Knee Pain/Torn Meniscus/Synvisc(hyaluronic acid) Injections

Katiejane

Ladies,   First off, a Happy and Healthy New Year to all!!!!  I haven't posted in quite a while but I do keep up on most of the discussions.  I had a torn meniscus back in 2010 and had a scope to trim up the meniscus and torn cartilage in my R knee. It has started to bother me once again-to the point I can't straighten my knee and I am limping all of the time. I really don't want to have another surgery especially since the surgeon who did my scope told me that I would be needing a knee replacement within 5 years!

There is an injection that is not a steroid called Synvisc(hyaluronic acid) that they can give into your knee that can re-lubricate the joint and I was wondering if anyone here has used this approach??  I'm very concerned how it might react with my lymphedema-the steroid injections really caused a pretty bad flare up and I don't want to do that again.

I would appreciate any feedback!    Thanks!    Katiejane

Joanne_53

hi Katie, I had a synvisc injection in August and hoping to have another in March.  My orthopaedic surgeon said some people get up to one year from the shots.  I don't know how much it has helped but going to give it one more time.  My knee hurts again and I am willing to try.  I do not have Lymphadema so cannot comment on that ..your MO could answer ...good luck with your decision.

Katiejane

Thanks Joanne!  I have a friend who had the injections and never had any recurrence of pain but my mother had the injections and it never helped her for more than 2 weeks post injection!  Seems to be a bit unpredictable!  My biggest concern is how it might affect my LE. I do thank you for posting your experience!    Katiejane

magnolia57

hi Katiejane, I had the injections about a year after surgery for a torn meniscus, synovitis , osteoarthritis . I did a series of 3 shots and it didn't help at all. My knee felt full and stuffy...it got absorbed in about 3 weeks, no help for pain. I don't recommend it. I did just have a cortisone shot and had what I think is lymph edema  in my breast. Is there a connection? I also am wondering if the cortisone is connected to my difficulty in losing weight, bloating, water retention.. I am also on aramidex, 6 months now. Any suggestions, thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Katiejane

Magnolia,  Thanks for your input!  I'm sorry the injections didn't help.  My mom had the same experience-it worked for about 2-3 weeks but that was it.  I have had cortisone injections twice and they did help the pain but caused my lymphedema to flair. I have also experienced the same reaction if I take ibuprofen frequently.  Cortisone, which is one of many steroids, can cause fluid retention, bloating, etc.. These side effects will subside gradually when treatment is stopped by a doctor. 

I'm not sure what I will do next but I don't think it will be Synvisc. I believe they will only let a person have 3 cortisone injections total so I'm only good for 1 more! 

I did Arimidex for the 5 years suggested but didn't notice any fluid retention-what I did notice was weight gain in my tummy and generally all over due to lack of hormones-middle age spread??  One of the many side effects of Arimidex.  I hope this has helped.

Katiejane