Improved Function

From a head-to-head trial of SYNVISC vs. Hyalgan, SYNVISC provided greater improvement in function1*

Improvement in function

Study detail:

  • Prospective, observer-blinded, randomized, active-controlled, single-center  trial of 392 patients with osteoarthritis knee joint pain
  • 3 injections of SYNVISC vs. 5 injections of Hyalgan
  • 26-week follow-up shown
  • Independently funded

Data shown for follow-up visits at six weeks, three months and six months. Mean age of patients was 67.2 years. Most had radiographically confirmed Kellgren-Lawrence grade III OA at baseline (SYNVISC 61%; Hyalgan 59%). Functional outcomes were assessed using Oxford, Tegner, and UCLA knee scores.1*

From a meta-analysis of viscosupplements, SYNVISC delivered unsurpassed improvement in function2

Improvement in function

Analysis detail:

As measured by the baseline-adjusted sum of pain intensity differences (ASFID), expressed as a percentage.

From a meta-analysis evaluating the therapeutic efficacy and safety of viscosupplements on knee OA. Relevant databases were searched for blinded, randomized, well-controlled trials comparing a viscosupplement product to placebo. Twenty trials, involving 1647 randomly assigned knees, were included in the meta-analysis. In addition to trials involving SYNVISC, the meta-analysis included trials of the non-cross-linked viscosupplements Hyalgan® (sodium hyaluronate), Supartz® (sodium hyaluronate), Orthovisc® (high molecular weight hyaluronan), and EuflexxaTM (1% sodium hyaluronate). Data shown are from a secondary analysis comparing two trials of SYNVISC vs. placebo with 15 trials of non-cross-linked viscosupplements vs. placebo.2

*Well-controlled clinical trials demonstrate that reducing pain can help improve function as measured by WOMAC pain and function domains.3,4



1. Raman R, et al. Efficacy of Hylan G-F 20 and Sodium Hyaluronate in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee — A prospective randomized clinical trial, The Knee (2008), doi:10.1016/j.knee.2008.02.012


1. Raman R, et al. Efficacy of Hylan G-F 20 and Sodium Hyaluronate in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee — A prospective randomized clinical trial, The Knee (2008), doi:10.1016/j.knee.2008.02.012


2. Wang C-T, Lin J, Chang C-J, Lin Y-T, Hou S-M. Therapeutic effects of hyaluronic acid on osteoarthritis of the knee: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Bone Joint Surg.2004;86-A:538-545.


2. Wang C-T, Lin J, Chang C-J, Lin Y-T, Hou S-M. Therapeutic effects of hyaluronic acid on osteoarthritis of the knee: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Bone Joint Surg.2004;86-A:538-545.


3. Caborn D, Rush J, Lanzer W, Parenti D, Murray C, on behalf of the Synvisc 901 Study Group. A randomized, single-blind comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of hylan G-F 20 and triamcinolone hexacetonide in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. J Rheumatol.2004;31:333-343.


4. Brander V, Bart G, Stadler T. Functional improvement with hylan G-F 20 in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Poster presented at: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Annual Assembly. November 9-12, 2006, Honolulu, Hawaii.