Sodium hyaluronate and Severe Pain: What Users Say

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "This year my insurance changed and decided I no longer needed the Synvisc-One injections that I had been getting for the past 3 years. They would only approve Durolane. I had never tried it and assumed it was an equivalent to the other. Boy, was I wrong!! I wish I had done my research before getting it. I received the injection in my right knee and immediately was overcome by excruciating pain that radiated throughout my whole leg. I was in so much pain and it would NOT stop. My knee instantly swelled and seized up. After an hour of sitting in the Dr.'s office, I had to get my husband to come pick me up from the appointment. I couldn't even get my clothes back on. I could not put weight on that knee for a week. The pain is worse now than before the injection. I do NOT recommend this drug."

• Dee...
• June 6, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I would not recommend this drug to my worst enemy. I had slight pain and periodically had the hyaluronic doses administered in 3 separate doses. Although I request this again, they said it was better to get the Durolane which is one quick dose. As a result of getting this injection, the pain from it was excruciating. It never left, waking me every night with severe pain. My mobility is worse now. I cannot say anything positive about this drug! I would rate it as a 0 on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most effective."

• Dee...
• June 6, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I would not recommend this drug to my worst enemy. I had slight pain and periodically had the hyaluronic doses administered in 3 separate doses. Although I request this again, they said it was better to get the Durolane which is one quick dose. As a result of getting this injection, the pain from it was excruciating. It never left, waking me every night with severe pain. My mobility is worse now. I cannot say anything positive about this drug! I would rate it as a 0 on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most effective."

• tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I just finished the third injection of Gelsyn. I went to the ortho because my knees hurt at night. I was able to walk, work on my vegetable garden, and my flower bed before the injections. Now, I am not able to do anything, my knees hurt all the time, and every time that I walk, there is so much pain in my knees that runs through my legs. Every morning when I get up, the pain is so excruciating that I have to use a walker all the time now. I sent a message to my doctor, and he responded that if I am on blood thinners or have kidney problems, they can't do anything. I responded that I am not either one. He didn't tell me about the side effects. I trusted him, and now I am a cripple. The nurse that administers the shots said that it will take 6 weeks to feel better. I will see if it is true. 5/11/21"

• oza...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "Supposedly, Durolane is artificial hyaluronic acid used for those of us who are allergic to eggs. Had a shot and could not walk out of the doctor's office. The pain was the worst I have ever had, and I have severe OA in both knees, which in itself is a lot of unending pain. That knee now has a whole lot more excruciating pain. Can't recommend it because I think it harmed my condition."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2013

For Osteoarthritis "The Euflexxa provides relief for me for the pain of bone on bone in both knees. Originally, the relief would last for a year, now it's down to about nine months. I have extreme pain upon receiving the injections. I'm very interested to see that no one else seems to have this. My MD/PA ices the knee first and uses a topical spray, but the actual injecting of the Euflexxa causes me a lot of pain. Yesterday, the PA kept telling me to breathe. She was afraid I was going to pass out. The first shot of the series of three is always the worst, so I'm hoping next week's injections won't be so bad. This is probably my fourth time to have these shots."

• InS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "Me again, it’s been almost 3 weeks and still no change! I filed a complaint with Durolane and the FDA, yet no one reaches out to me. I can barely walk, and I’m in severe pain around the clock from these injections. They have ruined the quality of my life! I was hiking and cycling prior to injections but had knee pain. Now, my legs are so stiff I cannot even bend them enough to do a pedal rotation on my bike! Do not get these horrible injections!"

• TX2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I'm 57 years old and suffer from moderate bilateral knee osteoarthritis. In October '16, I had to stop taking Celebrex due to gastrointestinal complications from NSAIDs. So, I opted to take Euflexxa injections for my knee pain instead of steroid shots due to a more 'natural' treatment. Two Wednesdays ago, I had my first Euflexxa shot, but the side effects were awful (unbearable knee pain for 4 days, chronic pain for 3 days, joint pressure). I searched on the Internet and found numerous reviews from people that experienced similar side effects. So this past Wednesday, at my appointment for the second set of Euflexxa shots, I explained my experience to the doctor and refused to continue the treatment. Euflexxa didn't work for me and left me more achy and very disappointed."

• Sla...
• November 7, 2013

For Osteoarthritis "I am 71 years old, and both knees are bone on bone. Total knee replacements are not an option for me. I was getting cortisone shots every few months, and they were helpful. The doctor advised me Euflexxa may help me, and I was given my 1st shot in the office, but with every shot I felt worse. I advised the doctor that the pain was so extreme that I couldn't walk. One week after the 3rd shot, I was given a cortisone injection in both knees, and one week later my left leg swelled up, and I was admitted to the hospital with a flesh-eating disease. I was close to 2 days from death and in surgery within a day to remove the bacteria. I was in the hospital and rehab for almost 4 months and am still in a wheelchair, getting home nurse care and on antibiotics."

• blk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "I started the Supartz injections in November of last year. Let me just say this, I am not 100% pain-free, but it is a whole lot better than the pain I was having before. The pain had me in tears all the time. But here lately, I have been feeling a lot of pressure. And I have been getting pain on the other side of the knee, like burning and stabbing pain now and then. But it is still better than it was before. The Supartz injections overall work for me, in fact, Thursday I am starting the injections for the other knee. And as far as staying off the knee and resting, I take it easy the rest of that day and the next I just go about my daily routines. I will ask more questions when I see my doctor on Thursday."

• MJ ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "Got my first cortisone injection for bone-on-bone right knee in July. Worked great! Dr. recommended trying Durolane for the next visit, can have pain relief for up to 6 months. I thought prayer was answered until the next day after the injection. Had horrible pain where I didn't have it before. Have had to go back to using crutches and a knee brace to get around. Where did the Durolane go? Dr. says I can have another cortisone, but I'm thinking it won't work this time because pain's location is in the actual joint where Durolane was injected, and there's no inflammation like before. It's now 32 days straight living and suffering with this new pain. Thank you, Durolane, for giving me a new pain and false hope."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "Getting the injections in my knees was the worst decision I have ever made. The shots themselves are the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced, and I could barely even walk to the car after my appointment. I could put no weight on my left leg for four days. Two weeks after the injections, my knees have not improved, and my calves are in excruciating pain most of the time, which was not a symptom before the injections. This never should have been approved as a viable option for osteoarthritis. I don’t know how it got past the testing phase! Durolane, in my opinion, should be taken out of use, and we should sue the manufacturer for misrepresentation and pain and suffering."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "This is a follow-up to my last post from September 24, 2019. I completed the five-shot series September 12th. It helped short-term. It is now 2 months later, and I am back to bad pain in my left knee. I will not do it again. Disappointed but have no interest in knee replacement. I have researched other options, but none seem very promising."

• Cri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "This is the worst injection on the market. I had the injection in both knees, the right one was okay for a while, but the left one got worse immediately after getting it. I got sick, the pain was extremely unbearable. What upset me more is my doctor never told me that the injection might not work or it might worsen my condition. He said this would make the quality of my life much better. What a lie. When I did see my doctor again, he then said it doesn't work for everyone and didn't want to hear how worse my knees are now. His solution was to have knee replacement. I only had a small problem and was doing fine before I got with this doctor a little over 2 years, now I am crippled and in severe pain daily. Both knees are damaged. I will do research on everything before putting or injecting anything in my body. There are physicians out here only to make a profit and not looking out for the patients' best interest, do your research.... Please!"

• 1tr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I am on my 3rd injection on both knees and in severe pain. The first one wasn't too bad, the second was pretty bad, this time I can barely walk. The doctor said I should start getting some relief soon, so I'm really hoping these work. I don't want to scare anyone away from getting these shots, I don't think my reaction is typical."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2011

For Osteoarthritis "I am in the middle of my second course of Euflexxa. I had it six months ago, and the pain relief was significant. One thing to note is that your doctor should place the injection exactly where your arthritis is. No improvement could mean he or she is not doing the injection in the right place. Another thing to note is that your activity tolerance in the first 48 hours after a Euflexxa shot can vary tremendously. I think most doctors use local anesthetic, and last shot I 'felt fine' and was walking around and using short flights of stairs too much, resulting in severe pain that night (Percocet needed) and still a lot of pain the next day. The third day I was fine, though. Today I got a shot, and I am taking it easy to avoid pain."

• old...
• July 17, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "Was having severe leg pain with 2nd shot, but Dr. gave me 3rd shot without listening to my concerns. 3rd shot disabled my walking for 3 months, lost energy to where I had to rest after taking a shower, unable to walk without a cane or assistance for 3 months, could not put a sock on my foot, as bending at all caused unbearable pain in the groin. Difficulty sleeping with pain without sleep aid. Would never want to experience that again. But, after 6 months, I am able to walk 2 miles daily without knee hurting at all. Primary doc said I had an allergic reaction to the medication."

• Joe...
• March 21, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I just received my last of 3 shots today. I'm in so much pain, and I have a very important computer install tomorrow at a big company, and I'm worried now. The first shot wasn't so bad, the second was about the same, but within days after the second shot, I started experiencing shooting pains all throughout my right knee. The pain progressed as the days went by. With the 3rd shot, as soon as the doctor removed the needle from my knee, I tried to bend my leg to roll down my pant leg, and it felt like someone drove a screw right through my knee. And the drive home was even worse. I had a similar experience with a cortisone shot a few years ago. I was told by another physician that it might have been an allergic response to the meds."

• AMC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I have extremely complex osteoarthritis in my knee. I have arthrogryposis and a rotated inward-oriented knee. My foot and ankle are fused. At 70 years old, my X-ray radiologist reported a completely disintegrated joint. Surgery is very difficult due to my diagnosis. The pain was crazy bad. I researched the scientific literature on various hyaluronic acid brands. Durolane stood out to me because it is a single injection and was reportedly more effective. It also has a lower incidence of infection. I asked my orthopedic surgeon to get some. Both of us were dubious of a positive outcome. After injection, I had quite bad pain for 4 days and had difficulty bending my knee. Now, the morning of the 5th day, I got up almost pain-free. My knee has not felt this good in 5 years. I hope this continues."

• Des...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "I received a shot in each knee because I have bone-on-bone knees. I have been getting Monovisc for years with no problem and was told when I got there we were using Durolane, which had the same components as Monovisc, so I said okay. Well, I could barely walk out of there holding onto my husband. I can’t drive, been in excruciating pain for 5 days now with no relief from icing, Advil, steroids, tramadol, rest, and elevation. Stay far away from this injection. I hope and pray I get relief soon."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "Just finished a series of 5 injections in Sept. 2019. The shots were uncomfortable but not really painful. I have bone-on-bone in both knees. Do not want knee replacement at 67. I felt great after the first three weeks. Now, a week after the injections, I have sharp pain in one knee. Hoping it just needs more time to kick in. I am able to walk 3 or more miles in the morning at this time."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "My doctor recommended Euflexxa as he believed it would last longer than the injections he had given me previously. A few days after the second injection, I started experiencing extreme pain in my knee and lower back. So severe at times, I couldn't walk. I told my doctor, and he suggested we wait an extra week before the third injection to see if the pain went away. He thought maybe it was the way he injected it. I had the third shot, and the same thing happened. Two days after the injection, I was in such severe pain again, my knee and my lower back. I again reported it to my doctor. I will not have this injection again. It is now two weeks after my injection, and I still have the pain."

• Ben...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "My provider injected at only one site, not several. He claimed I only could get 1 injection, not the 3 recommended. That’s for the best because I am having unbearable pain in my thighs, they feel overinflated footballs. So much product was injected that my pelvis was pushed up. Now I have pinched nerves constantly pulsing in my back and lower back pain. I have been falling because my knees are so swollen and tight, like cement. I had Suarez many years ago and can 100% recommend it. There are too many negative reviews on this page. My advice is to stay away from Gelsyn-3. Please take this seriously or you may deeply regret having your mobility and your life taken from you."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "Having Durolane injections is the worst thing I’ve ever done in my life. For four days, I could not even walk, and now my knees are in twice the pain as before the injection four weeks later. Twice a year, I get cortisone injections that give me relief and are not as painful to administer. Durolane was absolute agony getting put into my knees, and I would caution anybody to never get these injections. I believe it should be taken off the market because I’ve only been able to find a handful of reviews where they had a positive outcome."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "I received one injection in each knee Tuesday. I walked like a penguin for 2 days, then Thursday I began experiencing sharp pains in my left pelvic/inner thigh area. The pain comes back spontaneously and makes me scream and catch my breath. If I press and hold, the pain becomes bearable enough to limp to a chair or to my bed. Eventually, the pain subsides, but spontaneously and unpredictably keeps occurring. I’ve never had this experience with any other medication. My knees are still aching and I’m still propping them up on pillows. 30 minutes ago, my right knee felt like it was buckling."