Hyaluronan is also a natural substance found in the body, specifically, in large amounts in the joints.
The body’s natural hyaluronan acts as a lubricant and shock absorber which is necessary for normal joint function.
Synvisc is one of the hyaluronates that is used in a treatment known asviscosupplementation.
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The treatment is sometimes referred to as joint fluid therapy, hyaluronan injections, or hyaluronate injections.
The use of Synvisc for other joints is being investigated, but it is not yet approved.
Contraindications and Warnings
Synvisc should not be injected into patients with known hypersensitivity to hyaluronan products.
Intravascular injection of Synvisc (into a blood vessel) can cause systemic adverse events and should be avoided.
It is not recommended by the American College of Rheumatology either.
The safety and effectiveness of Synvisc in pregnant women or women who are nursing has not been established.
Repeated injections of Synvisc is considered safer than corticosteroids in patients with comorbidities which may make corticosteroids contraindicated.
Also, it should be noted that NSAID use may decrease in some patients following Synvisc injections.
Revised Sep 2014
Patient InformationSynvisc, Sanofi US.
Clinical Medical Insights: Arthritis Musculoskeletal Disorders.
2010; 3: 5568.
