Osteoarthritis Q & A

My healthcare coverage is reluctent to allow me any more Synvisc injections for my arthritic knees. I have had to date a total of 36 injections, 18 in each knee. Each time I get these shots I gain enormous relief. The Doctor’s tell me about studies that show that the Synvisc does not work repeatedly. I keep telling them to please refer to my own personal study, you know the one that does work repeatedly as experienced by me. Are there any studies that do show repeated Synvisc usage works and works well???

I read your answer to the question re Synvisc efficacy for a runner with knee osteoarthritis (posted 2/13/99). I had already gathered that hyaluronate injections would not be very helpful to runners. I run 5-15 mile races, and I am not going to stop until I am wheelchair-bound. I have tried hot packs, cold packs, analgesics, NSAIDS, physical therapy, Cho-Pat strap, knee braces, and two arthroscopic surgeries over the last 7 years. So, what can I do to reduce the pain in both knees from osteoarthritis so that I can keep running these races? The Bionicare BIO-1000 device? Unfortunately, acupuncture, acupressure, and massage are not covered by my insurance.

I have very bad knee pain. I’ve had the Halygen shots and they worked well for a while. I know I need to lose weight but dieting alone doesn’t work for me. Exercise alway has but everytime I try to excercise my knees hurt. It’s a catch 22. What, specifically, do people do in these cases?

Has anyone ever heard of injections of rooster cone for treatment of ostearthritis?

Two years ago, I was diagnosed with CMC arthritis. I have been told numerous of times by my doctors that this is a very common problem in women. What makes my situation unusual is that I am only thirty two years old. I have exhausted all other forms of treatment, including cortisone shots, with little to no relief. I will be going next week for another second opinion for surgery with a hand specialist. It seems the problem with performing surgery on my thumb is not knowing whether it would be successful. My doctors are unaware of a case like mine, with my age, so are not certain what the outcome will be if they perform it. I would appreciate any insight you may have on cases where this common surgery, has been done on an uncommon aged woman, and its outcome.

I have just injection in my right knee,[steroid] my doctor said it can last two or twelve months,is this right ,and will it come back worse than before.