topic Re: Supartz for knees? in Wellness

Supartz for knees?

depglass — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:40:50 GMT

I've had the cortisone injections and I'm still having trouble with my right knee. I cannot put enough of my weight on it to negotiate stairs one after the other. I have to put weight on left leg only when going up or down. Will Supartz strengthen the knee? It also "goes out of joint" slightly on the outer lateral side, will Supartz help that? Sometimes I get the feeling he would inject coffee if I asked him. He doesn't seem to transmit a lot of info, except telling me it is made out of rooster combs. Like I care, I just want my old knee back.

Re: Supartz for knees?

AKgirl2 — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:07:14 GMT

@depglass wrote:
I've had the cortisone injections and I'm still having trouble with my right knee. I cannot put enough of my weight on it to negotiate stairs one after the other. I have to put weight on left leg only when going up or down. Will Supartz strengthen the knee? It also "goes out of joint" slightly on the outer lateral side, will Supartz help that? Sometimes I get the feeling he would inject coffee if I asked him. He doesn't seem to transmit a lot of info, except telling me it is made out of rooster combs. Like I care, I just want my old knee back.

I would definitely "ask" questions during and after your visit with doctor, and if he's using $25 words, tell him to please explain as simply as possible...knee supports will probably help more than not.
My dad got cortisone shots as well (breast plate area after open heart surgery) and 1st shot worked about 6 weeks, then next few no pain relief at all. His doctor did say this was a possibility, so definitely talk to your doctor about it...if youre finding he's missing the mark with information and explanation then I'd look for another physician.

Re: Supartz for knees?

hoosieroriginal — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:16:12 GMT

I'm going to knee Dr. friday - I've been wearing a great knee brace I got on Amazon.com - it has helped a bit - but like you said - going up stairs not good - did he give you a reason why your knee is doing this? Did he take x-rays? I want to find out why my knee is the way it is - is there a tear, will I eventually need surgery? You need to ask questions - you are paying him, he's not paying you.

Re: Supartz for knees?

butterfly123 — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:20:16 GMT

@depglass

I agree with @hoosieroriginal and the advice she wrote. Imaging is important to find out what may be happening with your knee. I wouldn't wait until your next appointment but instead ask him to call you and have a conversation with you.

Re: Supartz for knees?

karuna — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:49:34 GMT

I understand. I had pain, without arthritis, and the ortho did xrays and suggested a cortisone shot may be helpful is easing the inflammation and pain.

My mom had bone on bone arthritis in her knee with a weak tendon, and had the same symptoms. For that, the first line of non-invasive intervention is a cortisone shot and/or a series of Synvic shots, which I think is similar to Supartz. For some it works. Nothing helped her other than a replacement. That was her situation.

Best yo you.

Re: Supartz for knees?

Pook — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 21:45:45 GMT

Mine started out that way and then started hurting when I walked. I waited too long to go to the doctor and while going up steps my knee gave out with excruciating pain. Dr said torn miniscus and MRI confirmed. I had surgery to have it cleaned up and now it's very stable. After 40 they don't repair it but just shave it down to make it smooth or clean out any torn off pieces. While still sore some and swellen at times and stiff after 8 weeks, well worth it. Simple short outpatient surgery with soreness and stiffness but very little pain for me. Also a friend was getting injections for years and thought she was headed for replacement but went to another specialist who did an MRI and just went in and cleaned things up and now no pain.

Re: Supartz for knees?

muttmom — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 22:25:53 GMT

I have just 1 natural knee so it takes a lot of wear and tear. In 2007 I had surgery for a torn meniscus. I had about 7 good years. My knee started giving out on me, but it would come and go. Finally in March I had a steroid shot. I had 4 good weeks then the symptoms returned. In mid May, over a 3 week period, I had 3 gel shots. (Ortho Visc) I had a bad reaction to the second one, and after the third, had an ultrasound to check for blood clots. (my calf was killing me) My doctor said expect 4-6 weeks before I can really tell if this is helping. (if not I need a replacement) This week, I think my knee is feeling better.

Re: Supartz for knees?

Kachina624 — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 02:59:36 GMT

If you're having knee problems and conventional cures have not worked, you need to bite the bullet and consider a knee replacement. At best, the common "cures" are only temporary patches for a condition that can only be corrected by surgery.

Knee replacements are so common and very expensive, I expect Medicare to clamp down on benefits. They've already reduced the time they'll pay for a hospital stay. I don't think it pays to put it off.

Re: Supartz for knees?

LIndaMJ — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 23:46:32 GMT

@depglass, you may want to consider making an appointment with an orthopedist, since they specialize in knee, hip, joints, etc. problems. Due to osteoarthritis in my right knee, I had my second of three shots of Supartz this past Monday. I've been having these gel shots every 6 months for a year now and I don't Know what I'd do without them. Cortisone only works for 2 weeks for me. Anyways, an orthopedist will X Ray your knee and could send you for an MRI to see specifically what is causing your problem and from there he'll know what course needs to be taken to make you feel better❤️.

Re: Supartz for knees?

hckynut — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 00:44:58 GMT

@depglass

You may have already posted this answer in the past, but i do not remember seeing it. What exactly did your MRI show as the source of your knee issue?

hckynut(john)

Re: Supartz for knees?

depglass — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 14:59:28 GMT

Yes, there are Xray,s but no MRI because I have a pacemaker. Medtronic is adamant about no Xrays, no matter what docs tell you. They instruct us to have docs call them if one is suggested. Anyway, those Xrays came from orthopaedists office over a year ago. This whole process was interrupted by a broken ankle last year. The Xrays show grows that look like tiny mushrooms to me, caused by my 40 years of osteoarthritis. Orthos had decided Supartz was the next step after PT and cortisone. As of now I haven't gone back to them because they are booked up way more than my GP. Since he concurs with their protocol, I'm going with him for now. As for the language, I took a medical terminology class eons ago when I was a legal secretary, so that gives me the ability to look up just about anything. From what you guys are telling me so far, I think I'm going ahead with the Supartz. Thanks to all that took the time to answer. This board is much better for all around opinions than talking to the two friends that have had Supartz. (one success, one failure).

Re: Supartz for knees?

Gooday — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 16:32:09 GMT

Good for you OP.
I had meniscal tears in 2 spots. I had an arthroscope. My ortho told me in the recovery room that my knee was loaded with arthritis. He cleaned up as much as he could.
My healing was slow going.
8 months later while we were in Az. for the winter my knee was acting up.
I saw a new ortho who took x-rays and gave me a cortisone injection that worked for 4 days. Two weeks later he gave me a Monovisc It's the same as Synvisc or Supartz only it's one injection as opposed to 3 or 5.

I will honestly say it took a month or more before I was pain free but, the knee feels great.
I wish you well and hope you get relief. Don't be surprised though if you don't.