About the Procedure
The full ORTHOVISC® treatment cycle consists of one injection a week for three or four consecutive weeks. Although individual results may vary, some people feel relief after the first injection.
The osteoarthritisOsteoarthritis
Arthritis typically with onset during middle or old age that is characterized by degenerative (gradual deterioration of joint) and sometimes abnormal growth in the bone and cartilage of one or more joints and a progressive wearing down of opposing joint surfaces with consequent distortion of joint position and is marked symptomatically especially by pain, swelling, and stiffness; abbreviation (OA) injection procedure itself usually only takes a few minutes, and most patients experience little or no discomfort.
Before the ProcedurePrior to receiving your treatment, be sure to inform your doctor of any medications – prescription or over-the-counter – and any nutritional supplements that you may be taking. |
During the ProcedureYour doctor will usually begin by cleaning the injection site with alcohol or iodine. A local anesthetic may also be administered to numb the knee and make the ORTHOVISC® injection as comfortable as possible. If there is excess fluid in the knee joint, your doctor may choose to remove it prior to performing the injection. |
After the ProcedureYou will be able to go home immediately after the osteoarthritis injection procedure. You should have no problems walking or driving. However, you should avoid putting a lot of strain on your knee for 48 hours after treatment, so refrain from activities such as tennis, jogging, heavy lifting or prolonged standing. If there is any mild pain or swelling at the injection site, you may want to apply an icepack for about 15 minutes or as instructed by your doctor. Side effects, if they occur, are usually mild and most commonly include temporary discomfort or pain at the injection site, back pain and headaches. If side effects persist, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. |
Repeating TreatmentORTHOVISC® patients usually experience up to six months of pain relief. But if your knee pain returns, you can receive a retreatment as soon as six months after the initial osteoarthritis injection. Consult your insurance provider to find out about coverage for retreatment. |
