Some of you may know from previous posts that I have a long standing issue with knee problems, surgeries, shots, PT, you name it. For the most part, my knees feel good while lifting. Running is the problem. I started playing basketball in a rec league and my knees are killing me. Feels like the shock absorbers are gone. I know a couple of well placed cortisone injections will provide some relief, but that is not a long term solution. Does anyone have any experience with Synvisc? I have heard that some people respond very well to this and that it can provide up to 6 months of relief.
I would like to continue playing ball, but I am afraid that zero to low impact conditioning is going to be my only alternative. Any advise? Thanks
Hi, this may late and this thread may be a bit old, just found it. I though i would respond though just in case. I have BAD knees and have tried a lot of things. I am at the point that my doctor wants to replace my left knee but wants to wait till I am 50, so I deal with. I have no miniscus(sp?) in my left knee and have had multiple operations on both knees.
Anyway, for me, Cissus has helped to a degree and so has Gluc/Cont. conbination(Joint Command is the supplement) but you have to load up and not stop. I still take these but only when I know I will be active for a period of time. So, for example, I start taking about 4 weeks out from the begining of softball season and take through the season. I think it helps, but not a whole lot.
I have had injections as well of cortizone and Supparts(sp?) which is just like Synvisc. Cortizone only lasted a short while, when I had more miniscus, it worked better, but you can only have 3 per year and then you start getting scar tissue. The Synvisc or Supparts worked for a short time as well. It requires 3-5 injections into the joint, for consecitive weeks and is expensive if not covered by insurance($1000 +). You get a gel injected into the joint and it is meant to help "cushion" the joint, provide lubrication and also has a pain reliever. It lasted for about 3 months for me, but should have lasted minimally 6 months to a year. Needless to say, it did not work to justify doing this every few months. I still had pain after the injections, so again, was not worth it.
the best medicine was dropping weight, strengthing the quad and calf muscles to help support and usinga knee brace as needed. I have a custom knee brace, so it helps to specifically the twisting motion. My acl has been replaced and is very strong, so, I do not use the brace often, the big problem is the cushion.
I bike, run on grass or dirt, never on hard/hard ground and make sure i have good shoes that are fitted properly(this made a difference - having a shoe fitted).
hope this answers some questions and feel free to ask questions back.
