Thursday, January 29, 2009

Synvisc Therapy For Arthritis

By Amy Clark

Injecting Synvisc into the region of the body (usually the knee) affected by osteoarthritis (OA) is named Synvisc therapy. Synvisc is essentially an elastic vicious chemical that is infused via injection into the afflicted body part to protect and lubricate the joints. This type of treatment is prescribed only to people who have already obtained more conservative treatment modes (such as painkillers, physical therapy, to name a few).

Synvisc

Synvisc is not considered a medicinal drug, and is essentially a device. It is made of hyaluronan, a natural substance found in the living tissues in the human body. It exists in particularly large doses in the fluid of knee joints and the general joint tissue.

Hyaluronan, which serves as a reliable lubricant and shock absorber, is crucial for healthy knee movement. Synvisc is a potent arthritis treatment since arthritis patients suffer from a decreased level of hyaluronan in the body.

Synvisc Knee Injections

Presently, the only type of Synvisc therapy available is synvisc knee injections. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only permits administering Synvisc in the knee and only for osteoarthritis (OA) cases. The FDA asserts that this is because the safety and efficacy of Synvisc for other areas of the body and for other conditions have yet to be proven. So, to reiterate, Synvisc therapy is applicable only for patients with knee arthritis, not for shoulder arthritis or any other arthritis case.

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

Several safety studies were done on Synvisc prior to using it on humans. Study results indicate that synvisc is noninflammatory, non-antigenic, and non-toxic. Today, it has been administered on millions of arthritis patients.

Generally speaking, synvisc therapy does not cause any side effects. On the other hand, as synvisc is directly administered into the patient's joint, there are isolated cases where patients complained of some pain, discomfort, or swelling in or around the knee. But note that this occurred very rarely and the risk of this happening is very little.

Exercising or doing anything strenuous is is not allowed in the first 48 hours after being injected with synvisc. Heavy lifting, running, playing tennis, or any action that can put pressure on the knee is definitely not allowed.

Benefits of Synvisc Injections

Note that synvisc therapy is not a cure for arthritis. In fact, to this day, there isn't any cure for this disease. That being said, synvisc is successful in alleviating joint pain, and its positive effects can last for no less than six months. Additionally, this therapy will work in combination with other drugs or other remedies, and you won't require a prescription to use it.

If you have undergone more traditional or conservative therapies for knee arthritis, and yet you continue to feel extreme discomfort and excruciating pain in your knee, then synvisc might be the perfect fit for you. Ponder your options, visit your physician, and read all information available synvisc treatment. - 15255

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