Thursday, January 29, 2009

Synvisc Therapy For Arthritis

By Amy Clark

Synvisc injection into a region of the body (often the knee) affected by osteoarthritis (a.k.a. OA) is termed Synvisc therapy. Synvisc is essentially a vicious, elastic substance that is infused via injection into the affected part to protect and lubricate the joints. Synvisc injection is given only to individuals who have already tried more conservative treatment (such as physical therapy, painkillers, etc..

Synvisc

Synvisc is not deemed a medicinal drug, but rather a device. It is derived from hyaluronan, a natural substance found in all living tissues of the human body. It exists in particularly high levels in the fluid that fills the knee joints as well as the joint tissue in general.

Hyaluronan, which works as a potent lubricant & shock absorber, is necessary for knee mobility. Synvisc therapy is effective in treating arthritis as arthritic patients have reduced hyaluronan in the body.

Synvisc Knee Injections

Presently, the only synvisc therapy available is synvisc knee injections. The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) only permits injecting Synvisc in the knee and specifically for osteoarthritis (a.k.a. OA) cases. The FDA maintains that this is because the safety and efficacy of Synvisc for other locations and for condition other than osteoarthritis have not been established. So, to emphasize, this type of treatment is offered only for knee arthritis cases, 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 injections before using it clinically on humans. Research results show that synvisc is non-inflammatory, non-antigenic, and non-toxic. To date, synvisc has been administered on millions of patients afflicted with arthritis.

Generally speaking, synvisc therapy doesn't have any side effects. On the other hand, because synvisc is injected directly into the joint, there are isolated cases where patients experienced some swelling, discomfort, or pain in or around the knee. But note that this is very rare and the risks involved are only minimal.

Exercising or doing anything strenuous is prohibited within the first forty eight hours following the injection. Playing tennis, heavy lifting, running, or doing any exercise that might stress the knee is strictly not advised.

Synvisc Benefits

Note that synvisc therapy is not a cure for arthritis. Actually, to this day, there is no known cure for this condition. However, synvisc therapy is successful in relieving joint pain, and its positive effects can last for no less than six months. Furthermore, Moreover, synvisc will work alongside other medicinal drugs or other types of treatment, and you won't need a prescription to use 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.

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