Hylan DF 20 (Synvisc) for knee?

abc_123 · 08-08-2010, 07:23

Anyone have any experience with Hylan DF 20 (Synvisc) treatment for knee issues? I had arthro surgery on my knee that fixed my cartiledge issues but didn't do the trick on another issue that I have going on with the medial head of the femur.

My surgeon at the last appointment mentioned alternately, other surgical procedures like cutting off some bone and grafting cadaver bone on, a total knee replacement (at some point), living wth hobbling around and the pain (gettting a permanent profile) ... but the next thing that he is going to try is a 3 injection (1x weekly) series with Synvisc.

Just wondering if anyone who knows has an opinion on this stuff. Reviews on the internet seemed mixed. Also sounds like I might need to bring a nice piece of leather to bite on during the treatment.... Not that I have much choice, mind you, because the two surgical options that the doc presented didn't sound good to me.

Just wondering if anyone who knows has a strong opinion one way or another.

thanks.

Tatonka316 · 08-08-2010, 08:34

Hi abc!

I have had a lot of experience with Synvisc - both personal and professional. Good news/bad news - good news is that it doesn't hurt anything, and in my experience, has about a 75-80% success rate. Bad news is that it is not going to fix what is wrong, it just puts the fire out for a while. And there is about 20 - 25% of people that it has no effect. I was one of those. So, in 2000 after 29 knee surgeries, I had bilateral total knee replacements, and the pain went away!!!

Synvisc injections are not painful, at least not compared to the pain you are walking around with all the time. I would highly recommend the procedure, and then see what happens.

Please feel free to PM me at any time if you have any more questions.

molon labe

abc_123 · 08-08-2010, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatonka316

Hi abc!

I have had a lot of experience with Synvisc - both personal and professional. Good news/bad news - good news is that it doesn't hurt anything, and in my experience, has about a 75-80% success rate. Bad news is that it is not going to fix what is wrong, it just puts the fire out for a while. And there is about 20 - 25% of people that it has no effect. I was one of those. So, in 2000 after 29 knee surgeries, I had bilateral total knee replacements, and the pain went away!!!

Synvisc injections are not painful, at least not compared to the pain you are walking around with all the time. I would highly recommend the procedure, and then see what happens.

Please feel free to PM me at any time if you have any more questions.

molon labe

Ok... a potential temporary fix on the way to repeat of that temporary fix (with less success and more potential complications) on the way to an eventual knee replacement .

Appreciate the personal experience. I guess I have nothing to lose. Might as well give it a whirl.

Thanks!

rdret1 · 08-08-2010, 09:01

I also want to thank you for the info. My doc is contemplating the same after some steroid shots first. It seems I no longer have any cartilage behind my knee caps. For the successful applications, what has been the usual interval between injections ?

abc_123 · 08-08-2010, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdret1

I also want to thank you for the info. My doc is contemplating the same after some steroid shots first. It seems I no longer have any cartilage behind my knee caps. For the successful applications, what has been the usual interval between injections ?

Mine for some reason didn't suggest cortisone shots...just went right to the synvisc. Not sure why... but that's why he's a doc and i'm just a former action guy.

Until someone with some knowledge comes back...my doc has me set to go or 1 injection a week for three weeks. I found some info on this stuff at a site called rxinfo dot com. I typed in HYLAN DF 20 and it took me to a bunch of info and "user reviews". Some were single treatments, others were the same 3 injection protocol.

but hey, I'm just a live training aid when it comes to this stuff.

Tatonka316 · 08-08-2010, 16:04

Hi rdret1 and abc 123!

Cortisone is more of a short term fix, like for dancing at your daughter's wedding short term fix, but normally wears off much sooner. Synvisc is usually 3 injections, with each injection a week apart. There are some protocols for Hylan (?sp) that are once a week for 5 weeks, but most success has been seen with the 3 week protocol.

Normally, one of the criteria for success is at least some cartilage in the knee, but more and more orthopaedic surgeons are trying it as a "last resort" before knee replacement. If Synvisc works for you, many surgeons will do 3 - 5 series (normally 4 - 6 months between each series), but I have had some patients be "painfree" for up to a year, so it varies with everyone.

I would do it, and then see if you get some relief. Let me know if I can be of any further help - anything, anyplace, anytime!!!

molon labe

greenberetTFS · 08-08-2010, 16:04

I had Synvisc,it didn't work for me,neither did cortisone..............They can only give you shots in 3 month intervals and the shots never lasted more than 2-3 weeks at best.........Use your search capabilities there is a lot more info regarding this..............

Big Teddy

abc_123 · 08-08-2010, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenberetTFS

I had Synvisc,it didn't work for me,neither did cortisone..............They can only give you shots in 3 month intervals and the shots never lasted more than 2-3 weeks at best.........Use your search capabilities there is a lot more info regarding this..............

Big Teddy

Thanks Big Teddy.

The way I figure it...I have nothing to lose. I'm 42 yrs old. Maybe with time, therapy and the right type of exercise (bike, elliptical) I can improve my quality of life to something better than it is now. Need to string this along as long as I can before I contemplate a joint replacement. From my wife's hip replacemnt, I know that a new joint gives a better quality of life and less pain.. but the downside is that they wear out eventually.

Tatonka316 · 08-08-2010, 18:06

abc!

I will send you a PM either later tonight or tomorrow.

molon labe

rdret1 · 08-09-2010, 05:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatonka316

Hi rdret1 and abc 123!

Cortisone is more of a short term fix, like for dancing at your daughter's wedding short term fix, but normally wears off much sooner. Synvisc is usually 3 injections, with each injection a week apart. There are some protocols for Hylan (?sp) that are once a week for 5 weeks, but most success has been seen with the 3 week protocol.

Normally, one of the criteria for success is at least some cartilage in the knee, but more and more orthopaedic surgeons are trying it as a "last resort" before knee replacement. If Synvisc works for you, many surgeons will do 3 - 5 series (normally 4 - 6 months between each series), but I have had some patients be "painfree" for up to a year, so it varies with everyone.

I would do it, and then see if you get some relief. Let me know if I can be of any further help - anything, anyplace, anytime!!!

molon labe

Thanks Tatonka, that gives me a general idea of what I need to do.

doctom54 · 08-09-2010, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatonka316

Hi rdret1 and abc 123!

Cortisone is more of a short term fix, like for dancing at your daughter's wedding short term fix, but normally wears off much sooner. Synvisc is usually 3 injections, with each injection a week apart. There are some protocols for Hylan (?sp) that are once a week for 5 weeks, but most success has been seen with the 3 week protocol.

Normally, one of the criteria for success is at least some cartilage in the knee, but more and more orthopaedic surgeons are trying it as a "last resort" before knee replacement. If Synvisc works for you, many surgeons will do 3 - 5 series (normally 4 - 6 months between each series), but I have had some patients be "painfree" for up to a year, so it varies with everyone.

I would do it, and then see if you get some relief. Let me know if I can be of any further help - anything, anyplace, anytime!!!

molon labe

Tatonka your experience with Synvisc mirrors my own. I have been using it for about 10 years now. Also, I concur on the appropriate use of steriods in the knees (the shoulder is a completely different subject).
The most I've ever done is 3 series of Synvisc (I'm family practice) usually it is time to see the orthopedic surgeon by then, but at 42 yo most won't consider knee replacements (there are exceptions).
My knees hurt and makes lots of noise unless I ride my bike pretty consistently. I use to use lots of ibufrofen but have been able to cut way back. The key to a bike is to have the seat at the correct height (not too low) and use gears where you feels like you are spinning and not getting a lot of resistance.
As Tatonka says feel free to PM.
I hope it goes well.

abc_123 · 08-09-2010, 08:17

Thanks all for the replies and thanks Tatonka for the PM.

I had a rowing erg and was using that to try and still get some cardio and avoid running.... but I stopped because the extreme flexion at the "catch" position was painful and couldn't possibly be helping...so I've been laying low and licking my wounds.

I'm going to start doing the bike thing... limited resistance with seat not too low. Hopfully that will help things out.

PedOncoDoc · 08-09-2010, 08:21

If you're going to road bike (in lieu of stationary bike) I highly recommend going to a bike shop and having them properly fit your seat for you - it can make a world of difference, just like being properly fit for running shoes.

Tatonka316 · 08-09-2010, 08:52

... and to follow up on what PedOncoDoc suggested, a bike shop can also provide you with a bike stand for a road/mountain bike so you can ride it indoors as well. For the last 5 years before I had my knees replaced the ONLY cardio I could do was stationary cycling.

molon labe

abc_123 · 08-09-2010, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatonka316

... and to follow up on what PedOncoDoc suggested, a bike shop can also provide you with a bike stand for a road/mountain bike so you can ride it indoors as well. For the last 5 years before I had my knees replaced the ONLY cardio I could do was stationary cycling.

molon labe

No road biking for me... Not my idea of sanity to ride on roads with small shoulders with cars wizzing by from behind me, all the while hoping that I don't screw up and swerve and/or hoping that they don't spend too long hunting for the "Q" key when texting their friends and pick me off with a mirror...

Will be on a stationary bike when doing PT at work and want to get one for my basement as well...