Our Blog

• Medical Community - July 28th 2020
• Synvisc

Synvisc and Supartz are two different brands of viscosupplementation treatments used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. Viscosupplementation is the administration of hyaluronic acid-based viscoelastic gel via injection to joints affected by osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) restores lubrication and prevents further joint degradation by replenishing and increasing the production of the native hyaluronic acid in the body. This stimulates the synovial fluid, which is responsible for lubrication, mobility, and shock absorption of the joints. Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the joints, particularly in the knee. This is caused by the gradual breakdown of the joint cartilage due to repetitive movements, stress, and wear and tear. The cartilage between the joints eventually wears out which may cause the bones to come in contact with each other. The subsequent rubbing against one another causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and inflamm [Read more]

• Medical Community Member - July 26th 2019
• Euflexxa
• Knee Treatments
• Orthopedics
• Supartz
• Synvisc

What Are They? Synvisc (Hylan G-F 20) is the brand name for the high-molecular-weight injectable fluid that contains both hylan A and hylan B polymers. The polymers in Synvisc, like most hyaluronic derivatives, are derived from rooster combs and are classified as avian-derived hyaluronic acid (AV-HA). Euflexxa, on the other hand is made from a very highly purified product extracted from bacterial cells. It is a polysaccharide consisting of a repeating disaccharide of N-Acetylglucosamine and sodium glucuronate that are linked by glycosidic bonds. What are the Differences? While Supartz, Synvisc, and other AV-HA brands are similar in their efficacy, Synvisc offers a one-dose treatment that prevents multiple trips to a doctor’s office. According to the National Institute of Health, AV-HA treatments all appear to relieve pain for between 4 and 14 weeks by restoring both mechanical and biomechanical homeostasis in the joint. A difference in price gives Euflexxa a bit of an edge. [Read more]

• Medical Community Member - June 14th 2019
• Knee Treatments
• Orthopedics
• Orthovisc
• Synvisc

Viscosupplements Viscosupplementation involves supplementing the diminished amount of hyaluronic acid in the diseased joint's degraded synovial fluid with a hyaluronic acid product that possesses the rheological properties of healthy synovial fluid. These medications are normally offered as second-line therapies, which are treatments that are used after the patient has not adequately responded to primary treatments such as pain medication and physical therapy. Viscosupplement preparations differ significantly in their molecular weight, concentration, rheological properties, manufacturing processes, and residence times in the joint. The effects that viscosupplements confer are delayed but long-lasting. While it can sometimes take weeks or even several months for the full results of viscosupplements like Orthovisc and Synvisc to materialize, these medications can provide up to six months of improvement, including reduced pain and a greater range of motion. As a pharmaceutical cl [Read more]

• Medical Community Member - October 5th 2018
• Knee Treatments
• Orthopedics
• Synvisc

Intraarticular injections of hyaluronic acid-based Monovisc, a product manufactured by Anika Therapeutics, and Synvisc, made by Genzyme, are used in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Patients considering such viscosupplements may need more information before deciding on the right product for them. Read on to learn more about the benefits of viscosupplementation and the characteristics of Monovisc and Synvisc.  Monovisc vs Synvisc for viscosupplementation Patients with knee osteoarthritis, a type of arthritis in which the knee suffers damage due to the wearing down of its protective cartilage, often find themselves suffering from pain or joint stiffness that limits their mobility and impedes their daily activities. Managing this condition by alleviating the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis is necessary to improve patients' quality of life. Currently, the methods of managing knee osteoarthritis include pain medications such as acetaminophen, physical therapy, and [Read more]