What To Expect
You've done your research. You've talked to your doctor and made an appointment to get SYNVISC® treatment. Soon you will be receiving your first SYNVISC injection and taking an important step toward relieving your osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. But you may be wondering what comes next. Read on to help you prepare for your treatment and take care of yourself afterwards.
Before Your Visit
Because SYNVISC is not a pill, it should not interfere with any other medicines you are taking. But be sure to ask your doctor for any specific instructions, and tell him or her about any medicines you are taking.
During the Procedure
To prepare your knee for your injection, your doctor may:
- Clean your knee with alcohol and iodine
- Apply a local anesthetic to your knee
- Withdraw excess fluid from your joint
The doctor will then inject your knee with SYNVISC. The whole procedure should only take a few minutes, and you'll be able to go home immediately after the treatment.
After Treatment
It's important to take it easy when you get home. Be sure to rest and ice your knee if your doctor recommends it. For the first 48 hours after injection:
- Avoid putting a lot of strain on your knee
- Avoid jogging, rapid walking, heavy lifting or standing for more than 1 hour
Possible Side Effects
The most common side effects are usually mild and do not last long. They include pain at the site of the injection, swelling, heat, redness and/or fluid build-up. Check with your doctor if you experience these effects or if they continue after treatment.
Less common side effects include rash, hives, itching and infection. If these occur, call your doctor as soon as possible. Download the Complete Product Safety Information (PDF, 146K).
When to Expect Pain Relief
Some patients may begin to feel better after the first injection, but you need to have all 3 injections to get the maximum benefit. Most patients feel the greatest relief 8 to 12 weeks after the 1st injection.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, call your doctor.
