What is Hymovis?
Hymovis is an injectable gel that is used to treat pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. Made of proprietary and highly modified hyaluronan that has enhanced lubricating and shock absorption abilities, Hymovis can provide long-lasting pain relief in a simple two-injection regimen. Hymovis is manufactured by Fidia.
How to use it?
The following describes how Hymovis is implanted intra-articularly.
It is essential that the preprocedural consultation be held. This session allows the doctor to assess the patient’s condition and determine the severity of the OA. The consultation session can also be used to educate the patient about possible side effects and appropriate aftercare techniques for quick recovery. Once the patient is ready, a treatment date can then be determined. Hymovis injections are only permitted for patients who have no contraindications.
Clean and disinfect the area where the procedure will be performed on the day. Joint effusions must be removed with a needle of 18 to 20 gauge. Failure to do so can lead to undesirable side effects. The next step is to prepare the medical device. Attach a 18- to 20 gauge sterile needle at the tip of the prefilled Syringe. The full 3ml of hyaluronan jelly should be injected into the intra-articular space. Do not overfill the joint. You can use separate syringes for each knee joint if the patient needs treatment in both of their joints. The second injection should be administered one week later to the knee.
After you have given the hyaluronan Gel, dispose of all needles and syringes in biological waste bins.
Only experienced and trained medical professionals can perform the entire procedure in strict aseptic settings.
How does it work?
The flexible synovial membrane is a characteristic of synovial joints such as the hips and knees. The protective articular cartilage is a thin layer that covers the ends of bones. This protects them from friction and allows them to glide smoothly against each other. The synovial membrane also produces lubricating synovial liquid that absorbs shocks in the event of sudden impacts. The articular cartilage can become damaged from wear and tear, excess weight, or injuries. In this case, the bones will grind against each other when they move. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that causes debilitating symptoms like pain, swelling, stiffness in the joints, and a lack of mobility.
Hymovis contains 8mg/ml viscoelastic, hyaluronan from biofermentation. This hyaluronan can be extracted and purified using patented technology. It is not subject to any chemical reticulating agent. The resulting hyaluronan, HYADD 4, is superior in lubricating as well as shock-absorbing properties. Hymvois is injected intraarticularly into the affected knee joints. This replaces the synovial fluid and allows patients to resume daily activities with less pain and discomfort.
How long does it last?
After Hymovis treatment, patients should notice improvements in their OA within six months. Hymovis’s effectiveness is affected by the severity of the OA. Patients can get another Hymovis injection if the injected viscosupplement wears out and symptoms of OA return.
Is it safe?
Yes, Hymovis is a very safe viscosupplementation, as it is made in a strict laboratory setting. Hyaluronan, the active ingredient in Hymovis, is obtained from a strict bacterial fermentation process. After that, it undergoes a thorough purification process. Hymovis is a safe and effective intra-articular device because it does not contain any pyrogens or chemical reticulating agent. However, it is not recommended for the following patients because of its low safety profile.
Patients allergic to hyaluronan
Allergy to gram-positive bacterial proteins in patients
Patients with dermal reactions (e.g. inflammations, injections, etc.) In the area or joint where you are seeking treatment.
For more information on warnings and precautions, refer to the package insert.
What are the side effects?
These are some of the side effects that Hymovis can cause:
Redness
Pain
Swelling
Itching or tingling sensations
Stiffness in the joints
To reduce side effects, tell your patients to refrain from engaging in high-impact activities such as tennis and jogging, as well as prolonged weight bearing activities such as standing for 48 hours. However, severe reactions are still possible in some patients.
These are some of the side effects that Hymovis can cause:
Arthropathy
Phlebitis
Tendonitis
Paraesthesia
Pruritus
These lists are not complete. Refer to the insert for a detailed listing of side effects.
What is it made of?
Hymovis, a hyaluronan implant intra-articular, is intended to be injected into synovial space to relieve pain from OA. Each 5mL syringe comes preloaded with sterile Gel that contains 8mg/ml ultra-pure, high molecular weight hyaluronan. This hyaluronan has been dissolved in physiologic Saline. Hymovis should only be injected once per week in the affected knee joint.
THE ORIGIN OF THIS PRODUCT IS FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (EC)
