What are Orthovisc® Injections?

Orthovisc® is a viscous (thick) sterile mixture made from highly purified hyaluronan from rooster combs. Hyaluronan is a natural chemical found in the body. High amounts of hyaluronan are found in the joint tissues and in the fluid that fills the joints. The body's own hyaluronan acts like a lubricant and a shock absorber in the joint. It is needed for the joint to work properly. When you have osteoarthritis, there may not be enough natural hyaluronan in the joint, and the quality of that hyaluronan may be poorer than normal. This injection is given in a shot (injection) directly into the knee or shoulder joint.

Directions

Orthovisc® is injected directly into the knee, where Orthovisc® may help restore the cushioning properties of your joint fluid. Orthovisc® can provide up to six months of relief from knee pain. Orthovisc® is given as an hyaluronic acid injection. Your doctor will inject this knee injection into your knee once a week, for a total of three injections. This hyaluronic acid injection can usually be done right in the doctor's office or at the hospital in x-ray under fluoroscopy for the shoulder.

Caution

You should not take this injection if you are allergic to hyaluronate products. You should not take this injection if you are allergic to products from birds (poultry, feathers, eggs, etc.). If you are injected with this injection and are allergic to bird products, you could develop an allergic reaction to the injections. You should not have an injection into the knee if you have infections or skin diseases around the injection site.