| Author | Message |
jdruski Philadelphia, PA (06/14/06) Member Since: 04/25/01[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 12/1/06 10:35 am Post Date: 11/28/06 9:44 am
Hi,
I just came from the orthopedic surgeon and was told that both of my knees are shot. Because I am only 51 and still have a considerable amount of weight to lose the surgeon is going to try Synisc wihich is injected on three seperate visits. It is supposed to give relief for at least 6 months.
Has anyone tried this therapy? If so please liet me know what your outcome is.
Thanks.
Jeanne |
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jdruski Philadelphia, PA (06/14/06) Member Since: 04/25/01[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 12/1/06 11:02 am Toots,
Thanks for your good wishes. I have lost 120 lbs in 6 months and have another 170 to go. All I wanted to do was be mobile after the surgery, but it is the one thing that I haven't gotten. Walking is extemely painful. I hope these injections work, as I want to have a pannilectomy before I have my knees replaced.
Thanks, again.
Jeanne |
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ROSEPERRI cortlandt manor, NY Member Since: 03/14/06 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 12/1/06 11:40 am Hi at 43 I have had 4 knee surgeries starting at the age of 15. My knees are shot as well. I am trying to hold off with knee replacementsas long as I can. I have had synvist and it worked great for me. I am also maintained on a cortisone shot every 8-12 months. I am down 126lbs and that has been the best medicine. The bad thing for me is my knees feel so good that I over do it and get into trouble then. Goodluck
Rose |
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jdruski Philadelphia, PA (06/14/06) Member Since: 04/25/01[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 12/1/06 12:58 pm Hi Rose:
Interesting that you both therapies. I will ask my surgeon about it. But I am going to try the Syrvist first and then see where I am. I still have 170 lbs. to lose, but I noticed that my knees have hurt much worse after losing 120. Maybe being peri-menopausal has something to do with it.
Thanks again for you help.
I will post again after my first shot.
Jeanne |
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Juju B Bowdoin, ME Member Since: 09/12/05 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 12/1/06 1:09 pm I was at the orthopedic surgeon this morning due to my knees also. I too thought that loosing the weight would help with my knee pain; it hurts worst today then it did before the surgery. He thought that because I am more active now it is causing more stress and strain on my knees. We compromised and I will do physical therapy on my own for 6 weeks and then we will re-evaluate if something else needs to be done.
I hope these treatments work for you. Keep us posted. If worry were an effective weight-loss program, women would be invisible. Nancy Drew ![]() |
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Caryl Mauk Manor, TX Member Since: 02/16/05 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 12/1/06 1:44 pm Synvisc is an artificial version of the synovial fluid that should cushion your joint. I have not had this but have had many patients who have. People generally told me they found it helpful. How helpful depends on how beat up your knee joints are. Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles supporting your knees is helpful, too. That I do have personal experience with. Good luck! |
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Jeanne B. Warren, MI Member Since: 01/03/05 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 12/1/06 2:12 pm Funny you should mention this. I have an appointment next Friday with an Ortho to see about the injections. I already have two differing opinions. The surgeon I went to to see about replacing it, told me that "I could tell him when to replace". My internist wants me to wait a least a year to have the knee replacement. I think that I have lost enough weight to get it done. Plus I'm only 59 The replacement surgeon says that my knee degeneration is too bad for the Synvisic to work. But he did give me a cortisone injection that has really helped. My internist says that he'd give me the Synvisic anytime I want it, just give him a weeks notice to get it into the office. The surgeon I'm going to on Friday doesn't do joint replacements but is a pain management specialist.. He helped me at least be able to walk without a cane. But then I got upset a couple of weeks ago when the other knee started to hurt as bad as the one that had arthroscopic surgery done on it. I just want to know his opinion about the Synvisic injections. I have a friend who has had them and they worked for about 6 months for her. Jeanne |
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Kristin N. Petaluma, CA Member Since: 07/25/06 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 12/1/06 2:44 pm After working in health insurance for a long time, i've heard from tons of people who have had the Synvisc injections. It works remarkably well for some people, being the only thing that makes it so they can function. I've also heard that it's got some pretty nasty side effects for some people...it really depends on the person.
Just make sure your insurance covers, because the injections are REALLY pricey. |
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jdruski Philadelphia, PA (06/14/06) Member Since: 04/25/01[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 12/1/06 4:36 pm Thank you all for your help and experience. I got the call from the Ortho surgeon today that the stuff is in. I am going to set up my three shots. I am also going to ask the surgeon about a back up of cortisone. He told me that on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worse, my knees are an 8. I have another 100+ lbs to lose and don't have the time built up at my job to take off for another surgery so I am going to hope and mostly pray that these injections work.
Any other helpful suggestions, ideas or thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Thanks to one and all.
Jeanne |
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![]() Florence, AL Duodenal Switch (12/11/03) Member Since: 08/19/03[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 12/2/06 11:56 am There's another product like this named Suprax (I think) that's chemically the same thing, but it's given in a series of FIVE injections. Just before my WLS, I had this done for the first time 'cause I was basically in a wheelchair my knees were so bad. It got me back on my feet, and when I recovered from surgery I was MUHC more mobile than I'd been for a LONG time. Since then I've had it re-done twice, and I have no intention of having the knee replacement surgery as long as this continues to work. For some reason, the idea of knee surgery scares the crap outta me. Never turned a hair over having my guts rearranged, but cutting BONE---Yikes!!! |
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carolann01 Member Since: 03/06/09 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 3/6/09 1:49 pm I got those shots in both knees and it a) didn't hurt at all (just felt very weird while she did it) and it made me really stiff for about one or two days all three times but has worked WONDERFULLY and I have been pain free for months now. I am walking distances that I have not walked in so long I can't even remember when. Advice: do it, but don't look at the needle, it is very large and scary. You will love the result. |
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