KNEE ARTHRITIS - Injections into the joint :

Synvisc reaction - - Posted by JeffS (JeffS), 29 November 2003

Injection #1(day1): no pain, no swelling.
Injection #2(day : a little pain, swelling
                    day 9: much less pain while walking (than before whole treatment), i.e. it was working!!! (I believe it was from shot #1, as it takes the body 5-7 days to metabolize. I was told)

Injection #3(day 15): a little pain, swelling
                   day 16: more pain,swelling
                   day 17: knee has ballooned, larger than it has ever been.  Knee will not bend to 90 degrees.

Anyone else had this situation?
Posted by missmyknee (missmyknee), 29 November 2003

Hi Jeffs

I had synvisc in August and my doc told me if I experienced the symptoms you are describing that the doc should be notified esp with that much swelling and pain and if any redness is noted. I would let your doc know.

Pam
Posted by zelda (zelda), 29 November 2003

Sorry about your reaction.  You certainly should contact the doctor.  I am 9 weeks past my last injection.  Although my osteoarthritis is severe I have been very happy with the results - no pain to speak of - sore and stiff.  I did not have any redness or swelling after first day when I put ice on it for a short time.  Good luck.  Zelda
Posted by JeffS (JeffS), 30 November 2003

Thanks. Was told by doctor that if swollen due to infection, the whole knee is red, sore in rest position Mine is (massively) swollen. but not so painful at rest; just can't really walk  (let alone ski, which is bummin' me out this weekend, with a 16 inch dump and World Cup downhill@Lake Louise)
 
Only yesterday did I hear another doctor mention the "synvisc flare"(like it was common...).

Seems awfully related to my pre-injection knee problem, which was the tendency to really swell up when used. But even with 3 hours of tennis, it never got this big...
Posted by babywoman (babywoman), 30 January 2004

I have just completed my 3 Synvisc shots and I am having alot of pain and at times can not bend my leg. I cannot get anyone to tell me if this is normal with these injections. If it is I would be interested in how long it takes to see some improvement.
Posted by phradil (phradil), 30 January 2004

I don't believe that is normal.  I had three in September and had very little discomfort - no pain - just put a little cold on it for one day off and on and my knee gradually got much better.  It is wearing off now some and I will have another series in April, I hope.  I would call my doctor if I was you.
Posted by just_jill (just_jill), 1 December 2004

I had the Synvisc injections in September, 2004.  The first two shots weren't too bad, just a couple days of mild pain.  The third shot was the killer.  From the time the needle went in, I knew it wasn't going to be good.  It felt like it hit a brick wall.

Since that time, the knee has been sore to the touch and aches all the time.  Any amount of walking, standing, etc makes it hurt.  Unfortunately, I've seen no relief of the symptoms and it's been two months.  

My OS gave me the option to be referred on to someone who deals with "my type of knee problem on a regular basis".  After getting the synvisc injections and having this reaction to it, I took him up on it.  Go to see the new OS on Monday, 12/6.

Has anyone else had this type of reaction to the synvisc??


jill
Posted by missmyknee (missmyknee), 1 December 2004

Hi Jill

I see by your signature that you had a horse accident. My whole leg and knee mess began with breaking my leg in 4 places from jumping my horse 4 yrs ago.

I had synvisc the summer of 03. My second injection was my "killer" injection. I had to use crutches 3 days because of the pain and lack of ROM. That 2nd injection was given by my doc's partner so I thought it was poor technique. I was told that I should see improvement if it was going to help me, by the third or fourth week after the last injection. You should definetly get it checked out with continued pain and swelling 20 mos out. My synvisc never did help me.

Pam
Posted by just_jill (just_jill), 1 December 2004

 Thanks for the reply Pam!  Were you able to go back to riding?

I've had my share of horse accidents, but this one has done the most damage.  

At any rate, I had my surgery 1/03 and was riding again by 4/03.  I kept the knee braced when I was doing any riding, alot of walking, etc.   There was a short period of time where the knee didn't feel too bad.  No daily agonizing pain, just the common aches/pains of use and "getting older".    I spent the winter doing strength training, walking on the treadmill and using the recumbent bike, but I didn't see much change in the right leg.  When spring rolled around, I was riding 2 horses 3-5 days a week getting them ready to show.  Still always brace the knee when I'm doing any riding or lengthy walking.  But the pain really started getting worse again about mid-summer.  When I had the surgery, the doctor said I might never be pain free, but now I'm back to the daily, "it hurts really bad" pain.  

Doc said we could try the synvisc but wasn't sure if it would help or not.  It didn't  

My new husband is having fits with me ....doesn't want me back on the horses.  And I'm not ready to give it up yet.  Have unmet goals so I'm really looking forward to seeing the new OS.  I'm hoping he'll give me some sort of exercises or other solutions to help me get back to somewhat of a normal daily life and that he'll say it's okay to continue riding this spring.  

Darn horses anyway!  

Best wishes to you!

jill
Posted by grannynan (grannynan), 1 December 2004

I had 2 Synvisc injections in late August, early September.  The first injection did not really hurt but I noticed extreme pain and swelling and very poor ROM (I had a terrible time getting in and out of the car) within 1/2 hour after the injection.  I was on crutches and T3s for the following week. The OS said he wanted to do the 2nd injection, but if I had the same reaction we would abort the treatment.  At 9 days, I had my second injection.  I had the same reaction, but lost more ROM which I have not completely regained.  Needless to say, I didn't have the 3rd injection.  I was told that type of reaction is quite rare.  I personally know of a few people that have found Synvisc to be a miracle.  I've since been scheduled to have a TKR on December 7th.  Good luck and keep us posted!
Nancy.
Posted by missmyknee (missmyknee), 1 December 2004

Hi Jill

I originally broke my leg in Aug of 2000. I had 6 surgeries including rebreaking the leg during the next 2 yrs. I finally got back to riding 8 mos after the 6th surgery. Did 2 twenty min sessions and was in so much pain and couldn't walk for 2 weeks. That was 2 yrs ago.  I haven't ridden since and miss it terribly. The sad thing now is I have a stress fracture to the tibia I broke. I think it happened from rehab of all things. I finally got my TKR scheduled for Jan 26th and I hope this doesn't interfear.

Pam
Posted by just_jill (just_jill), 1 December 2004

Wow Pam, makes my ordeal sound like a walk in the park.    I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope that the TKR helps.

Sure hope you recover to the point that you can get back in the saddle some day.  True horse people don't understand that desire, do they?!

Take care!
j
Posted by just_jill (just_jill), 1 December 2004

Hey Nancy,

My doctor offered to delay the third injection due to the pain I had, but I went ahead with it.   Sort of sorry I did now.   From reading all the posts, the reactions sure don't seem to be as rare as they'd like us to think, huh?  But on the other hand, my mom had injections in both of her knees last spring and had great relief.  Has OA in both and scheduled for double TKR in January, so she only had one series of shots.  

So I guess alot depends on the person and how our bodies hand the pain, inflammation, etc.

Best wishes for a successful surgery.  Will keep you in my thoughts!

Thanks for the reply!
jill


Posted by grannynan (grannynan), 2 December 2004

Thanks, Jill.  Good luck with your new OS.  I saw a new one in August.  He did the Synvisc injections and is now  doing my TKR and he is WONDERFUL.  I hope you are as lucky as I am.  It's hard to believe there's an end in sight now.
Nancy.
Posted by BullDancer (BullDancer), 11 December 2004

What is the Fulkerson procedure?  also, my doctor is a rheumatologist, I notice most of the posters go to orthopedic surgeons.  Don't rheumatologists treat arthritis and inflammatory diseases?  I'm confused

This old Forum was so valuable that we have kept it as an archive. It is just for reference. If you want to ask questions or offer advice, there is also a current Bulletin Board which you can access from our home page.