Or any other type? I just keep debating on this. I only know of one person that had them, and they told me they didn't help. I would like more of a concensus before I go ahead. Thanks for any input, and also, how painful were the shots?

No, but DH had something like this a few months ago. The osteo guy told him it would work for a week or so but it worked for a much longer period of time. He got a lot of relief from the pain. I'm sorry I don't know exactly what it was. I know DH is going back for a different kind of injection soon because the first one has long since worn off. It's probably the same thing you're asking about. I'll ask him and post again if I find out any different information.

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Cecilia

"We must love them both--those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject. For both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in the finding of it."
Saint Thomas Aquinas

Synvisc injections or Hyalagan injections are typically a series of 3 injections given a week apart. What your DH has sounds more like a steroid injection w/ probably one of "caine" medications (Marcaine is pretty typical).

Synvisc injections typically cost $500-$750 for each injection. I have had many of my work comp claimants undergo these injections and have not seen much success with them.

A lot depends on what your diagnosis is, how advanced the degenerative process is and your overall health.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

My husband had this done but it was 5 shots. His feels a lot better. He did not think that they hurt. It does depend on what is wrong with your knee.

I had the hyalgan injections. It was a series of 5 shots, 1 each week. The shots are supposed to last for 6months to a year. They helped me a great deal, and seemed to work for at least a year for me.
A few of the shots seemed painful, a few didn't. I think it depended on who gave them to me, and exactly where they went into my knee. Supposedly, they work better for younger people (40's) rather than older people (60's) If it's covered by your insurance, it's worth a try.

My husband had them last summer. They were a series of three shots, one every week. He said he really couldn't see any difference in his pain. They are VERY expensive. Hope you have good insurance. Our insurance company made him go to physical therapy first (which was a TOTAL waste of time and money), before they would cover their costs of the shots.

Thanks for the answers. I know I have arthritis, I don't know exactly whether I have any joint disease, but was told a few years back, I should have knee replacements, but that I was too young. Around 50 then. I am almost 57 now, and have been taking ultram for years. Doesn't help at all anymore. My insurance has changed, and primary care had told me two years ago, that I should either go back to ortho or rhuem. dr. Due to husbands health problems, I put mine off, as I knew it would run into a lot of money and we could barely pay his. Now we are caught up. I also have ruptured disks in lower back which I had therapy and a series of shots, all of which was a waste of money. I just sort of learned to live with that, but the knees are another thing. That was why I was wondering whether it helped the majority of others. I also wonder whether they put the shots in the catagory of the copay for Medicine or Office. Guess I will have to visit a doc again to see what they say. I know they will order x-rays again. I thought maybe I could get away with using some of the older ones, but they want to know what is there now!

Thanks again!

Your situation sounds a lot like mine. I have been told that I need a knee replacement, but that I am too young.
I had the Synvisc injections. Once a week for three weeks. It's my understanding that it is a gel-like substance that cushions your knee so the bones won't rub together. The first two shots didn't hurt, but the last one hurt for a minute. That being said, it only helped for a very short while...less than two weeks. It was very expensive but my insurance paid. After that didn't work, my doctor tried an "Unloader Brace" which cost my insurance about $950. A total waste of money. I see these things listed on ebay for $9.00.

Anyway, good luck with your knees. Please post if you find anything that works. I am taking Flexeril (a muscle relaxant) in addition to some very mild pain meds. The Flexeril seems to help boost the pain meds so that I feel a bit better.

I had them a couple of years ago and they didn't work. I have OA and my knees were shot. I went through PT, up loader brace, synvisc shots, cortisone injections and every anti-inflammatory known to man. I was 45 when I started all of this and had my first knee replaced at the age of 47. I had the 2nd one done in June. It was the best thing I ever did. I felt better in the recovery room. While my knees hurt because of the surgery, I no longer hurt from the OA.

I am now looking at having my shoulder replaced soon because of OA. I hate to think of being bionic at such a young age, but to be pain free is a wonderful feeling.

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