Synvisc Therapy For Arthritis
Synvisc injection into a portion of the body (usually the knee) affected by osteoarthritis (a.k.a. OA) is called Synvisc therapy. Synvisc is fundamentally an elastic vicious substance that is administered via injection into the afflicted body part to protect and lubricate the patient’s joints. Synvisc therapy is recommended only to patients who have already tried more conservative forms of treatment (e.g. physical therapy, painkillers, etc..
What is Synvisc?
Synvisc is not regarded as a medicinal drug, but is rather a device. Synvisc is derived from hyaluronan, a natural chemical found in all living tissues of your body. It exists in especially high levels in the fluid of knee joints as well as the general joint tissue.
Hyaluronan, which serves as a reliable lubricant and shock absorber, is crucial for healthy knee movement. Synvisc is a potent arthritis treatment since arthritis patients suffer from a decreased level of hyaluronan in the body.
Knee Injections
To date, the only synvisc therapy available is synvisc knee injections. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only permits using Synvisc in the knee and only for osteoarthritis (a.k.a. OA) cases. The FDA maintains that the effectiveness and safety of Synvisc for other locations and for condition apart from osteoarthritis have not been proven. So, generally speaking, Synvisc therapy can be done only on patients with knee arthritis, not for shoulder arthritis cases.
Synvisc injections are administered in 3 different sessions, each at one week intervals. Clinical researches have revealed that the total of 3 injections, each one week apart, is the best approach pain relief. Patients are recommended to complete all three injections to optimize the benefits of this treatment method.
Synvisc and Potential Side Effects
Various safety studies were done on Synvisc therapy prior to using it on humans. Research results show that synvisc is non-inflammatory, nonantigenic, and non-toxic. Today, synvisc has been administered on millions of arthritis patients.
Generally speaking, synvisc has no known side effects. But, because synvisc is injected directly into the joint, there are rare instances where patients experienced some discomfort, swelling, or pain in or around the knee. Nonetheless, this is very rare and the risks involved are only minimal.
Exercise or any strenuous activity is strictly forbidden in the first 48 hours subsequent to the injection. Playing tennis, heavy lifting, running, or any activity that may stress the knee is definitely not allowed.
Synvisc Therapy and its Benefits
Keep in mind that synvisc injections are by no means a definite cure for arthritis. Actually, to date, there is no known cure for arthritis. That being said, synvisc therapy is effective in relieving joint pain, and its pain relief effects can last for a minimum of half a year. In addition, this therapy will work in combination with other medications or other modes of treatment, and you don’t require a prescription to get it.
If you have experienced more traditional or conservative therapies for knee arthritis, and yet you continue to feel acute discomfort and excruciating knee pain, then a synvisc injection might be an ideal fit for you. Weigh your options, visit your doctor, and read everything you can about synvisc injections.
Related Reading:
- Arthritis Knee Pain: Understanding the Causes
Arthritis knee pain can be severe, overwhelming, and very difficult to deal with. We use our knees for so much whether it is walking, climbing stairs, or bending down to pick up... - Natural Arthritis Treatment – Glucosamine for Dogs
Dog arthritis can be caused by injury, congenital defects, or ageing. Surprisingly, injury is a major cause of arthritis in dogs, and therefore affects many younger dogs. Quite minor injuries can result... - Information On Rheumatoid Arthritis – 3 Ways To Help Every New Sufferer Cope
If you have just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis then you are probably feeling fairly overwhelmed and confused....
