Hyaluronan and Pain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "Had the Hymovis injections, 2 per knee one week apart. The pain three weeks after the injections was beyond unbearable. Slowly got some pain relief a few weeks after. Only lasted 4-5 weeks, and then the pain came back with a vengeance. Three months post-injections, and the pain is much worse than my original condition. I absolutely cannot recommend this $3,000 dollar an ounce German Vaseline. Regrets all the way down the line. I would definitely suggest going with a different product, something with a better track record. As far as I am concerned, this product should never be used on any human being!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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?"

• zel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "Hymovis should be removed from the market. My experience has been absolutely horrible. First injection, no pain relief. Second injection, done one week later, virtually crippled me instantly. It is now 15 weeks later; the constant pain, swelling, and instability in my knees are at least twice as bad as before the injections. The Baker's cyst behind one knee became enlarged and hard and shows no sign of resolving. The usual pain medications such as NSAIDs that I used before the injections now don't touch the pain or resolve the inflammation and swelling. Do not subject yourself to this gel."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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!!!"

• Cin...
• August 4, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I've been getting Orthovisc injections for 12 years. I'm 52, just had the first of 3 again this am. Makes a big difference for me, and has. Tried another brand, 3 shots in one, yikes, and didn't last. Yes, the 3rd shot is more painful, and yes, feels a bit wobbly at first after each injection but it's gone within a day. Still snowboarding, hiking, paddle boarding, wakesurfing more than wakeboarding (that is impact). Thank you for Orthovisc. PS, side note, have a reputable orthopedic with great PAs who mostly do the injections. It can go crazy painful bad with that long needle."

• 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."