DEAR DR. GOTT: You receive a lot of requests about knee-pain treatments versus surgery, but I have never seen you mention Synvisc-One. I’m 80 years old and have had two injections over the past two and a half years. They last a year or more and take effect a few weeks following the injection.
DEAR READER: This 2009 FDA-approved medication contains hylan polymers, produced from chicken comb. It is similar to the fluid that surrounds the joints of your body and acts as a lubricant. It is injected directly into the intra-articular space inside the knee and is prescribed for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain in patients who have failed to respond to more conservative therapy. A single dose is reported to reduce pain for up to 26 weeks.
The theory is not a new one. Hyaluronic acid derived from chicken comb was recognized 14 years ago as an alternative treatment for people who wanted to delay surgery.
Because Synvisc-One is relatively new, I don’t know its long-term effects. Therefore, I can only thank you for bringing it to my attention. It is certainly an option for readers to discuss with their orthopedic surgeons.