Hi all., Still in heaps of pain & looking at options. I went for my 2nd opinion today from another orthopaedic surgeon. I think he gathered pretty quickly that I do not wish to rush intom a TKR unless it is the last option. He has suggested a Synvisc one injection which can last for many patinets up to 6 months or even longer. He said 1/3 patience get great results. 1/3 get partial relief of pain & 1/3 get almost no relief. It only costs about $400 or less out of pocket compared to $6000 for stem cell therapy so I think it may be worth a try. MY 1st orthopaedic surgeon who did my arthroscopy has never mentioned this. Has anyone has this done & did it hel[ ?
I used Synvisc and found it helped . It lasted about 6 months until I went for tkr .it wasn't the ideal answer but got me through until I could get the surgery
Are these the same as cortazone injection?if so i had 2 both very painfull and not 1 of them wjorked.i had to have a tkr and am now 18 wk post op and im ack walking and doing more than i used to.only thing i cant do is kneel..feels like im kneeling on very sharp razors and pins.x
I been getting synvisc injections for well over 10 years. I get the 3 shot series. 1 injection a week for 3 weeks. I think it's great stuff. I have it done every 6 months. Like a lube job for you knee.
not the same and steroids don't work with knee joints anyway. That let me know the facility I went to that suggested that were not very good. Google Synvisc and see it is a cushioning shot to replace lost cartilege. Lasted 12 months for me
Absolutely the best thing to try before a TKR. I had them for 3 years, every six months and it helped me greatly. Get the 3 seperate injections (one a week)..it's easier to absorb the gel that way. When they stop working, that is when you are looking at a TKR. Cortisone injections are a "quick fix" but very temporary thing and they can do damage to the joint if given too frequently. Good luck
For those it helps, I understand it is a miracle. They just shook their heads and said no when I me ruined it. Different problem.....different damage. If you are in the US, some insurance covers part of it ; however Medicare is really a different situation because they want a high % of success for their $$$ and synvisc doesn't deliver. The name refers to synthetic viscosity, a way of building a lubricant. A couple of people's had it until it was no longer effective told me the results were quick and when it worked, lasted over 6 months but when it wasn't going have an effect you knew it because they never got any relief. One guy said it was like putting all your money on red and every number but one was black. That's when he had the tkr. He regretted putting it off but in the back of his mind thought there was a chance he could avoid the knife.
Hope it works for you and lets you buy some time. No need to whack and chop till you have to. Pain level is the key
Thanks everyone - I expect some of you may have followed my story. Today was the day at the 2nd orthopaedic surgeon for another opinion. I was thrilled that he offered me other options other that a TKR for now, He said is under 67/68 years old he prefers to look at alternatives unless the patient says they have tried everything & are out of their mind with pain. My surgeon who did the arthroscopy offered me no alternatives. We also discussed Stem Cell therapy but as we know there is no full on scientific evidence but it has worked well for a lot of people. I thinking that I am going to try this injection first & if need be proceed to stem cell terapy if I feel the degree of pain required it..
I personally would not get that injection being I was talking to a person one day about the different kinds of knee injections & if I am correct that he told me it was a silicone injection he got going under the name you had used..he told me don't get that injection & showed me the after effect within weeks of getting that shot & the side of his knee had a ball the size of a marble that gathered together within weeks from the getting this shot that had a gel silicone substance that now he has to get surgery to have the ball of gel silicone removed...not good...Cortozone shots would be safer way to go & for some cortozone doesn't always kick in right away it can take week or more to start working for a person just to note that to you.. I myself am seeking soon to most likely get a cortozone shot being my knee has been having pain issues for ocer 7 months now walking with a walker & walking on egg shells...problem is also I was told I have CRPS & that if I was to get the shot could cause otger issues with nerves to be set off from the neddle so I must do more research on this though I am eager to get some relief from my knee & hoping to park my walker for good...wish you the best..God bless.
Cortisone is a anti inflammatory. Side effects include blood clots. Synvisc in not silicone. It is made from a roosters crown.
FYI...Synvisc is NOT silicone! If you are allergic to eggs/chicken, than you cannot use this injection. All injections into a joint carry risks, but they are minimal. Yes, there are exceptions to everything but the big thing is the person administering any injection! I have had both cortisone and Synvisc. They usually start out using cortisone until it is no longer is effective for you..than switch to Synvisc which can last as long as six months. Being an RN, believe me, I researched it thoroughly before getting it. Only wish that I had done more research on having a TKR and the recovery before I had mine 12 weeks ago. Recovery is much more than anyone will tell you except physical therapists. Stay with the cortisone or Synvisc for as long as you are able.
Hi Colleen. I tried it and it didn't help at all. Same with cortisone, several times. Had TKR on Sept. 6. after working in pain for 8 months. I should have had surgery right away. I do know one person who was helped by synvisc shot. It's worth a try. Good luck.
I've not heard the term cprs nor a definition of same. I would be interested in knowing what it is and how it affects the joint.
I am in the USA...over decades I had 3 knee injections before a TKR in 2000.
Each time a combination of both slow acting steroid and fast acting steroid was injected.
I was advised to be gentle with my knee for 10 days to allow the inflammation to come down before I returned to normal activity.
I
I was cautioned that the fast acting steroid would reduce the pain and try to make me think my knee was ready to rock and roll long before the inflammation was down.
I followed the admonishnents and achieved great results...unfortunately JRA could only be held back for so many decades
Hello, CRPS is complex regional pain syndrome, it can effect a person at any age can get it from an injury to the arm, knee, wrist, leg, joints basically any part of the body & can spread as well to other areas of a persons body, it can also be brought on by strokes or heart attack as well. my situation started from getting out of a sofa I gotten a sharp stabbing knife feeling to the exterior of side of my knee within days I noticed my left foot started to swell then three weeks later other foot began to swell with discoloring redness to feet & to my shins of legs with semi burning feeling as well pin pricking feelings in the feet when swollen with the feeling also of nerves in smaller toes inflamed & of tightness in feet & the knee. there are different symtoms of CRPS that effects in some cases someone can get a very painful feeling if a person is touched on their arms, legs etc..
With mine I must use a walker being it has effected my knee joint in a crippling way that I can get horrific jabbing pains to anywhere of the knee, as well very much tightness that pulls on my knee being the nerves & ligaments have been effected by CRPS it actually feels like my knee is so fragile & unstable that it feels litterally it is going to give out or snap in half... with an MRI & Xrays I have been told I do have a knee small spur & a moderate wearing on my tracking though was told this really isn't the issue causing my problems, I had asked about getting a cortozone shot but ortho doc says he wouldn't recommend it being it can trigger other issues with the CRPS.
CRPS can stay with someone for several weeks to several months & in worst other cases a few years..for thoughs who have CRPS & myself it is a challenge but I keep pushing on as well with much praying...take care & God bless.
Thanks for the explanation. Sounds like another of those syrange and unique things no one should have to deal with. I hope they can find something to make life more tolerable.
I'm blessed with one of those rarities, PVNS. The type I have caused major bleeding and ate up the knee. It can surface in any joint and cause unbelievable pain. I've now had 11 surgeries, 30 rounds of radiation and on my 3rd prosthesis in the same knee.
Best of luck to all that have to bear Your unfortunate malaise. I'd sure be skeptical of having another sharp object stuck in my body
May God bless you....hug
You are also an inspiration
hugs
SynVisc hellped me put off a TKR for a decade. Then I moved from Jersey to Texas; the warmer climate precluded the need for SynVisc for another six. Could have put this TKR off for longer by resuming SynVisc but, at 69, decided I'd rather get it done while I was strong enough to do the rehab.
I had the three-shot protocol (days 1, 8 and 15)...lasted almost a year each time. Some people have different results but, for me, SynVisc was liquid gold!!!
Hi Colleen sounds like you've had loads of advise from these lovely people in this group, can I just say please remember that we are all different & no two knees are the same let alone two people. I prolonged my op as long as possible being early 50s i tried every avenue first swimming, weight loss, in the end I decided to have the injections that were done in a clinic under X-ray they were cortisone, so many people told me at the time don't have them , I was going on holiday & had 3wks pain free which felt like heaven. We did loads of walking, swimming, tours, it felt so good I'm so glad I took the risk. The down fall they only lasted me 4wks & your only allowed 2 which I did . Then I found it wasn't choice if I wanted quality of life I had keyhole last year & Was told I need TKR ? I'd heard so many nightmare stories from so many people , I put it of to this year September & on the morning of my op I was told I could get away with 1/2 knee replacement ! Thank god all went well. So I'm about 8wks post op, I now only wished I did it earlier! So good to be pain free from awful arthritis. I've been back at work 2wks. The pain I have is truma pain that gets better everyday! In other words we are all individuals. Good luck Colleen ! X