According to OrthoInfo, knee osteoarthritis stands as a predominant contributor to disability in the United States. This progressive joint disease inflicts pain and discomfort, influencing individuals’ daily experiences. Among a spectrum of remedies, viscosupplementation, or hyaluronic acid injections into the knee, has emerged as an increasingly favored approach.
Hyaluronic acid injections offer a solution for knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients, providing symptomatic relief from pain, swelling, and stiffness. While no definite cure has emerged for knee OA patients, these minimally invasive treatments, such as Synvisc and Durolane, can yield significant pain-free results for those seeking non-surgical interventions.
In this article, we will explore Synvisc vs Durolane regarding these therapies’ efficacy, mechanisms of action, and safety.
Key Takeaways
- Synvisc and Durolane injections have shown effectiveness in providing pain relief and enhanced joint function and mobility.
- While they both capitalize on the potency of HA, Durolane’s NASHA technology allows HA to work efficiently and longer into the joint area than Synvisc’s HA derived from rooster combs.
- While viscosupplementation treatments like Synvisc and Durolane aim to provide symptomatic relief, patients can expect temporary side effects after their injections.
- Understanding patient preferences and considering various patient factors are essential when selecting between Synvisc and Durolane injections for knee osteoarthritis.
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Efficacy Comparison
Viscosupplementation offers a non-surgical approach to knee osteoarthritis (OA). It aims to alleviate pain and improve joint functionality in knee OA patients. Synvisc and Durolane are popular hyaluronic acid (HA) injections for treating knee OA symptoms. Clinical studies have shown that medical professionals can depend on the efficacy of these injections.
According to a clinical trial by Wobig et al., Synvisc-treated patients had an average weight-bearing pain reduction of 48.8% from baseline at six months, compared to saline-treated patients with 25%. Patients reported no local adverse reactions after their Synvisc knee injections as well.
Meanwhile, according to Migliore et al. (2010), Synvisc has been established as a safe and effective treatment for reducing pain and enhancing function in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA). The evolving research highlights Synvisc’s potential in addressing OA-related symptoms in various joints, prompting further investigation and clinical exploration.
According to Carney et al. (2021), the pain relief achieved through Durolane injections persisted for an average of 466.8 days following the initial treatment. Patients who underwent subsequent 3rd, 4th, and 5th injections also enjoyed an extended benefit duration.
Furthermore, individuals with grades 2 or 3 osteoarthritis are more likely to experience prolonged relief. These findings underscore the potential of hyaluronic acid therapy in providing lasting relief for OA-related symptoms, particularly in patients with moderate to severe joint degeneration.
Both products have shown effectiveness in providing pain relief and enhanced joint function and mobility. Patients can consult their healthcare provider to know which intra-articular injection suits their needs, goals, time, and budget. It’s worth noting that Durolane offers single-injection therapy, while Synvisc utilizes a three-injection treatment given at weekly intervals.
Duration of Action
Hyaluronic acid injections can provide long-lasting relief for knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. While most of these therapies offer similar duration of action, medical professionals can consider various factors for each patient. Moreover, a patient-centric approach can help professionals align the product’s benefits to the patient’s needs, goals, knee OA condition, and overall health.
The original Synvisc treatment requires a series of three injections, typically with an interval of one week. Completing this cycle shows that the duration of effects can reach up to six (6) months. Meanwhile, with the Synvisc One dosage, clinical studies ensure that this single injection therapy offers a similar long-lasting effect to Synvisc’s.
Durolane’s cost-effectiveness and unique formulation are due to its single-injection treatment. According to Durolane, treated patients can expect sustained symptomatic relief for up to 26 weeks or more than six months. Its unique non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) formulation contributes to its prolonged duration.
It’s worth noting that the difference between these injection therapies lies in their outcome duration. While they both capitalize on the potency of HA, Durolane’s NASHA technology allows HA to work efficiently and longer into the joint area than Synvisc’s HA derived from rooster combs.
Safety Profiles
While viscosupplementation treatments like Synvisc and Durolane aim to provide symptomatic relief, patients can expect temporary side effects after their injections. These injection therapies may be generally safe for most individuals, but it’s essential to understand their safety profiles, from common side effects and warnings before use.
The Synvisc prescribing information stated that patients can experience these common side effects after medical professionals inject Synvisc into the affected knee. These Synvisc side effects may range from mild to moderate and generally do not last long. However, if these symptoms persist, patients should contact their doctors.
- Pain
- Swelling
- Heat
- Redness
- Fluid build-up around the knee
Durolane-treated patients can also expect typically harmless side effects after their procedure. These usually subside over time once the body fully adapts to the medicine. When these symptoms worsen or prolong, immediately seek medical attention.
- Pain
- Joint Pain
- Joint Swelling
- Joint Stiffness at the Injection Site
Both injection therapies have shown well-tolerated and documented safety profiles. Medical professionals should consider patient factors in determining the most suitable treatment for each individual. Moreover, Synvisc and Durolane have warnings to adhere to ensure a safe procedure.
- Synvisc: Do not inject into patients with allergies to hyaluronate products, avian proteins, feathers, or egg products; who have evidence of lymphatic or venous stasis in the leg to be treated; or who have severe inflammation in the knee to be treated.
- Durolane: Do not use it on patients with allergies to hyaluronate properties; or infections or skin disease at the injection site.
Furthermore, Synvisc and Durolane manufacturers have yet to test the safety and efficacy of their respective injections for pregnant women, lactating women, and children. Medical professionals must not administer these injections to these populations to avoid complications.
Patient Preferences and Considerations
Understanding patient preferences and considering various patient factors are essential when selecting between Synvisc and Durolane injections for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Medical professionals must focus on these preferences to create a tailored treatment plan for each patient to ensure high patient satisfaction.
- Single vs Multiple Injections: Healthcare providers can ask their patients about their preferred number of injections. Some patients may opt for the gradual approach of Synvisc’s three-injection approach, while others may prefer Durolane’s single-injection treatment for more convenience.
- Clinical Efficacy: Despite the difference in the number of injections, Synvisc and Durolane offer significant effectiveness in relieving knee OA symptoms among patients. Based on various clinical trials, these injections can also provide long-lasting relief after their injection cycle.
- Cost Considerations: Given that Synvisc requires a series of injections, Durolane may be a cost-effective solution for individuals seeking one. However, they can discuss their insurance coverage and affordability of Synvisc and Durolane with their provider for more comprehensive information.
- Effect Duration: Patients prioritizing longer-lasting effects may prefer Durolane injection, which can last up to 26 weeks. Meanwhile, Synvisc offers up to six months after a cycle. Nonetheless, both injections are safe to use for repeat treatments.
- Safety: Synvisc and Durolane are generally well-tolerated by most individuals. Patients can also expect temporary side effects after their treatments. It’s still best to discuss these potential risks with their healthcare providers to understand them further.
Conclusion
Synvisc and Durolane injections have shown efficacy in delivering and managing symptomatic relief to knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. While the individual response may vary, these injections have shown a long-lasting effect, with Durolane’s single injection sustaining longer outcomes for over six months than Synvisc’s six months.
Both treatments can cause temporary side effects, but providers can help manage these symptoms. Medical professionals should consider patient preferences, knee OA condition, and health status in creating a treatment plan that fits the patient’s needs and goals. Consultation with a healthcare provider can significantly help patients determine their treatment choice.
FAQs
1. Are Synvisc and Durolane effective in treating knee osteoarthritis?
Synvisc and Durolane have been shown to relieve pain and enhance joint function and mobility in knee osteoarthritis patients. Clinical studies have shown that medical professionals can depend on the efficacy of these injections.
2. How long do the effects of Synvisc and Durolane last?
Synvisc’s effects can last up to six months, requiring three injections at weekly intervals. Meanwhile, Durolane’s unique NASHA formulation contributes to its prolonged duration, offering sustained symptomatic relief for up to 26 weeks or more than six months.
3. Are Synvisc and Durolane safe for individuals?
While Synvisc and Durolane are generally safe for most individuals, temporary side effects such as pain, swelling, heat, redness, and fluid build-up around the knee may occur after the injections. It is essential to understand their safety profiles and contraindications. Patients should contact their doctors if these symptoms persist.
References
- Viscosupplementation Treatment for Knee Arthritis – OrthoInfo – AAOS. (2015). Aaos.org. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/viscosupplementation-treatment-for-knee-arthritis/
- Osteoarthritis Clinical Trials & Studies | Synvisc‐One® (Hylan G‐F 20) | For HCPs. (n.d.). Www.synvisconehcp.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024, from https://www.synvisconehcp.com/synvisc-studies
- Carney, G., Harrison, A., & Fitzpatrick, J. (2021). Long-Term Outcome Measures of Repeated Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid (Durolane) Injections in Osteoarthritis: A 6-Year Cohort Study with 623 Consecutive Patients. Open access rheumatology: research and reviews, 13, 285–292. https://doi.org/10.2147/OARRR.S331562
