Durolane vs. Synvisc

Osteoarthritis is an unfortunate condition that can cause significant discomfort in joints. Even though it cannot be fully treated, there are still multiple excellent ways of getting the issue under control, providing patients with significant pain relief and the ability to participate in daily activities without pain and significant struggles. And even if traditional therapy doesn’t help, there are a few non-surgical options to consider. Knee joint injections like Synvisc and Durolane are among those options!

In this article, we would like to cover all the essential questions when it comes to these two brands and compare them to understand how to pick the most suitable option for the treatment, and explain the differences to ensure you don’t confuse these products.

Durolane and Synvisc are both meant for professional use only, meaning only board-certified medical professionals are allowed to use them in their practice. Patients cannot administer these remedies alone due to the additional risks involved.

Comprehensive Comparison of Synvisc and Durolane Main Features

Before discussing the common features of Synvisc and Durolane, as well as indicating the main differences, let’s take a closer look at the primary information about each brand: manufacturer, composition, and indications for osteoarthritis patients. This is the most efficient way to understand the nature of both products, see their intentions, and understand whether these injectables are suitable for an individual to help and get rid of all the unfortunate complications osteoarthritis may bring.

Note: You must be a certified specialist to use either of these products. Without knowledge of the administration technique, dosing understanding, and good orientation in human anatomy, injections may not achieve the desired outcome, which is unfortunate considering the price and people’s hopes for these treatments.

#1. Manufacturer

Synvisc and Durolane are both meant for managing knee osteoarthritis, but have different manufacturers.

• Synvisc is a creation of Sanofi, which is a global pharmaceutical corporation that produces numerous effective products, such as Adlyxin, Apidra, Ranexa, and others. Still, Synvisc is one of the most popular options from this company.
• Durolane is manufactured by Bioventus. This company mainly develops ortho-biological products for better pain management, restorative therapy, and surgical solutions. Other popular products besides Durolane injections are Supartz FX and Gelsyn-3, which are meant to control osteoarthritis-related symptoms.

Even though different companies are working on these brands, they remain experts in the arthritis sphere, knowing exactly how to provide a desirable pain relief and comfort to patients who struggle with joint problems.

#2. Composition

The ingredients used for both brands vary as well, which is why it’s so important to discuss the treatment with specialists before deciding on one option. Recommendations may vary based on patients’ diagnoses, the severity of the problem, peculiarities of their bodies, and some other nuances that are with mentioning to and discovering with a medical professional. Now, let’s discuss the essentials when it comes to compositions:

• Synvisc is based on hylan-polymers (hylan G F 20 polymers, also a type of hyaluronic acid that might be found in chicken combs), and has a high molecular weight. This kind of composition helps to make up for the deficiency of naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in the human body, which is essential for joint health. Apart from hylan-polymers, Synvisc also contains sodium chlorides, which are meant to help the main component to replace a natural synovial fluid between the joints;
• Durolane, on the other hand, contains highly purified hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin with a high molecular weight mimics naturally-present hyaluronic acid in the human body, lacking of which between the joints is typically the main reason of OA knee pain. It also contains sodium chlorides disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

#3. Indications for the Joint Pain Prevention Therapy

Now that we know the basic characteristics, we can discuss the products’ indications and medical goals that can be achieved with their help. Even though those are similar, it is still better to understand all the nuances to pick the right option for the treatment:

• The main goal of Synvisc is osteoarthritis-related pain reduction in joints. It can be used for far more than just knee pain: hips, ankles, elbows, and other areas may also benefit from this product. If physical therapy doesn’t show desired results, Synvisc is considered to reduce pain and ensure patients can participate in their daily activities without discomfort;
• As for Durolane, it has similar indications and is very effective when it comes to osteoarthritis knee pain treatment. The gel is also suitable for other areas, but its primary zone is the knee region. It is typically prescribed for individuals who didn’t benefit from other procedures and need a product that can work directly on the delicate area.

Both brands are helpful and well-loved by patients worldwide, so the most important thing here is to make the right decision and pick the product that is more suitable for one’s needs.

Durolane vs. Synvisc: Common Features

Both brands discussed in this article are beneficial for joint mobility and reduce pain efficiently for a significant amount of time. They act as a lubricant and shock absorber, which is exactly what most patients with osteoarthritis need to improve their quality of life. In this paragraph, we’ll cover all the similarities between Synvisc and Durolane:

• Both products are meant to reduce knee pain (or joint pain in general) in people with osteoarthritis, as well as those who have recently gone through a knee replacement surgery;
• They are suitable for multiple target regions, such as knees, hips, ankles, elbows, wrists, etc.;
• They can only be used after doctor-diagnosed arthritis and confirmed that the injections are able to fulfill one’s needs;
• Only board-certified professionals are allowed to purchase and use these brands to improve their patients’ well-being;
• Each intra-articular injection provides long-lasting results (on average, up to six months);
• Patients notice a significant pain reduction in synovial joints after the treatment (according to recent clinical trials, up to 90% of people reported about the positive effect that Synvisc and Durolane had on them);
• The chances of experiencing side effects or severe allergic reactions are low due to the beneficial composition of each product.

The Main Differences Between the Products

Now that all the similarities are mentioned and discussed, let’s proceed to the differences. In order to pick the right option for long-lasting pain relief and guarantee a patient’s satisfaction, using the right brand is vital. Thus, let’s take a closer look at all the essential points:

• Durolane’s active ingredient is synthetic-based (synthetic hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin). On the other hand, Synvisc contains a naturally occurring hyaluronic acid typically found in chicken combs, also known as hylan-polymers. Thus, patients with a known sensitivity to eggs cannot use Synvisc and should be prescribed Durolane;
• Durolane requires fewer administration sessions for proper chronic knee pain reduction. This is a single-injection treatment that treats symptomatic knee osteoarthritis effectively and reduces pain for up to six months. Synvisc requires multiple injections to bring a symptomatic relief to individuals with knee OA, from three to five sessions once a week are required to see the effect. Still, these pain management treatments are equally helpful. Sometimes, healthcare providers recommend switching between the two to have a better and more durable effect after the session. And, of course, traditional physical therapy is important for the results as well;
• Even though both treatments are exceptionally effective, Durolane has a slightly more significant pain reduction than Synvisc. It doesn’t mean that one product is worse than the other, but patients with more severe osteoarthritis pain can benefit more from Durolane to achieve the desired results.

Note: Please keep in mind that each patient is unique and demands a different treatment plan to ensure arthritis-related discomfort is properly controlled. Sometimes, medications are combined for the results to be more intense and provide pain relief for a long time. A consultation with a medical professional is a must to understand these nuances better.

Knee Osteoarthritis Management Options to Improve Joint Function

Once patients are diagnosed and know exactly which issue must be treated, the next step for successful pain control is to create a treatment plan that includes the procedures and medications that best suit their needs. Here are the most popular and helpful options that have earned their good reputation:

• Physical therapy is basically a specially tailored exercise program created and supervised by a physical therapist. Its main goal is to straighten knee muscles to reduce muscle pain, improve joint movement and flexibility, and reduce painful sensations in the affected areas;
• Viscosupplementation is typically performed with intra-articular hyaluronic acid products, and it is a perfect option for individuals who have tried numerous treatment options and need an effective one to fulfill their needs;
• Corticosteroid injections must be administered by an experienced specialist. They are perfect for reducing inflammation and pain, which are the main indicators of osteoarthritis;
• Intra-articular sodium hyaluronate is a type of product that provides intense pain relief, which is why even patients with severe painful sensations can benefit from this type of treatment;
• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is also known as a knee-replacement surgery. Its primary goal is to diminish pain scores and restore knee function. Typically, patients consider it in case of severe osteoarthritis followed by complications.

Regular consultations with a medical professional can help understand the current state of the condition, meaning an easier way to define a suitable treatment plan and better results in the end. We highly recommend scheduling those regularly to not let osteoarthritis progress.

Synvisc vs. Durolane Comparison: Which One to Choose in the End?

Durolane and Synvisc are efficient hyaluronic acid injections for treating knee osteoarthritis. These gels are meant to be administered between the joints to act like a cushion and ensure people stop feeling painful sensations during movement.

Both brands are equally beneficial and provide excellent results, the only differences being dissimilarities in their compositions, the number of injections needed for good results, and the goals of the treatment. Therefore, the treatment plan must be developed together with a specialist to ensure the effect turns out as expected and patients get the desired pain relief. Sometimes, treatments may be combined to provide better results, or one product can be switched to another if the first one doesn’t meet one’s needs. Whatever the situation is, Synvisc and Durolane remain leaders in the world of osteoarthritis, and we definitely recommend considering them as a way to provide excellent results for your patients’ treatments.