Trudy's Story
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Today, thanks to pain relief from Synvisc-One, Trudy K. is able to do the things she loves again — biking, swimming, walking on the beach.
About Trudy
- Location: Somerville, NJ
- Age: 55
- Diagnosed with osteoarthritis: 2003
- Activities: riding bike, going to the beach
Fighting the Osteoarthritis Knee Pain Cycle
Today, thanks to pain relief with Synvisc-One, Trudy K. is able to do the things she loves again — biking, swimming, walking on the beach. But for years before, she’d been suffering from osteoarthritis knee pain and battling the vicious osteoarthritis cycle: knee pain leads to inactivity, which leads to weight gain, which adds more stress on the knees.
“I definitely saw a cycle,” Trudy recalls. “It was really hard to keep moving because I was in pain. It was even painful to stand in the kitchen and cook dinner.” That meant a lot of take-out food for her, which led to weight gain and more knee pain.
Seeking Treatment
When Trudy was diagnosed with mild osteoarthritis, she sought ways to ease her knee pain. Yet it was an uphill climb. Says Trudy: “People don’t realize how painful it can be. Even my doctor said to me ‘It’s not really that bad.’ I’m not a complainer, but for me it was very painful. It might look mild on the X-rays, but the pain wasn’t mild at all!”
She tried pills and steroid injections, but they didn’t work for her. She eventually learned about Synvisc-One. “The brochure I read about Synvisc-One said that it would last up to six months, and that you get one injection. And after that injection, you go on with your life. And then you could go back and get it again.” Trudy asked her doctor, who agreed to give it a try.
A Simple Procedure
Trudy was pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy her Synvisc-One injections were. “I lay on a table. They gave me a shot in one leg, went around the table, gave me a shot in the other leg,” she says, adding with a laugh, “I was out of there within ten minutes.”
Treated with Synvisc-One
Actions Tips for Success
- Remember that the stage of osteoarthritis and your pain level are not always connected, so it’s important to tell you doctor exactly how much knee pain you’re experiencing at any given time.
- If you’re not happy with your treatment, don’t be afraid to do your own research and ask your doctor about alternatives.
- When you do find knee pain relief, take advantage by getting active again — it’s the best thing you can do for your knees.
For Trudy, the difference between her knee pain before and after her treatments has been night and day.
“I noticed a huge change in the level of pain I was dealing with,” she says. “Where I came from and where I am today are two totally different worlds. I’m so happy to be doing what I do. I rollerblade. I ride my bike. I swim. I’m having the time of my life.”
The Road Ahead
Trudy often reflects on what she’s gone through over the years. Between struggling with her knee pain, working with doctors to find the right treatment and finally discovering an option that works for her, it’s been a long road.
“I took for granted that I could walk or ride my bike and do all those things,” she says. “But living without them, then getting them back again, I learned never to take it for granted.”
Does she have any advice for those just starting out?
“A lot of people just accept knee pain as a sign of getting older. That they have to live like this,” she says. “But they don’t have to. Synvisc-One can help.”
This article is a testimonial of one patient’s story and their experience with Synvisc-One. Individual results may vary. You should consult with your doctor to determine if Synvisc-One might be right for you.
Indication
Synvisc-One® (hylan G-F 20) is indicated for the treatment of pain in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative non-pharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics, e.g., acetaminophen.
Important Safety Information
Before trying Synvisc-One, tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to SYNVISC or any hyaluronan-based products; or if you have an infected knee joint, skin disease or infection around the area where the injection will be given, or circulatory problems in the legs. Synvisc-One is only for injection into the knee, performed by a doctor or other qualified health care professional. Synvisc-One has not been tested to show pain relief in joints other than the knee. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to products from birds – such as feathers, eggs or poultry – or if your leg is swollen or infected. Synvisc-One has not been tested in children, pregnant women or women who are nursing. You should tell your doctor if you think you are pregnant or if you are nursing a child. Talk to your doctor before resuming strenuous weight-bearing activities after treatment.
The side effects (also called reactions) sometimes seen after any injection into the knee, including Synvisc-One, include (<2% each): pain, swelling, heat, redness, and/or fluid build-up in or around the knee. These reactions were generally mild and did not last long, but in rare occasions these side effects were more severe. The most commonly occurring adverse events outside of the injected knee were headache, back pain, sore throat, the flu and faintness. Allergic reactions such as rash and hives have been reported rarely in association with SYNVISC.
View the Complete Prescribing Information for Synvisc-One (PDF)
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