Steve S, 62, Kansas
“For years, I took ibuprofen, naproxen, all kinds of things. I tried steroid injections, but I still needed prescription pain relievers on top of them.”
A rough patch
Steve has always enjoyed the outdoors. So, after retiring from federal work, he started a hunting and guiding company. He’d been having knee pain for some time, but the rough Midwestern terrain was starting to cause problems. “We have knee-high grass and badger holes and all kinds of things like that to step into.”
Steve tried to find relief for the osteoarthritis knee pain he felt in both knees. “For years, I took ibuprofen, naproxen, all kinds of things. I tried steroid injections, but I still needed prescription pain relievers on top of them.”
“Knee pain is one of those things you feel like you can’t do anything about, and it limits your activities.” But Steve didn’t want to give up hunting and guiding. He needed a solution that would let him stay active without so much pain.
Gave it a shot
After Steve told his doctor that other treatments weren’t working, the doctor mentioned Synvisc-One® (hylan G-F 20). Since it’s often administered by a specialist, Steve’s doctor helped him find an orthopaedic surgeon close by, “I called that doctor, made an appointment and had a shot in each knee.”
Synvisc-One gave Steve the osteoarthritis knee pain relief he wasn’t getting from his other treatments. “I’d been taking pain pills every morning. But after Synvisc-One, I didn’t need all of the pain pills that I had been taking.”
Out and about
After finding the knee pain relief he needed, Steve was ready to get back outside. “Now when I take people out on the trails, I don’t need to limit my activities any more. I walk along with everybody and keep control of my hunting dogs. I keep moving."
Most Synvisc-One patients experience up to six months of pain relief; it was only natural that eventually Steve’s knee pain started to return. When it did, he knew it was important to talk to his doctor again.
“Late last year, I noticed I was having a little bit more pain and had to start taking pain relievers again. So I went back to the doctor, and he recommended a Synvisc-One injection in each knee as part of my long-term treatment plan.”
Thinking long term
Steve is learning how to live with knee osteoarthritis and working with his doctor to make sure they stay on top of his pain.
“As part of my treatment plan, I’ve realized how important it is to keep moving, to help maintain flexibility and strength in my knees.” Steve is thankful that Synvisc-One helped give him the pain relief he needs to stay active — a key part of managing osteoarthritis knee pain.
“You can’t sit on your butt all the time. My advice to people is to just get out there. Just walk. Even when I’m not hunting or guiding, I take the dogs out for a walk.”
NEXT: Trudy K, 55, New Jersey
PLEASE NOTE: This article is a testimonial of one patient’s story and his experience with Synvisc-One. Individual results may vary.