Joint Diseases and Injuries

Genzyme Biosurgery offers two advanced ways to treat joint problems: Synvisc® (Hylan G-F 20) for Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip and Carticel® (autologous cultured chondrocytes) for knee cartilage damage.

Osteoarthritis in the knee and hip

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a disease that can cause pain and stiffness in the joints (i.e., lower back, hips, knees, etc.). The ends of the bones in normal joints are covered with smooth cartilage, which provides protection to these bones. Joints also contain a fluid called synovial fluid, which acts as a cushion or "shock absorber" and lubricates the joint.

In people with osteoarthritis, the synovial fluid becomes thinner and loses its elasticity and ability to provide a good cushion. For this and other reasons, the cartilage covering the ends of the bones begins to break down and wear away, sometimes enough to expose the bones themselves.

Osteoarthritis may be caused by many factors, including:

Excessive wear on the joints

Age, although osteoarthritis does not occur in all people as they age

Obesity, especially with osteoarthritis of the knees

A small deformity of the bones in a joint

Joint injuries from sport

Work-related activities or accidents

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

The main symptom of osteoarthritis is pain. You may feel pain during movement and even at rest. Your joints may also be stiff and swollen, and you may even experience a loss of range of movement in the joint. The symptoms of osteoarthritis may interfere with your normal activities, such as walking and dressing, and they may also disrupt your sleep.

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint. It commonly occurs in the knees, hips, and spine. For example, if you have osteoarthritis of the knee, you may feel tenderness in the knee area and pain during movement of the knee. You may also feel a "grating" or "catching" sensation in the joint during movement. The large muscles around your knee will become weaker with time if pain prevents you from moving or exercising the leg.

Knee cartilage damage

Approximately 2 million knee injuries occur each year, making knee pain one of the most common sources of chronic joint pain. Pain, swelling, locking and catching affect one’s ability to work, participate in sports, or even perform daily tasks. Many of these knee injuries involve the cartilage in the knee. Cartilage does not have a natural ability to heal and, if left untreated, the damage may spread to surrounding healthy cartilage and cause further deterioration of the joint surface. If your knee causes you pain or limits your activities of daily

If your knee causes you pain or limits your activities of daily living consult an orthopedic surgeon - they can diagnose the source of your pain and recommend a treatment that’s right for you.

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