As you may know I had the majority of my meniscus removed 4 years ago, about 9 months ago I tore what was left.

Cortisone did not work and the doctor is reluctant to remove the meniscus and would prefer that I put off total knee replacement for a couple of decades.

I received my first shot of Synvisc two days ago.

How long can I expect to have to wait for the pain to subside?

How long does the 3 course treatment last (in other words how long before I have to do it again?)

Has anyone else here had this used on them? If so, did it work?

Cheers

David

David, this Synvisc is very similar to the Hyalgen that I had and if one doesn't help, they try another. It really depends on the patient with these shots. Whatever helps one might not help another, so it's really hard to say how long you'll have to wait for the pain to subside. After searching, I did find that the patient feels the greatest pain relief 8 to 12 weeks after beginning the treatment, and it may not work for everyone. This site might help you understand a little more.
here

Yeah I read that site, however they kept talking about osteoarthritis, mine is an issue with the meniscus. Those in the same place (the knee) these are two different problems which may react differently to these treatment.

Even my Doctor said that she wouldn't normally suggest this kind of treatment for a medial meniscus tear, but given the other factors she wants to try alternatives to surgery.

I thought maybe someone knew more about these therapy for a meniscus issue.

Cheers

David

David

I tried to do some research on Synvisc but everyone responds differently. Some people experience an allergic reaction to the shots; some it works well. Honi did post an informative site. (Removal of the meniscus generally is linked to arthritic symptoms) I don't think pain relievers are based on the reason for the pain. Pain relievers target pain in an area. Synvisc is used for arthritis as well as meniscus therapy.

I did find a site (which you probably have seen already) MENISCUS There are many sites about synvisc therapy and meniscus. (personal experiences). I can direct you here but you will have to choose the sites yourself. I am very reluctant to give this sort of medical advice. Remember, everyone is different and reacts differently to medication. It is almost impossible to predict how a treatment will affect you. Only your doctor knows you and your situation. Most of the sites I have gone to suggest that replacement of the meniscus is inevitable.

Have you heard anything new from your doctor?

Yeah, Well I will be going through the therapy shots every six months until I am at the right age for a knee replacement thats 22 years down the road.



Sure, relieved a lot of the constant pain, I still get pain about 4 hours into the work day, still lots of swelling. My mobility is permanently hampered, no more running, jogging, walking for miles nonstop, no more football, base ball, and other various sports which include jumping, twisting or doing anything that may "do more damage"

Doc didn't tell me much more about Synvisc - its an experiment to see how long they can keep me operational before trying something else.

Transplant?

Gee I asked the doctor if there was anyway to give me a new meniscus and she said "no".

Well thats kind of interesting:

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/meniscusinjuries1/a/transplant.htm

The two types of Meniscus replacement are from a donor or a prosthetic meniscus. I found a few sites that can give you some more information on the surgery.

Meniscal Transplants

artificial implants

Meniscal Replacement for the Arthritic Knee

(I know that is arthritic but it is the same concept)

I see a lot of conflicting sites. While one site describes the surgery, another site says it isn't possible.

This is an informative site which gives an overview of the meniscus, repair and transplant. It could be that surgery is so new that your doctor doesn't do it. The replacement therapy is still in the beginning stages. It does seem as if people have gotten the surgery with excellent results.

If I wait long enough I will get a whole new body Borg tech is right around the corner, right?

My knee jerk response is that it is a $$$ issue, not a technological or medical issue.

Recently I was watching tennis on TV (No not at home) and the guy playing had just had his second knee replacement on the same knee.

WHAT?!?! But I was told that they don't do that on people younger than 60. Obviously this tennis player was in good shape for a 60 year old man.

It makes me to think that my medical insurer may be the reason why I am limping around and in pain because they don't want to pay out (But we certainly do pay enough in to them by golly). I think, heck, I know that this is the reason why my Bone Doc keeps telling me to put it off. $$$

David,
I have had a conversation with my orthopedic surgeon in the past about various things they do to aleviate pain in the knee from meniscus removal (if you recall from a different post you had on the subject, I have had the meniscus removed in both of my knees). I've had pretty good luck and minimal problems (pain here and there, but tolerable).

The Synvisc Therapy is really good for lubricating and trying to alleviate some of the stiffness and to allow it to move more freely...the problem in your case is that you have no meniscus which means you are doing without the "shock-absorber", so no matter how smooth and lubed they make it...it's still gonna bang around and hurt like heck!!!

Can you go somewhere else to discuss the options of partial knee replacement? They are doing that these days. The Stone Clinic in San Francisco that Clare had a link to is one of them...some insurance companies DO cover the artificial meniscus.

The fact that they don't do knee replacements unless you're over 60 is a crock...I know people who have had it done...including my Dad!!!!! Like with anything - shop around!

No I do have a meniscus left, a paper thin one which the doctor confessed had it been up to her she would have taken what was left.


Yeah I figure that they do do them, I just think that my insurance company is a big steamy pile of............

Well there I go getting a bit cranky about it all.

Actually just today I got a letter from my insurer asking why I haven't sent back my application I applied and got the coverage in January of this year.

(sigh)

I'll look for that link, SF is not that far (103 miles) away.

Cheers

David