November 19, 2014

For Osteoarthritis "I have knee osteoarthritis. Medium to severe, with severe meaning I need to go down stairs one at a time. I am an active tennis player and have been for over 40 years. I am almost bone on bone. I did not feel the discomfort of the shots was any big deal. A little pinch or pressure, but nothing really. I made a concerted effort not to play tennis during the four-week period of the injections. After the fourth week, my knee pain went from a 7 to a 2. I was amazed and could walk down stairs with NO pain. A week later, buoyed by how great my knees felt, I went out and played three hard sets of doubles. Some discomfort after playing. Maybe up to a 4 in pain. Played a couple more times, and now I feel like I am right back where I started."

• 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!"

• 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."

• JES...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 28, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "Spent last summer in physical therapy to no avail. I have since learned that physical therapy just builds up the muscles around the knee to help stabilize it. After much thought, pain, and more thought, I decided to try the Orthovisc injections. I started with the first injection the third week of October 2017 and had the last, third, the first week of November 2017. It is now July 2018, and it still seems to be working. The injections stabilized the knee, and I have been almost pain-free. The only reason I did not give this injection a 10 was that they were quite uncomfortable to get!"

• 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!"