How SYNVISC® Compares

SYNVISC is the number one prescribed viscosupplement product in the United States. Used in over five million knees5, it's the only treatment of its kind to offer up to six months of pain relief with only three injections.

Review selected information from FDA-approved package inserts of SYNVISC and other viscosupplements—and see how the competition measures up. Then click on the tabs to read more detailed product comparisons.

SYNVISC vs. Other Viscosupplements

From a head-to-head trial of SYNVISC® (hylan G-F 20) vs. Hyalgan® (sodium hyaluronate)

SYNVISC provided superior improvement in pain and function than Hyalgan6*

reduction in pain over 26 weeks graph 

Improvement in function

Prospective, observer-blinded, active-controlled trial of 392 patients with OA knee pain who were randomized to receive either 3 weekly injections of SYNVISC or 5 weekly injections of Hyalgan. Follow-up visits occurred at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Mean age of patients was 66.7 years. Most had radiographically confirmed Kellgren-Lawrence grade III OA at baseline (SYNVISC 61%; Hyalgan 59%). Pain was measured on a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). Functional outcomes were assessed using Oxford, Tegner and UCLA knee scores.6

* Well-controlled clinical trials demonstrate that reducing pain can help improve function as measured by WOMAC pain and function domains.7,8


1. Hyalgan [Product Information]. New York, NY: Sanofi-Synthelabo, Inc.; 2001.


2. Supartz [Product Information]. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc.; 2004


3. Orthovisc [Product Information]. Woburn, MA: Anika Therapeutics, Inc.; 2004.


4. Euflexxa [Product Information]. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2005.


5. Data on file, Genzyme Corporation.


6. 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


6. 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


7. 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.


8. 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.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


11. Brandt KD, Block JA, Michalski JP, Moreland LW, Caldwell JR, Lavin PT, and the Orthovisc® Study Group. Efficacy and safety of intraarticular sodium hyaluronate in knee osteoarthritis. Clin Orthop. 2001;385:130-143


12. Neustadt D, Caldwell J, Bell M, Wade J, Gimbel J. Clinical effects of intraarticular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronan (Orthovisc®) in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial. J Rheumatol. 2005;32:1928-1936


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


14. Tamir E, Robinson D, Koren R, Agar G, Halperin N. Intra-articular hyaluronan injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee:a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2001;19(3):265-270.


15. Kirchner M, Marshall D.A double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing alternate forms of high molecular weight hyaluronan for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006;14(2):154-162.