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Is Synvisc the Last Resort Before Knee Replacement?

Synvisc, or hyaluronic acid, is used as a bio-lubricant to keep the knee joint working smoothly. Rather like adding a new synthetic oil into an older engine, Synvisc is used to keep things moving--even if there is wear and tear to the joint. The use of Synvisc is relatively new, and studies are still being done, but the results are promising.

  1. What it is

    • Synvisc is derived from the fat of chicken combs, and has been transformed into an injection that can be administered directly into the knee joint to aid in function. The process of injection is usually one given each week for five weeks. The injections, while painful and costly, are generally long-lasting and significantly improve joint function and quality of life for the patient. Relief lasts anywhere from several months to a year.

    When it is Used

    • Most often, Synvisc is used after other treatment options, such as physical therapy and injections of corticosteroids, have failed. Depending on the patient's problem, the use of Synvisc may be a last resort before a knee replacement operation. Generally, the use of Synvisc is a last resort before an operation of some sort is performed, but it does not necessarily have to be a knee replacement. There are surgery options these days that are tried before a total knee replacement

    How it Works

    • Since Synvisc is made from natural ingredients that blend into the body, it is absorbed over time, making re-injections necessary. The exact process of how Synvisc works in the human body is still a mystery, but exhaustive clinical and trial studies have shown that it does work. When injected directly into the knee joint over a series of five weeks, the lubrication within the knee joint is improved significantly, and the pain of grating bone is reduced if not removed. The knee slides easily back and forth along its femoral groove as nature intended, and even arthritic bones will have a slippery layer of Synvisc between them to ease movement. So it is a treatment well-worth checking into when you are trying to avoid surgery.

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