Knees for You Guide to Knee Replacement

Serving the Patient Community since 12/18/2006    Patricia Walter Owner/Webmaster

About Synvisc-One^® (hylan G-F 20)

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Feb 26, 2009 - Genzyme Corporation today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing approval for Synvisc-One (hylan G-F 20), a product intended for the relief of pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Synvisc-One is the only single-injection viscosupplement approved for the treatment of OA knee pain in the United States. This therapy has the potential to redefine the market for viscosupplementation products by extending the benefits of this therapeutic approach to a broader set of patients and reducing the total cost and burden of multiple injections

Synvisc-One is a way to treat your osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain right at the source. Made from a natural substance that lubricates and cushions your joint, it can provide up to six months of knee pain relief with just one injection.

How does Synvisc-One work?

In knees with osteoarthritis, the joint fluid (called synovial fluid) can break down and not provide the cushioning your knee needs. Synvisc-One supplements your knee fluid to relieve the pain and improve the knee joint’s natural shock absorbing abilities.

A. Cartilage wears away
B. Bone spurs may develop
C. Joint fluid breaks down

D. Synvisc-One

How is Synvisc-One given?

Synvisc-One is a single injection. It’s a simple, in-office procedure that only takes a few minutes. After the injection, you can resume normal day-to-day activities but you should avoid any strenuous activities for about 48 hours.

What can I expect from Synvisc-One treatment?

Synvisc-One can provide up to six months of osteoarthritis knee pain relief. Everyone responds differently, but in a medical study patients experienced relief starting one month after the injection. Synvisc-One can be repeated safely, so keep track of your symptoms and talk with your doctor if your knee pain begins to return.

What are the side effects?

The side effects most commonly seen in a medical study were knee pain, stiffness and swelling or fluid buildup in or around the knee. Other side effects, such as rash, may also occur. Side effects were generally mild to moderate and did not last long. Synvisc-One does not have the serious side effects associated with many pain pills. 

How is Synvisc-One different from SYNVISC?

Synvisc-One is the same formulation as SYNVISC. The only difference is that Synvisc-One is provided with one injection compared to three injections required for SYNVISC. Both treatments can provide up to six months of pain relief.