Synvisc-One and Swelling: What Users Say

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 21, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I've been having Synvisc injections every 6 to 7 months for the past 2 years. Sometimes it's a rough couple of days with pain, swelling, and trouble walking, as I have it done in both knees. But once that's past, I am almost pain-free. I hope to push off a knee replacement for a few more years. I'll continue to get injections as they have made a significant improvement in the quality of life for me."

• Jas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 12, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "Having lost a quarter-shaped size of cartilage in my right knee, so bone on bone in that one, and in the left knee, advanced osteoarthritis which hurts more than the right, I know about pain. Synvisc is the best! I take 3 shots over 3 weeks (2ml per injection), and it lasts anywhere from 3-5 months. The lasting relief is that I don't get pain from walking or sudden nerve pains during that duration. Everyone is different, but I just get the shots done, no numbing-that's just silly because it's only a needle, for God's sake. Yes, I sometimes get swelling after shots, but reading some claims about 'ruining my life' and 'pain' is really foreign to me. I really like Synvisc, it greatly improves my quality of life. My advice is to 'suck it up, buttercup,' and get the shots."

• Dum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "The orthopedist recommended Synvisc-One for O/A I have in my right knee. I also have patellofemoral osteochondritis. I read many reviews here and decided to have it done X-ray guided vs. just by hand touch to make sure the injection is precise. The radiologist put my knee in a certain position and went through the side, interior side of the knee, so the injection itself was successful and didn't hurt much like others wrote. The knee felt swollen for two weeks with some pain, but after that swelling went away, my old pain came back, the pain under the patella. Today is three months and a half since the injection, and I see no improvement. In conclusion, it didn't help me at all."

• map...
• January 27, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "Excess fluid was aspirated from my knee prior to Synvisc-One injection. My doctor informed me that numbing was not recommended. Aspiration and injection were not very painful at all - just the initial 'pinch.' Swelling was minimal but pain lasted almost a week. 10 days into it, knee is feeling much better. I would do this again."

• rep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I got this shot on March 17, 2016. It was a preventative measure because my knee is bone on bone, and I would get a cortisone shot every 6 months. 24 hours after the shot, my knee swelled up, and the pain was incredible, I couldn't walk. Three weeks later, after having my knee drained and injected with medicine, I had emergency surgery to flush out the Synvisc. I've been out of work now for 6 weeks, and with going to therapy, I am starting to walk a little better. I hope to return to work in 2 weeks. I had arthroscopic surgery 10 years ago on my other knee, and the day after surgery I was much better than I am 6 weeks later after a preventive shot. Be careful, I think they are hiding all the bad reactions to Synvisc."

• Ebl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "I had a Synvisc One injection in both knees about a week ago. Initially, I was told to expect pain and swelling for the first 48 hrs. So, I took it easy and stayed off my feet. As the week went on, the pain and swelling progressed. Exactly 7 days later, I ended up in the ER with excruciating pain, swelling, and stiffness. The doctors removed 110 cc's of fluid from my left knee alone. I was later released and told to follow up with my physician. To date, I am still in continuous pain and have difficulty walking. I wish I had never done this."

• RRN...
• December 27, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I have had 2 injections over the past year. I am reading many reviews where there is pain when the injection is given! The doctor numbs the knee, but the injection is very painful. This pain lasts several hours, and I do have swelling. Once the initial pain and swelling are over, I feel the Synvisc is working. I was having pain up and down the right leg radiating from the knee. That pain is gone, and I am able to take my daily walks. I am 62 and led a very active and athletic life. Though I can't run the half-marathons anymore, my daily life is pretty normal with minimal knee pain."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I had injections in both knees today of the Synvisc One. This is the third time in a year and a half. First one injection, no problems, no side effects, but a little sore afterwards for a day. After the second one, I had stiffness and pain for a few days. I called the office and was told to use ice. After three days, it was better, just a little sore. I had the third one in both knees today, and OUCH! The right knee didn’t hurt much due to it being numbed before they did it. The left hurt. I was sore walking out, but okay. About three hours later, my knees are stiff, excruciating pain, hurting all the way down to my feet, swelling. I cannot get up from a sitting position. I cannot bend my knees, they are so stiff. Walking is horrible, and I need help with my legs not wanting to move. I’m elevating with ice. I need relief."

• god...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2014

For Osteoarthritis "I had Synvisc-One injections about three weeks ago in both knees. A few years ago, I also had the injections over 3 weeks with no serious pain or aftereffects but lots of relief for 18 months at least. This time, with just one injection, my experience was horrendously painful during and after for 24 hours. I had to be taken to my car in a wheelchair after the injections due to pain and swelling. Ice did help. I wish he would have numbed the area first, I think that would have helped. For 2-3 weeks after the Synvisc-One injections, I had pretty significant ankle and foot swelling that I'm sure were from the injections. I am beginning to feel improvement now again. I think I might opt for the 3 injections next time, less pain."

• god...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2014

For Osteoarthritis "I had Synvisc-One injections about three weeks ago in both knees. A few years ago, I also had the injections over 3 weeks with no serious pain or aftereffects but lots of relief for 18 months at least. This time, with just one injection, my experience was horrendously painful during and after for 24 hours. I had to be taken to my car in a wheelchair after the injections due to pain and swelling. Ice did help. I wish he would have numbed the area first, I think that would have helped. For 2-3 weeks after the Synvisc-One injections, I had pretty significant ankle and foot swelling that I'm sure were from the injections. I am beginning to feel improvement now again. I think I might opt for the 3 injections next time, less pain."

• god...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2014

For Osteoarthritis "I had Synvisc-One injections about three weeks ago in both knees. A few years ago, I also had the injections over 3 weeks with no serious pain or aftereffects but lots of relief for 18 months at least. This time, with just one injection, my experience was horrendously painful during and after for 24 hours. I had to be taken to my car in a wheelchair after the injections due to pain and swelling. Ice did help. I wish he would have numbed the area first, I think that would have helped. For 2-3 weeks after the Synvisc-One injections, I had pretty significant ankle and foot swelling that I'm sure were from the injections. I am beginning to feel improvement now again. I think I might opt for the 3 injections next time, less pain."

• Bam...
• August 22, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "After two knee scopes, a cortisone injection and a Synvisc-One injection last week. I was told it could be a month before any relief. Knee hurts so bad at night I cannot sleep. So far, my knee problems, i.e., pain, knee collapse, and swelling, are worse than ever. Hope it starts working soon."

• WW ...
• November 21, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "Well, I have had a Synvisc injection in each knee once a week for the past 3 weeks. Unfortunately, the swelling and stiffness have been almost unbearable. I have a very high tolerance for pain, but it has kept me up at night for the past week. I am now icing my knees for 20 minutes every 2 hours and staying off my feet as much as possible. I have read that these side effects can last up to 3 weeks (I hope not). It is very difficult to get up off the toilet and I have had to use a cane the last 2 days. It has now been a month since my first injection, and I noticed the symptoms worsened with each one! They have cost me $700 from Canada. Insurance would not pay for medication."

• Nan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 28, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "Been receiving Synvisc injections approximately every 6 months for the last 3+ years. They help tremendously. There is always a little soreness and swelling of the knee for about a week after the injection, but then I get 6 months of pain-free activity. That's a pretty good trade-off if you ask me."

• 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."

• Ani...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "Just to placate some fears after reading these reviews, I'm glad I didn't read them BEFORE my injection yesterday. It absolutely did not hurt at all, just a little uncomfortable/weird sensation as it went through the fibers into the joint. My Dr used the ultrasound before/during/after. Today - 12 hours later - feels 'full' and a little swollen, but definitely no pain."

• 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."

• 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."

• jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I had my first Synvisc-One injections in both knees 4 weeks ago. Had the recheck with the ortho today. Pain improvement took 3 days. Some mild heat and swelling the day after, but didn't last long. Injection site was a bit painful for about 3 to 4 days, but completely tolerable. The doctor's projection is that I should get 6 months out of these injections. These injections help me tremendously! My knees aren't 100%, but never will be again anyway. My mobility and pain level improvement is easily 60%, if not a bit more. I'm thrilled! The ortho specialist has recommended bicycle or elliptical as appropriate exercise. Very happy there has been this much improvement in such a short time!"

• 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."

• Ber...
• May 15, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I too had a similar experience. My first injection was given to the lateral knee site with mild stiffness and pain. My second injection was given to the inner part of the knee with severe stiffness and pain, this was Wednesday. I called the doctor to report my symptoms, and he prescribed Toradol on Friday, the same week. I've been limping, struggling to get around with minimal relief, and the swelling and stiffness are still there. I also had a low-grade fever. It's now Sunday, and I will be calling my doctor on Monday. I wondered if it was because of the different location, but I don't know. I watched a video on the internet by a doctor explaining and performing the injection procedure. He said the injection needs to be given in a very precise area of the knee, laterally preferred."

• Pur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2018

"I had the Synvisc injection, and exactly 30 days later, my knee was swollen. Couldn’t bend, drive, barely walk. Dr. ordered an MRI, it was clear. Doctor drained my knee and said it was an allergic reaction to this gel injection. Started to swell again within the hour of having it drained. Called his office and was told this can happen and to just stay off my knee. Ice, ibuprofen. I just don’t understand how I can get an allergic reaction to something that’s been in my body for 30 days. This was a mistake, I should have never tried this."

• 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!!"

• 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."

• 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!!!"