title: Viscosupplementation with hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc): pain and mobility observations from 74 consecutive patients.
abstract: Seventy-four patients (120 knees, 360 injections) referred to an orthopedic surgery clinic by their primary care physician for osteoarthritis knee pain received 3 weekly intra-articular injections of hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc; Genzyme Biosurgery, Ridgefield, NJ). Osteoarthritic knee pain, the ability to perform activities, and the amount of pain medication, physiotherapy, and assistive device use were prospectively evaluated 1 month and 1 year after treatment. The majority of patients reported improved or much improved pain at 1 month (99%) and 1 year (91%) after hylan G-F 20 therapy. Patient activity was similarly improved in the majority of patients at 1 month (99%) and 1 year (69%) following physiotherapy. Of the 120 knees treated with hylan G-F 20, pain relief >6 months was reported for 62% of knees. Use of analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular steroids, physiotherapy, and assistive devices was reduced with hylan G-F 20 for 75%-100% of patients at 1 month, and was sustained at 1 year in the majority of patients (78%-94%) for the use of analgesics, steroids, and physiotherapy. Three (4%) patients experienced erythema and irritation at the injection site that resolved within 48 hours and did not interfere with the remaining injections. Hylan G-F 20 effectively and safely relieves osteoarthritis knee pain, facilitates an improved activity level, and decreases the need for pain medication, physiotherapy, and assistive devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Illinois, Chicago 60612, USA.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Samuel J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chmell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: C049816:hylan; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid