Synvisc-One and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 7, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "1st injection = mild swelling, then relief. Injection 2 = intense swelling and pain. Synovitis. Had to get a steroid shot. Injection 3 = they felt maybe the 2nd injection was in the wrong place and wanted to try again, I did. Worse swelling and pain. It is not a suck-it-up, buttercup thing. I am an Ironman and have had surgeries. This is abnormal and swelling to the degree of not being able to bend my knee to 90 degrees, nor straighten. It is painful and tight. Bad reaction, not good and not normal. Now I will be at the doc Monday, 72 hrs post-injection, b/c I am so swollen I can hardly function. He will draw fluid off and give me a steroid injection. This is awful anyway - too common."

• ADI...
• March 8, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I was told I had osteoarthritis, and surgery is not an option on my knee due to my age. I had the cortisone shot in August. It did nothing. Therefore, I had the Synvisc-One in March. Oh my God, there ought to be a law that ALL doctors should be frank with their patients who are in severe pain and seek relief. Lo and behold, I had the shot, which was somewhat painful, but bearable. The first night I was in agony... could not sleep for the pain. It has been a week, and severe stiffness has set in. A friend recommended Blue Emu for the pain and Tylenol. The Blue Emu helps, but the pain (which is as bad as last week) is beginning to subside during the day. At night... just horrible, I awake every two to three hours with pain! Never!!!"

• I...
• June 25, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I received the Synvisc-One injection 3 months ago, it did not help my pain. It caused me more pain and suffering. I can barely walk or sleep. The back of my knee, after waking up to start my day, I can't bend my knee without extreme pain. A week after the injection, I had started dragging my leg because the pain was unbearable. How can I have this injection removed from my knee? I can't live with this very, very, very bad pain from the Synvisc-One injection. The back and front of my knee is agony."

• I...
• June 25, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I received the Synvisc-One injection 3 months ago, it did not help my pain. It caused me more pain and suffering. I can barely walk or sleep. The back of my knee, after waking up to start my day, I can't bend my knee without extreme pain. A week after the injection, I had started dragging my leg because the pain was unbearable. How can I have this injection removed from my knee? I can't live with this very, very, very bad pain from the Synvisc-One injection. The back and front of my knee is agony."

• MsC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "Knee surgery in March for (I was told) severe arthritis and two meniscus tears. The recovery and therapy were awful! My doctor kept giving me cortisone shots, then he suggested the Synvisc. I finished the Synvisc treatments in July, and I STILL have horrible pain daily! I can't sleep through the night without the pain, unable to stand on my own without holding on to something, and every visit to a store, I look for a basket just to have something to hold on to. The surgery was a fail, and all the doctor will say is 'you had extensive arthritis, I had to do a lot of work once I got inside of your knee.' I am no longer able to straighten my knee out, I can't walk straight, which has now thrown my back out of whack! It didn't work!!"

• Bus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I have had one problem since I was 10: patella dislocations. I am 43 and had a partial knee replacement already. They knew that I had not had any surgeries and received the SYNVISC shot. The worst pain ever. Someone had to hold my leg. I could barely stand and limped in horrible pain. My leg has a big bruise and knot where the shot was administered, and the pain had been the same. Praying the pain subsides, but I don't have months to wait for relief. I don't think I'll be getting another. The pain had me crying on the bus ride home, and I have a high pain tolerance."

• cou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I received 1 shot in my right knee about 2 months ago. I wasn't really in much pain before the shot. I had torn meniscus surgery in the beginning of February and was told this shot would help my arthritis. I have pain in both my knees now, my lower back is in pain. I actually feel worse than I did before the shot. My right knee is swollen a bit, and I went back to the ortho doc, who said I have a little fluid build-up and to keep taking ibuprofen, and if not cleared up in a month, he will remove the fluid. The only explanation I have is these side effects came from the shot and have not helped me one bit. I wonder if anyone else has these side effects."

• JDM...
• March 7, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I received the Synvisc-One injection in early February in both knees. The injection was extremely painful for one knee. It's a month later, I'm still in pain, especially at bedtime. Lots of pain/stiffness in my calves and behind my knees. Not sure if I would receive another injection. Can surgery be worse?"

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "It's been 3 weeks since my first Synvisc One injection in both knees, left knee unbearable pain since day of injection. Pain in places I didn't have before. Pain behind my knee and down my leg, can't sleep, walk, or barely drive without pain. I am a professional dog walker, and this was supposed to help, not hurt. Will never get again! (I'm 42, severe bone-on-bone arthritis in both knees, have had 4 years of cortisone injections every few months, and take anti-inflammatory prescription daily, have tried physical therapy 3 times.) I guess I will just wait for knee replacements and put my life on hold until then."

• Pam...
• December 29, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I got the shot the first time, and I had no issues. The second time, I had an adverse reaction. Many people on this thread are saying they had chills, constant pain, they couldn't walk, they couldn't get around, their knee blew up, and soreness. That is enough adverse reactions. You need to go to your doctor and get the fluid drained off, and they have to be aware that you had an adverse reaction. I've been to the doctor twice for that, and it has been extremely painful. Really, I should have got the medicine in three different doses since I have arthritis so bad, but they never really informed me. I had an option, so I always took it one dose. No longer. I learned a lot from this last experience, and I just want to share with you that if you do have any uncomfortable feeling and swelling, pain, and fullness, and any other symptoms I described, that is an adverse reaction. You may see more and more of these, especially if you get it repeatedly, so please be careful and be informed."

• Pam...
• December 29, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I got the shot the first time, and I had no issues. The second time, I had an adverse reaction. Many people on this thread are saying they had chills, constant pain, they couldn't walk, they couldn't get around, their knee blew up, and soreness. That is enough adverse reactions. You need to go to your doctor and get the fluid drained off, and they have to be aware that you had an adverse reaction. I've been to the doctor twice for that, and it has been extremely painful. Really, I should have got the medicine in three different doses since I have arthritis so bad, but they never really informed me. I had an option, so I always took it one dose. No longer. I learned a lot from this last experience, and I just want to share with you that if you do have any uncomfortable feeling and swelling, pain, and fullness, and any other symptoms I described, that is an adverse reaction. You may see more and more of these, especially if you get it repeatedly, so please be careful and be informed."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I had the Synvisc-One shot in early May, hoping to be able to dance at my granddaughter's wedding. I had been walking 2 miles a day, five times a week before I had the shot. Within 72 hours, I was in horrific pain. I sent my husband out to get a walker. 3 weeks later, I wore a knee brace to the wedding, with a TENS unit beneath it to mask the pain. When I called the doctor, he prescribed pain medication. I didn't get it filled. I will not get hooked on pain meds. I have a friend I taught with who got hooked on pain meds, and it wasn't pretty. Anyway, it is now the end of August, and I still have pain in my knees just sitting in a chair or lying in bed. Wished I had read these reviews before having the shot!"

• Lov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I have always been a very active person. But I started to get a bulge around my left knee. Really not painful until I got back into heels. Then it ached. So I stepped down to my sneakers. If I did extreme lifting and carrying cases of water upstairs, that would ache. But I started hearing the grinding of my knee. I made an appointment with the ortho doc, got an MRI done of my knee. I needed a knee replacement! But I wasn't ready yet, even though I am getting up there, I surprise people all the time with what I still do. Got the shots, one in each knee. No big deal. 6 weeks later, I cannot walk, using crutches, in enormous pain. Knees so swollen and hard. Can't bend them. What do I do now?"

• wif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I had a Synvisc-One shot 10 days ago. Was so looking forward to it as the cortisone shot I had gotten before it lasted a short 2 months. I had tried earlier to have the shot, but Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield would not approve it 'til I tried other options. So then the cortisone was done. Then they approved it. It was a pain through Wellmark. And a bigger pain when the Synvisc-One was done. Excruciating pain! Thought I was gonna pass out! Barely made it to my car. I am in much pain. Can't bend my knee. Shooting pain from the tip of my toe to my butt. I am waiting impatiently. Some people say they got theirs done with ultrasound guidance. I did not. I question if he hit the spot. He is one of the top orthopedists in Cedar Rapids. Said may take 30 DAYS!"

• She...
• May 21, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "Just had my first injection of Synvisc-One yesterday. I have a high tolerance for pain, but it was terrible. So sad I did not read reviews. The doctor said it could not make me worse, and believe me, the Synvisc-One has made my knee worse. I have much more pain and swelling than before, along with the stiffness and popping. It’s horrible. I will not get the remaining two shots."

• Boo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I had a Synvisc One injection to my shoulder after the MRI noted limited cartilage remaining, some tears, and arthritis. It was uncomfortable to painful for 7-10 days, and since then has been extraordinary. I have no pain and minimal discomfort with movement. I used to wake in pain during the night, but I am no longer bothered at all. I have gone back to powerlifting and am able to bench press with no problems. It has been incredible and is still effective five months in."

• Pss...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I am experiencing more pain 2 weeks post-injection than I had prior to it. I have a great deal of stiffness. My knee is locked up, and when walking, it will buckle under me. The injections are very painful, and the doctor must have irritated a nerve because I'd have severe pain at the injection site from just brushing touch. Never, ever again!"

• Anonymous
• December 4, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "Acute pain and swelling 6 hrs after the injection, unable to walk, difficult to sleep. Can't bend my knee and in absolute agony. Day 5 and my entire life is on hold as it is very difficult to move, wish I would never have had the shot - dangerous!!"

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "Had a scooter accident in Bali in 2011, landed my whole body weight on my right knee. Now I’ve been told I have chondral degeneration. So, on 1/3/19, I had the Synvisc-One injection done, and the doc did a CT scan first but didn’t use ultrasound guidance to inject. I’ve had the worst experience! This is worse than the accident, I think! The pain has been horrendous. I ended up on heavy steroids to reduce the fluid buildup, it was so bad I’m now pushing 5 weeks this Friday and still can’t walk for more than a few hours without it blowing my knee up again. I finally thought I was getting better, but still, I’m suffering. I’ll never ever have another Synvisc injection again. Seeing a knee specialist tomorrow to see if there’s something that can be done to help relieve the pain as I can’t tolerate anything more than anti-inflammatories or Panadol."

• pre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 13, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I will never do Synvisc-One again. First injection got mild flu-like symptoms. Some pain relief, a little better movement, and some swelling for about 2 months. Six months later, I got the second injection, got flu-like symptoms again, only much worse, along with swelling in my knee and no pain relief. Cortisone injections to help counteract the second injection only lasted about a month."

• aud...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 11, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "2nd shot of Synvisc in 8 months. I had worse knee pain and discomfort and developed severe muscle hip pain. A $1000 a shot!! I feel that originally I had minimal relief but feel that this drug is overrated. I had to have a cortisone shot, which gave me comfort and relief from severe pain, and it was only $20! If need be, I can get one every 3 months, but most people will receive the injection every 6 months. A new drug is going to be released soon after its trial, and it is called Ampe. I am hoping that it will be successful. No one wants to get their knee replaced, and it is a final result..."

• Min...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I have had OA for many, many years. Have bone on bone with one cleanup 20 years ago. Yes, I need replacements but trying to hold off. I had cortisone, and they lasted maybe a month. Three weeks and one day ago, I had Synvisc-One injections. Yes, they hurt. Yes, the left knee was swollen and painful. But...I woke up this morning, three weeks and one day since my injections...wow!! The pain has been reduced immensely. I can't say how excited I am! The doctor suggested I have a cortisone booster in January...I can do that!!!! I've read comments that some shots lasted 6-9 months. I'll take that. I am a caregiver for my husband, and now I have some relief!!!"

• Min...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I have had OA for many, many years. Have bone on bone with one cleanup 20 years ago. Yes, I need replacements but trying to hold off. I had cortisone, and they lasted maybe a month. Three weeks and one day ago, I had Synvisc-One injections. Yes, they hurt. Yes, the left knee was swollen and painful. But...I woke up this morning, three weeks and one day since my injections...wow!! The pain has been reduced immensely. I can't say how excited I am! The doctor suggested I have a cortisone booster in January...I can do that!!!! I've read comments that some shots lasted 6-9 months. I'll take that. I am a caregiver for my husband, and now I have some relief!!!"

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I had a Synvisc-One injection in each knee. My right knee had no problems. My left knee filled with fluid after 24 hours. I had nausea, chills, pain, and a grapefruit-sized knee. I had it drained, and it instantly felt better. I was able to walk again. It has filled up again, not as painful, but still can't sleep due to pain. Waiting for lab results on the fluid."

• Ted...
• November 10, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I have my Synvisc-One injection in Aug 2018, and in Oct 2019 I got another injection, not by the same doctor. For me, this was a big mistake. My 1st injection in 2018 was perfect, no problems, and lasted over a year. For some reason, I changed doctors. It was the most painful shot I have ever had. When I returned to his office, he then discussed that over time and injections it can be more symptomatic. I should have been told that BEFORE the second injection. The doctor told me to check the medical literature. I did and can't find it. The second injection caused pain to radiate from my knee down my leg and from my knee to my hip, it's been three weeks. I'm going back to my old doctor to see if he can fix it. There are other injections (Monovisc) like Synvisc-One, and rotation between these injections may be an idea for anyone using Synvisc-One."