<p>Or one of the other artificial synovial fluids for joint lubrication when one has arthritis? It has been suggested to me for my hip arthritis. I’d be interested in hearing pros and cons and experiences people had with it in any joint, not necessarily hips.</p>
<p>Ive had synvisc one injection into my right knee.
Didn’t do anything as far as I could tell.
My ins paid for it, but if I had to pay out of pocket, I would pass.
I would suggest physical therapy & exercise especially water exercise, if you are not ready for surgery.</p>
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<p>I had synvisc in my knee several years ago. I have had zero knee pain until very recently, so I plan on calling the doc for another soon. It doesn’t work right away. I think it was a few weeks after the injections before i noticed any difference. At the time I had the first injection, physical therapy was causing increased pain so I had to stop. The synvisc was a godsend for me!</p>
<p>Did you have the series of shots or the synvisc-one, glopop?
I was very disappointed when it didn’t work, but I think my knee was too far gone.
It was the only treatment that the ortho could recommend as he insisted I was too young for a replacement ( I was 54 at the time).
I also tried acupuncture which seemed to give a little more relief and the acupuncture needles are a lot more comfortable than the synvisc injection. 
( acupuncture was $70 a treatment and wasnt covered by ins, synvisc one was $1,500 a pop and is covered by ins. Go figure)</p>
<p>I struggled with it all last winter, until I could not get around the block even with a cane. despite physical therapy and exercise.
Then I changed drs & had a TKR in May. It has made a world of difference and now I am even mostly down to over the counter pain meds.
A friend who had a hip replacement a month or so ago, was down to over the counter meds IMMEDIATELY and only OCCASIONALLY, which I cant even fathom! 
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<p>My knees have been going bad for the past several years due to osteoarthritis. Several years ago, when I had right knee problems only, I had Orthovisc injections and they gave me relief for almost three years! When I started having problems again, this time with both knees, I was seeing a different orthopedic doctor due to insurance changes and, when I requested Orthovisc again, he said they only use Supartz in their office. I did get some relief, but not near as much as I had gotten with Orthovisc. Several months ago, I had a series of Euflexxa injections in both knees. I got minimal relief. I was told some time ago that knee replacements are my future, but I just dread the thought. I guess I’m thinking back to the day when I worked the ortho floor at the hospital and I remember having patients who had total knee replacements and how long they were hospitalized and then went to in-house rehab. I don’t want that. I hope you find some relief, Lizardly.</p>
<p>Splash mom, I was in the hospital two nights, but they had me walking right after surgery.
H stayed home with me for a week & I began once a week PT ( not home based) after two weeks or so, which lasted for three months. I was cleared to drive ( it is my right knee) after six weeks.</p>
<p>I was actually terrified of surgery, but even though it was much worse ( £& longer surgery) than my xrays indicated, I am soo glad I had it done.
I understand your hesitation, but when I went to the pre op class at the hospital, I was the only one on crutches, so obviously other Drs. aren’t expecting their patients to have to struggle for as long as I did before they recommend a replacement.</p>
<p>Half the people over 60 that I know are using synovisc. They all love it. Several people have avoided knee replacement surgery for several years now.</p>
<p>Ek4-I had the series of three shots, once a week for three weeks. This was at least 3 years ago but possibly even 5 years ago!</p>
<p>I have no ACL in my right knee. I tore it playing racquetball about 25 years ago and rehabbed it without surgery. Arthroscopic surgery was new back then and mostly for pro athletes. The consequence of not having an ACL for so long is osteoarthritis from the bones putting pressure on the synovial fluid and compressing it so much that the bones begin to rub together.</p>
<p>Owee.
I had ligaments , I just didnt have cartilage, it was bone on bone.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. It sounds like the biggest side effect is the cost. I could pay a lot of money and have no relief. </p>
<p>Insurance will cover knees but not hips. I have been waiting for that to change, but it hasn’t yet.</p>
<p>Ek4, I have been pursuing PT, chiropractor, and other alternative treatments and have had some relief, but fear I will hit the limit of these remedies. I don’t think I have completely exhausted these alternatives just yet, however.</p>