CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- Osteoarthritis plagues millions of people, yet often remains undiagnosed until the condition reaches its late, more severe stages. To encourage people to seek treatment, Genzyme has launched the “In Step with SYNVISC” patient education program, providing a comprehensive online resource to facilitate earlier diagnosis and ongoing effective treatment options for knee pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA). The In Step with SYNVISC Web site, http://www.instepwithsynvisc.com, offers personalized education, motivation and ongoing support based on information supplied by patients when they register. It will help them progress in their treatment paths with a more balanced approach to OA knee pain management.
“Osteoarthritis is the number one condition that limits adult mobility in the United States. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, these numbers will only increase,” said Dr. Jeffery Kraines, medical director for Genzyme. “Early diagnosis can significantly improve long-term mobility as patients understand the importance of healthy lifestyles and appropriate treatment options. In Step with SYNVISC provides personalized information to guide patients toward more informed visits with their doctors, helping them get details on the most current treatments for their pain.”
According to the Arthritis Foundation, 21 million Americans suffer from OA. In Step with SYNVISC uses a balanced approach that combines education, motivation and ongoing support to help patients get the most relevant information and tools necessary to better manage their OA knee pain. Patients can even track their disease management progress online. In Step with SYNVISC offers the following benefits for anyone suffering from OA knee pain:
- Customized information regarding first steps for proper knee pain management - Progress tracking for treatment programs - Information about healthy lifestyle choices - Facts about osteoarthritis - Interactive tools for patients - Recipes for healthy living from Prevention Magazine - Knee exercises to reduce pain - Seasonal tips for reducing knee stress during outdoor activities such as gardening - Special offers through a partnership with the Arthritis Foundation
In Step with SYNVISC also includes links to helpful resources, including the Arthritis Foundation, the National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and the American College of Rheumatology. Patients should see their doctors for more information about the appropriate treatment for their knee pain.
Facts about Osteoarthritis
According to the Arthritis Foundation, 66 million (nearly one in three adults) suffer from chronic joint pain and 21 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, which is characterized by a breakdown of the cartilage and a deterioration of the fluid in a joint. The symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, from moderate to severe, and stiffness. Most people who have osteoarthritis are older than age 45, and women are more commonly affected than men.
About Synvisc®
Synvisc is the top selling viscosupplementation treatment on the market. It received FDA approval in 1997 and has been used to treat about 2.2 million knees in the U.S. Synvisc is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis (OA). It is for patients who do not get enough relief from simple painkillers such as acetaminophen, or from exercise and physical therapy.
Synvisc is generally well tolerated. However, it may not work for everyone. The side effects most commonly seen when Synvisc is injected into the knee were pain, swelling and/or fluid build-up around the knee. Cases where the swelling is extensive or painful should be discussed with a doctor. Other side effects such as rash have been reported rarely. Before trying Synvisc, patients should tell their doctors if they are allergic to products from birds -- such as feathers, eggs, or poultry -- or if their legs are swollen or infected. Patients should consult their doctors before resuming strenuous weight-bearing activities after treatment. Synvisc has not been tested in children, pregnant women or women who are nursing. Patients should tell their doctors if they think you are pregnant or if they are nursing a child.
About Genzyme
One of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Genzyme’s founding. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with more than 8,000 employees in locations spanning the globe and 2005 revenues of $2.7 billion. Genzyme has been selected by FORTUNE as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work for” in the United States.
With many established products and services helping patients in more than 80 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company’s products and services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopaedics, cancer, transplant and immune diseases, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme’s commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial development program focused on these fields, as well as heart disease and other areas of unmet medical need.
CONTACT: Beth Monaghan The Castle Group, Inc. (617) 227-0012, ext. 248 bmonaghan@thecastlegrp.com
Source: Genzyme
