Sodium hyaluronate and Swelling: 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."

• Ex ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 5, 2014

For Osteoarthritis "I'm a 60-year-old male and active tennis player that is almost bone-on-bone in both knees. My orthopedist has recommended replacements. I opted to try Euflexxa. I had both knees injected in April of 2013 and again 7 months later. Both procedures have given me amazing relief. My doc lowered my expectations on the first round, so I didn't have high hopes. I was more than pleasantly surprised! Without these shots, I would be facing immediate surgery. I endorse Euflexxa highly. I did learn a trick: Ice your knee(s) 30 minutes BEFORE the injection! I had close to zero injection pain as a result. Also, ice afterwards to reduce inflammation. Good luck all..."

• Kne...
• April 30, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "I'm about to start my third round of Euflexxa. I tried Synvisc-1 twice with great results but only lasting 4-6 months. My first round of Euflexxa lasted almost 15 months, and I was pain-free most of that time. The second round was almost 18 months! No significant side effects, a little swelling and pain after shots, but not for long. I am very physically active; I teach or take Pilates 6 times a week, take yoga 3 times a week, and do deep water aerobics 3 times a week, in addition to walking my dogs twice a day. This medicine is a godsend. I am hoping to avoid TKR for as long as possible and stay happily active as well."

• Beb...
• December 5, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I had Durolane injection in both knees yesterday. I have a headache so bad. I feel sick to my stomach, my left knee is larger and hard from the top of my knee and down, he drained it yesterday as well. I don’t know what to I wish I didn’t get it. This is the worst feeling. If I feel the same tomorrow I will call the Dr's office again. My right knee is very sore. They feel like someone is hitting me in the knees with a hammer, not stopping? I hope it’s not a blood clot. I don't know. I can hardly walk. For me day 2 it’s terrible, thank you for letting me tell my experience"

• joh...
• February 10, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I am a 36-year-old male police officer and avid outdoor enthusiast. I had my 2nd ACL surgery in 2012. I am very active, and having constant knee pain was not an option. My doctor decided to try Orthovisc injections to help with the arthritis. The Orthovisc worked great. Unfortunately, my insurance required my doctor to switch to Euflexxa. After my first injection, I was in incredible pain. The second shot, my knee swelled, and the pain was unbearable. The third shot was even worse. I ran a fever, had nausea, headaches; basic flu-like symptoms. I have read a lot of the reviews on this website. It seems like patients either have good results or results like mine. I want future patients to be aware of the potential risks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "Day three after my first Durolane shots in both knees. Right knee, no problem. Left knee, pain with some swelling for two days. Now feeling great! I am excited to see how the next few months go. Word of advice: ice, elevate, and Aleve. Rest for 48 hours, it’s worth it! Good luck."

• Sus...
• December 31, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I have osteoarthritis in both knees, torn meniscus surgery three years ago. I have had two rounds of cortisone shots in the past year as well. Nothing has helped, so I decided I would try the gel injections. I wish I had read the reviews before I put myself through pure misery. Both legs were injected with Durolane on December 12, 2019. They were the most painful shots I have ever had! I could barely walk after the injections at the office. I followed my doctor’s orders and iced both knees several times. By the evening, I was in so much pain. I couldn’t sleep at all that night. I went the first two weeks with so much discomfort while trying to sleep. For several days, I could barely walk. Now it’s been three weeks, and my knees are no better. In fact, my right knee stays swollen, sore, and painful most of the time. My left knee aches daily. I can barely bend my knees, sit on the toilet, or put on clothes. I do not recommend getting these injections!"

• SC ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "Today is Day 5 after my injection. I really regretted the decision on days 1-4. Yesterday was particularly bad, with one of my knees buckling every few steps. Today, I have no pain, and I am greatly relieved. Apparently, the internal swelling caused the nerve pain. Swelling is gone, and pain subsided. Yeah!!!"

• Mem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I have two bad knees. The doctor had put Orthovisc in the right one a few years ago, and it’s been fine. The left one has become failing, so he agreed to inject it with a solution. I thought it would be the same thing. On the third injection, I saw the tube, and it was marked Gel-SYN3. That was 2 months ago. I am still unable to walk or climb up stairs without holding my breath. I have to help my legs out of the car. After sitting, I have to raise myself to standing with my arms. My right knee is starting to fail again because of the stress on it. I will refuse to have Gel-SYN3 placed inside my right knee joint after the first experience. The stuff caused my entire leg to swell, and a lump formed behind my knee."

• Mem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I have two bad knees. The doctor had put Orthovisc in the right one a few years ago, and it’s been fine. The left one has become failing, so he agreed to inject it with a solution. I thought it would be the same thing. On the third injection, I saw the tube, and it was marked Gel-SYN3. That was 2 months ago. I am still unable to walk or climb up stairs without holding my breath. I have to help my legs out of the car. After sitting, I have to raise myself to standing with my arms. My right knee is starting to fail again because of the stress on it. I will refuse to have Gel-SYN3 placed inside my right knee joint after the first experience. The stuff caused my entire leg to swell, and a lump formed behind my knee."

• jci...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "This is the 6-month after injection report. The first 3 weeks I had swelling due to too much Durolane fluid in my knee. Months 2, 3, 4, and 5 got better, morning stiff but flex out as the day goes along. Swelling started in month 6, not pain but sore when walking. My 3 Synvisc treatments worn out after 3 to 5 months. So I will get my second Durolane injection this week, see if it's as good as the first one."

• cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I have been getting knee injections for several years with great results. Last week, the physician gave me Gelsyn-3 instead of my regular one. I had many adverse effects from the drug: edema, joint pain, heat on the knee, bruising, etc. Went in today for my second injection and found out what happened. I was given Gelsyn-3 because the physician said they were reimbursed for a higher rate than Gelsyn-3. I called Bioventus and reported the adverse effects from their drug. They were very nice and recorded the information. I also contacted Medicare. Long story short, will be seeing another physician at a different practice because of this. Physicians should always discuss with their patients when something is changed so that the patient can make the decision. Not even an apology that I had a negative reaction."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "Got first shot 4 days ago, and my knee has been swollen every day since. Ankles are both swollen, cannot bend knee, and scared to even move...especially walk. Not sure I will make it to where I need to go. Before the shot, at least I could get around, now what am I to do? Knee replacement seems to be the only option. Contemplating!"

• Hur...
• April 24, 2024

For Osteoarthritis "I received Gelsyn-3 injections in both knees. One injection in each knee for 3 weeks. I have osteoarthritis bone on bone in both knees. My full review can be found on the reviews page 1 (under Hurting) as they don't want us to use our real names here in the reviews. I received these terrible injections in 2020 and I have never regretted anything more. My knees and femur bones pain and the thigh muscle pain is excruciating, also the swelling and feet pain. I used to be an active woman who walked every day. I gardened, worked in my flower bed, and got around fine before these injections, now I can't do any of these things. At this point in time, I feel that I have passed the point of the side effects of this drug and believe that I have been injured. This is my fourth year after receiving this horrible drug. Walking is almost unbearable. My life will never be the same. I went in for pain relief and now I feel like I am becoming a cripple."

• Jef...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I've had cortisone shots in both knees in the past, which helped with the minor pain and swelling at the time. A couple of months ago, my ortho suggested the Gelsyn-3 shots for a more long-term treatment. It's been 5 weeks since my last Gelsyn-3 shot, and I can barely walk across the parking lot, or pasture in my case. I now have severe pain and excessive swelling in both knees, especially in the area where the shots were administered. Now the pain has moved into my thigh and calf muscle as well. I struggle to straighten my legs out. And getting up after sitting down is impossible without assistance. Since taking the Gelsyn-3 shots, my quality of life has significantly declined in a very short period of time. I have no idea why there are such differing results, but I would warn that you carefully consider the significant downside if there is a negative reaction that I and many others have experienced."

• Jas...
• December 5, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "I've had 3 series of Euflexxa with good relief from bone-on-bone pain as long as I don't overdo. They make it easier to walk and reduce general pain and stiffness. They also help significantly with preventing my knee from going into a sublux position. The injections themselves aren't painful, just uncomfortable. My doctor uses a topical anesthetic and is very gentle. Any pain is brief. I have some very minimal bleeding and swelling at the injection site and take it easy afterward. I'm so grateful for Euflexxa. I received injections of Synvisc (similar, but with actual rooster comb as opposed to a synthetic) before. They worked great and I needed only 1 shot, not 3, but like many, I had a severe painful reaction with repeat injections."

• Ale...
• October 19, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I have osteoarthritis, bone on bone, both knees. The pain in the right knee is worse than the left. I had no relief from a cortisone injection. The right knee was injected with Euflexxa. About 72 hours post-injection, I developed bruising and swelling in the area that was injected. I was nauseous, hot, and sweaty, but had no fever. The knee was extremely painful, with increased swelling. Nothing relieved the pain. The doctor aspirated fluid and sent it for analysis and sent me for blood work. Results were normal. My experience with Euflexxa has been a nightmare. I still have pain at night and cannot sleep, and there is a constant nagging pain in the area where injected that is hard and extends upward a few inches. The doctor cannot tell me what happened. He has referred me to a surgeon to discuss knee replacement. I am thoroughly depressed over the entire experience, not to mention the constant pain."

• Bet...
• July 9, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "After severe swelling of my knee, my doctor decided that I was allergic to the stuff. Of course, this was AFTER he put all three shots in. I haven't been able to work as an ICU nurse for 3 months due to complications. I now have had to have surgery to remove the stuff from my knee. It has led to a sed rate of 56 (normal is 30) and swelling of the joints in my hands. I would not recommend this to anyone."

• Ted...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "I had 3 injections of Gelsyn for my osteoarthritis recently. My knees now are twice as bad, swollen, and I’m in way worse pain than before. I would never recommend these injections to anyone. I had Synovisc years ago (the other type), and it helped. My this Gelsyn has made my condition way worse. Don’t do it."

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "August 30 injection. Now December 8. No relief. Knee still painful and more swelling. Also constant ‘squishy’ sound & feeling when flexing knee. Feels like the gel is still just sitting in there in one spot. Can’t recommend."

• Cri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I'm a 43-year-old with a left knee that has osteoporosis. I had my meniscus repaired by surgery. I went to the required physical therapy. Everything was fine until it started hurting and swelling again. The orthopedic doctor then gave a steroid injection to my knee, and my knee got much better, but because I knew that would probably be a temporary relief, I wanted a bit more long-term solution. My doctor then suggested I get the Euflexxa shots. I agreed and was hoping for longer relief. I received one injection, and that was enough for me. My knee was hurting for almost two weeks, I could barely walk, it was swollen, and medication was not giving me relief at all. Now, almost a month later, my knee is not better. It still gets swollen, it hurts, and I can't walk like I used to right before the Euflexxa injection. I regret getting this injection and do not recommend the injection to anyone. It was a waste of money and a waste of time getting it."

• Tmo...
• June 22, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "Had my last of three injections in my left knee on June 2, 2017. I had about a week of minimal pain and some return of movement. Today, June 21, 2017, the pain is about twice as bad as before the injections, and my knee is swelled up so bad it's hard to put on jeans. The swelling has also moved down to my ankle. My left ankle is twice the size of my right ankle. My doctor told me to come back in 6 weeks for a cortisone 'booster' if I still felt pain. If I might need a 'booster', why was this expensive trash recommended in the first place?"

• syb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 24, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I'm glad I didn't read the reviews before having this injection, or I might never have tried it. My left knee is bone on bone, and I tore the meniscus on Christmas Eve 2020. My knee is in such bad shape the ortho surgeon wouldn't do a repair - said it wouldn't be worth it without replacing it totally. He suggested trying the Durolane injection, and I did. It didn't do anything for the first almost 3 weeks, but then one day I realized I didn't need my crutches anymore and could walk without pain for the first time in about 2 years. Yes, the injection is very uncomfortable. And yes, I feel crappy afterwards, and my knee is swollen, painful, and stiff. But I had 6 pretty much pain-free months before needing my second one just this week. I'm 53, and if this can help me put off knee replacement, then I will be a happy camper."

• 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."

• 101...
• December 7, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "After years of pain, I decided to get relief with 'Euflexxa' shots. Worst decision I ever made. I got my first shot on 11-4-15, and I have been sick with a fever-99.3 - 101.5 since then, and it is now 12-6-15. I went back to the doctor who gave me the 2 shots for the 3rd shot on 11-18-15 and showed him the swelling in my neck, along with the constant fever, muscle spasms, back and shoulder pain, headaches, joint pain, feeling weak, and constant terrible neck pain, so I can't drive. The doctor said that I have had an adverse reaction to 'Euflexxa' as after the first 2 shots my fever spiked within 24 hours. He wouldn't give me the 3rd shot, and told me to apply ice on my neck swelling and allow the 'Euflexxa' to wear off. Horrible nightmare-never again."