Orthovisc - For The Knee

What is ORTHOVISC?

ORTHOVISC® is a viscous (thick) sterile mixture made from highly purified hyaluronan from rooster combs. Hyaluronan is a natural chemical found in the body. High amounts of hyaluronan are found in the joint tissues and in the fluid that fills the joints.  The body's own hyaluronan acts like a lubricant and a shock absorber in the joint.  It is needed for the joint to work properly.  When you have osteoarthritis, there may not be enough natural hyaluronan in the joint, and the quality of that hyaluronan may be poorer than normal.  ORTHOVISC® is given in a shot (injection) directly into the knee joint.

What is ORTHOVISC used for? 

ORTHOVISC® is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis. It is used for patients who do not get adequate pain relief from simple pain relievers like acetaminophen or from exercise and physical therapy.

What are the benefits of ORTHOVISC?

Clinical trials conducted in the U.S. have shown that ORTHOVISC® provides pain relief to patients who have not been able to find pain relief with simple pain medication or exercise compared to saline placebo injections.

What other treatments are available for osteoarthritis? 

If you have pain due to oseteoarthritis of the knee, there are things tou can do that do not involve ORTHOVISC injections. These include:

Non-durg treatments: 

• Avoiding activities that cause pain in yyour knee
• Excecise
• Physical therapy
• Removal of excess fluid from the knee

Drug therapy:

• Pain medication such as acetaminophen and narcotics
• Drugs that reduce inflammation, such as aspirin and other "nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory" agents (NSAI1Ds) (such as ibuprofen and naproxen)
• Corticosteroids that are injected directly into the knee joint

Are there any reasons why you should not take ORTHOVISC®?

• You should not take this product if you are allergic to products from birds (poultry, feathers, eggs, etc.). If you are injected with ORTHOVISC® and are allergic to bird products, you could develop an allergic reaction to the injections.
• You should not have an injection into the knee if you have infections or skin diseases around the injection site

Things you should know about ORTHOVISC®

• ORTHOVISC® should be injected by a qualified physician.
• Tell your physician if you are allergic to products from birds, such as feathers, eggs, and poultry. If you are allergic to bird products and you have ORTHOVISC® injections, you may have a severe reaction and even die from the injection.
• For 48 hours after you receive the injection, you should avoid activities such as jogging, tennis, heavy lifting or standing on your feet for a long time (more than one hour).
• The safety and effectiveness ORTHOVISC® in joints other than the knee have not been demonstrated in U.S. studies.
• The safety and effectiveness of ORTHOVISC® has not been shown in pregnant or nursing women. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.
• The safety and effectiveness of ORTHOVISC® has not been shown in children.
• The safety and effectiveness have not been established for more than one course of treatment.

Possible complications

• Side effects are sometimes seen when ORTHOVISC® is injected into the knee joint. These can include pain, swelling, heat, rash, itching, bruising and/or redness. You may also feel achy. These reactions are generally mild and do not last long.
• If any of these symptoms or signs appear after you are given ORTHOVISC® or if you have any other problems, you should call your doctor.

How is ORTHOVISC® given?

Your doctor will inject ORTHOVISC® (30 mg/2 mL) into your knee once a week, for a total of 3 or 4 injections.