Synvisc and Pain: What Users Say

• Met...
• June 29, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "For anyone considering Synvisc, I'd like to share that I've had both knees done twice and will continue to have the injections. Some background: I'm 59 years old, 5'6', approximately 175 lbs. The first time I had Synvisc injections (in both knees), it took about 5 weeks to experience the full benefits, but once it 'kicked in,' there was zero pain and complete fluid mobility! For almost a year, my knees felt 'brand new!' I've recently had a second set of injections (both knees) and although there has been a bit more pain in the recovery, each day there is definite improvement. I must caution anyone who gets these injections not to panic if there is noticeable pain initially after the injections. Take it easy. It gets better!"

• Ane...
• July 25, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I received Synvisc injections to both knees, and I wish that I could have had the steroidal injections instead. The PA was bragging about this medication, so I said go ahead if it’s more effective and the relief lasts longer than the anti-inflammatory steroid - I am ready. Before the Synvisc, I could take short walks with my dog, bend down to put his harness on, but it was painful. Now, one week since my third injection, and I have a terrible time trying to walk upstairs to my bedroom. The pain in both legs is unbearable, it feels as if I have fire in both of my thighs, knees, and calves. My legs are very heavy, swollen, and it feels as if I am carrying someone else’s legs. The pain and burning are nonstop. I try to find somehow a decent position with pillows to attempt to fall asleep. That is with taking my opioid pain medication, Gabapentin, and Tylenol PM. Once I find a fairly comfortable position and use ice packs to calm the pain, I then am afraid to stand up and fall."

• Jos...
• June 29, 2014

For Osteoarthritis "My wife recently took her second injection of Synvisc One, about 6 months after the first. The first seemed to help reduce the knee pain a bit, and she was looking forward to a similar experience. However, it appears she had a severe allergic reaction to this second dose with many of the symptoms described in the adverse reactions section of the clinical trials. By the afternoon of the injection, she was experiencing severe back pain and thigh pain along with chills and shivering. By the evening, she was not improving, and her fever reached 104 with nausea and vomiting. We took her to the ER. They could find no evidence of infection through blood and urine tests. Her fever and nausea improved, but her stomach was still upset two days later."

• Dog...
• July 10, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I had the triple shot 5 years ago to my left knee. My knee swelled up horribly, and I could not do any of my workouts or dancing for 6 weeks. I was miserable and did not ever want to have it again. The upside is that after 6 weeks of pain, it worked for 5 years. I just had the shot done to both knees and have not had any swelling, and it has been 48 hours. My right knee is catching with any quick movements. Hope to have success after a few weeks. It did hurt really bad during the injection, but I don't think that I received any local anesthetic this time. I think that may also contribute to the swelling when extra volume is added to the area. I also did not do any activities for 48 hours, which is difficult for me."

• Mir...
• August 19, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "Initially had Synvisc-One injected into my knee, with only slight benefit (scale of 1-10, improvement to a 4 at best). Several months later, had knees treated with the 3 injection Synvisc, and it was a Godsend, on a 10-point scale, the improvement has been as high as a 9! Three months have passed, and some minor pain has returned, but still maintaining a 7 on a 10-point scale."

• Til...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 9, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I've had multiple Synvisc, cortisone, and aerations over the last 5 years. The process is easy and pretty much painless. The results were beneficial, but the pain would always return (usually in 6-month intervals) and get progressively worse in frequency and intensity. When the pain got so bad it was difficult to walk, then I would schedule another appointment. A little over 1 year and 3 months ago, I decided to start strengthening my leg muscles with weights as opposed to cardio by walking and the elliptical. Do not do the leg extensions as I found out these only make things worse. I do leg presses and reverse leg curls with a compression brace on both knees. Most of the pain is gone (90%) at this time period and is still getting better."

• Sam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 27, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "Have had Synvisc shots every 6 months over the past 7+ years, and they provide excellent relief for up to 6 months after each shot. Both knees are bone-on-bone (no cartilage left), but Synvisc shots, occasionally knee straps, and icing when overdoing provide great relief. They should be freezing the injection site when giving injections. If you experience a great amount of pain when you are given the injection, find a new doc. Only had one PA that needed more schooling. That was painful, but the rest were just minimally uncomfortable. A great med!"

• Ivy...
• April 5, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I have osteoarthritis in both knees equally since 2008, so I got 3 Synvisc injections in the right knee in June 2008. My left knee never bothered me for some reason. Yes, the injections are painful. However, I don’t recall having any bad reactions. I keep reading in people’s comments that they last approximately 6 months. I have been pain-free for 10 years! However, now my left knee hurts like my right knee did 10 years ago, so I will be going back to get the same treatment done on my left knee. Hopefully, with the same results!"

• pgc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 14, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "Had Synvisc shots in both knees 5 years ago. Within days, the knee aching I had suffered for several years went away. I began moderate exercise again and found knee stability much improved. No sense of the knee twisting or shifting unexpectedly. Went for two years before getting repeat injections. The improvement was again within days. Before the second shots, my knees were still better than they had been before the first shots. The shots are momentarily painful, but NOTHING compared to constant low aches that were cured. I would recommend it to everyone. Go before the knee deterioration is severe. This is not an alternative to knee replacement, it is what you do to prevent the need for knee replacement."

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "Extreme pain and inflammation on the site where the injection was done. It happened in my first and now my second set of injections. The swelling lasts for about a week. I will not be getting my 3rd set of Synvisc injections. Too painful."

• Gin...
• April 13, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "Had the Synvisc injections (3) a year and a half ago with success. Was able to move my knee joint freely and returned to exercising. In the last 2 weeks, pain, stiffness, and swelling have returned to the same knee. Was given a steroid shot after excess fluid was drained. Some help, but not like the Synvisc shots. The orthopedic doctor tells me they are no longer covered by my insurance!"

• Jas...
• September 8, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "Had meniscus tear surgery five years ago on my right knee. I was walking two to three miles five days a week. Beginning January 2017, I started having knee pain and cannot walk half a mile. My ortho surgeon suggested some knee exercises and physical therapy. Went through six weeks of physical therapy, but it did not help. Got a corticosteroid shot back in June 2017. Ninety percent pain-free for about two months and then back to the same knee pain I had before the corticosteroid shot. My ortho doctor suggested trying Synvisc gel injection treatment. Just got the Synvisc gel injection 24 hours ago. This injection was a little more painful compared to the corticosteroid shot, but I was able to walk to the parking lot, and my wife drove me back home. I am already feeling a lot better."

• Joh...
• January 23, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "The first Synvisc injection I had pain, but the second has been excruciating! I can’t walk without crutches (because that’s all I have for assistance). My knee is swollen and very painful to walk. Cannot get comfortable no matter what I do and cannot sleep! Taking ibuprofen and Tylenol, but no relief! Not doing another injection!"

• Fml...
• November 27, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "Horrible pain during injection after numbing to the point of being lightheaded and having to lay down. I have an extreme high pain tolerance. I have had multiple steroid injections with no pain. Pain medication injections that didn’t hurt. Have had no relief after 2. Would not recommend this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "I wish to God I had never consented to having this medicine injected in me. I am 49 years old and suffer with mild osteoarthritis in my right knee. My nurse practitioner (NP) strongly suggested this med. I read the pamphlet, which in hindsight was more of an advertisement for the drug instead of unbiased information. I wish I had done more research on this drug. I was to receive a series of 3 injections. Nothing much happened after the first injection, but after the second injection, my knee became swollen, stiff, and very painful. I couldn't bear weight on my right foot without extreme pain. I contacted my NP, who apparently thought I was exaggerating or simply had no experience with adverse reactions to this drug. Well, after begging to be seen, she finally realized it was serious. I ended up having my knee drained and given a cortisone injection. Unfortunately, that only relieved the pain slightly. The pain and swelling eventually returned. Please do your research."

• gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "I'm 60 years old, 6'5", 390 lbs, had a traumatic knee injury in my early 20s. After it healed, I pretty much went back to being athletic: martial arts, tennis, running. Had a steroid injection first, which probably did what it was supposed to do: take any swelling away. Then I started feeling cracking in my knee, which I never had, pain significantly increased. I followed up by having the 3 Synvisc injections, which increased my pain dramatically. Six weeks after the 3rd injection, I got an infection on the old scar on my knee. I normally heal very fast, but I had to take antibiotics for a couple of weeks, it took over six weeks to finally heal. Pain is worse than ever, I got no relief at all, probably because I'm heavy. Very frustrating, I guess everyone is different. I wish that I never tried this, but I guess if I didn't, I wouldn't have known. Now I can't even perform my job."

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 6, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I went through 2 rounds of 3 shots each. I had no relief from the 1st round. My doctor wanted me to try it again 6 months after the third shot of the 1st round. I don't know why to this day that I agreed to allow this. I have a high pain threshold, but damn!, these shots really, really do hurt. Unfortunately, I had my 3 small children with me for one of those visits (couldn't get a sitter). I don't know who it hurt more, me or my kids. They were all holding my hand trying to comfort me, but in reality, I was trying to comfort them. They were all crying because they could tell it was painful. After all that crying, I had to take them out for ice cream after that. Too bad the Synvisc never helped!!!"

• Not...
• February 13, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I've had shots in my knees before, but I just screamed and almost burst into tears, that gel shot hurt so damn bad, I peed on myself. I don't know if I can handle the other two."

• Hap...
• June 8, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "I dose injection yesterday. Severe pain last night and today. Nausea and chills."

• Anonymous
• June 7, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "The best thing I ever did was have Synvisc, a little sore the first week, then relief for months, great so far."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "It has made my knee pain much worse. I am so sorry I got the injection. He didn't use fluoro guidance. Horrible!"