According to Malemud (2015), osteoarthritis (OA) triggers innate and adaptive immune responses, leading to inflammation. This inflammation is marked by increased proinflammatory substances contributing significantly to the disease’s progression. Significantly, viscosupplementation helps in managing these OA symptoms.
Knee osteoarthritis, a prevalent condition characterized by pain and inflammation, significantly impacts the quality of life for many individuals. Viscosupplements like Synvisc and cortisone injections have emerged as effective solutions. These treatments target the inflammation and pain associated with knee osteoarthritis, offering patients much-needed relief and improved mobility.
This article will compare Synvisc vs Cortisone injections, their mechanisms, duration of action, safety, efficacy, and factors influencing the treatment choice.
Key Takeaways
- Synvisc restores the viscoelasticity and supplements the HA in the synovial fluid, acting as a lubricant and shock absorber. Cortisone reduces inflammation by decreasing the inflammatory response in the affected joint.
- The Synvisc knee injections significantly improved knee OA pain from week 12 until week 26.
- Synvisc and Cortisone injections are generally safe but can cause temporary side effects ranging from mild to moderate.
- Patients can ensure a safe and effective treatment for their knee OA by careful evaluation by healthcare providers.
- Both treatments have proven their efficacy, but the decision can significantly depend on medical professionals’ expertise and patient considerations that can affect the treatment choice.
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Understanding Synvisc and Cortisone Injections
Synvisc and Cortisone offer two different types of injections used to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA). So, what is Synvisc? It is a viscosupplement that capitalizes on the potency of hyaluronic acid (HA) and mimics the natural HA found in the joint’s synovial fluid. Meanwhile, Cortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory steroid medication.
While these injections can manage (OA) symptoms, they have different mechanisms of action. Synvisc works by restoring the viscoelasticity and supplements the HA in the synovial fluid, acting as a lubricant and shock absorber. It also downregulates pro-inflammatory factors, reducing joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
Cortisone reduces inflammation by decreasing the inflammatory response in the affected joint. It suppresses various elements of the immune system, further reducing inflammation, attendant pain, and swelling in the knees.
It’s worth noting that Synvisc and Cortisone have indications for use to ensure a safe procedure for knee OA. Medical professionals may recommend Synvisc knee injections for patients with knee OA who have not responded adequately to first-line therapies.
Conversely, providers may prescribe Cortisone for various conditions, including knee OA, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and allergies.
Efficacy and Duration of Action
Synvisc and Cortisone injections are both effective knee osteoarthritis (OA) treatments. Synvisc conducted a clinical trial comparing the viscosupplement to corticosteroids. The Synvisc knee injections significantly improved knee OA pain from week 12 until week 26.
- Duration of Efficacy for Synvisc: This injection therapy can provide long-lasting knee OA pain relief for six (6) months or longer, depending on the severity of the condition. It consistently shown a long duration in various clinical efficacy trials, including a 44.8% pain reduction from baseline at 12 months.
- Duration of Efficacy for Cortisone Injections: Aside from the severity of the specific condition, the effectiveness of Cortisone injections depends on the type of corticosteroid injected. Generally, Cortisone-treated patients can expect many weeks of relief, reaching up to three months.
It’s worth noting that Synvisc requires three injections, given at a weekly interval. These injections typically land on days 1, 8, and 15, ensuring these three complete the cycle. Similar to Cortisone injections, each knee receives a single injection, which is identical to the number of shots required for Synvisc One dosage.
Side Effects and Safety Profiles
When comparing Synvisc and Cortisone injections, patients must know the difference in their potential risks and safety profiles. Medical professionals can help individuals understand these risks, allowing them to make informed healthcare decisions about their knee osteoarthritis (OA) procedure. Synvisc and Cortisone injections are generally safe but can cause temporary side effects.
Synvisc side effects range from mild to moderate but can subside once the body fully adapts to the medicine. Despite its temporary nature, it may persist. If so, patients must contact their healthcare providers to help them manage these Synvisc side effects or symptoms.
- Pain
- Swelling
- Heat
- Redness
- Fluid build-up around the knee
Medical professionals should discuss the side effects of cortisone with their patients before receiving this injection solution. Like Synvisc, patients should contact their healthcare providers for proper and safer management if these symptoms prolong.
- Pain
- Swelling
- Skin Discoloration
- Fat Atrophy
- Elevated Blood Sugar
Rare adverse events can also occur with these solutions, and patients should seek immediate medical attention when they encounter them. Furthermore, long-term safety is essential when using Cortisone and Synvisc for shoulders, knees, or other joints.
Synvisc has a favorable safety profile; medical professionals can suggest repeated treatments six months after the initial treatment. However, Cortisone injections have been associated with radiological cartilage degeneration at less than 12 months.
Careful evaluation by healthcare providers can ensure a safe and effective treatment for knee OA. They can align the therapy’s dosage and benefits, considering the patient’s needs, goals, OA condition, medical history, and overall health status.
Patient Considerations and Treatment Selection
Several factors can influence the choice between Synvisc vs Cortisone injections for knee OA symptom management. Both treatments have proven their efficacy, but the decision can significantly depend on medical professionals’ expertise and patient considerations that can affect the treatment choice.
- Severity of Knee Osteoarthritis Condition
- Age and Weight
- Family History of Osteoarthritis
- Previous Joint Injuries
- Current Medications
- Treatment Response to Other Therapies
If patients do not respond well to medications and non-pharmacological approaches, medical professionals may advise them to undergo viscosupplementation treatment like Synvisc. These providers can also determine the most appropriate treatment approach considering individuals’ specific needs.
Some providers may recommend Cortisone first and then switch to Synvisc when it does not adequately relieve patients. Remember that the healthcare provider’s expertise and knowledge are the keys to a safe and effective solution for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Conclusion
Synvisc and Cortisone injections offer effective treatment options for joint inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, specifically in the knee. Synvisc acts as a lubricant and shock absorber, providing long-lasting relief for up to six (6) months. Meanwhile, Cortisone delivers relief for many weeks with an anti-inflammatory steroid.
Patient factors and medical professionals’ expertise can influence the decision to determine the best treatment option for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Both treatments have favorable safety profiles and clinical efficacy. Ultimately, the most appropriate treatment will vary depending on the patient’s condition, preferences, and response to other treatments.
FAQs
1. What is Synvisc?
Synvisc is a viscosupplement injection mimicking the natural hyaluronic acid (HA) in the joint’s synovial fluid. It acts as a lubricant and shock absorber to restore the synovial fluid’s viscoelasticity and downregulate pro-inflammatory factors, reducing joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
2. What is Cortisone?
Cortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory steroid medication that reduces inflammation by decreasing the inflammatory response in the affected joint. It suppresses various elements of the immune system, further reducing inflammation, attendant pain, and swelling in the knees.
3. Which treatment is more effective for knee osteoarthritis pain relief, Synvisc or Cortisone?
In a clinical trial, Synvisc knee injections significantly improved knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain from week 12 until week 26 than corticosteroids. Synvisc can provide long-lasting knee OA pain relief for six (6) months or longer, depending on the severity of the condition. Meanwhile, Cortisone-treated patients can expect many weeks of relief, up to three months.
4. What are Synvisc and Cortisone injections’ side effects and safety profiles?
Both Synvisc and Cortisone injections are generally safe, but they can cause temporary side effects such as pain, swelling, heat, redness, and fluid build-up around the knee. Synvisc has a favorable safety profile; medical professionals can suggest repeated treatments six months after the initial therapy.
References
- Malemud C. J. (2015). Biologic basis of osteoarthritis: state of the evidence. Current opinion in rheumatology, 27(3), 289–294. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0000000000000162
- Konstantakos, MD, E. (n.d.). Cortisone Injection Risks and Side Effects. Arthritis-Health. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://www.arthritis-health.com/treatment/injections/cortisone-injection-risks-and-side-effects
