Over 54 million people in the United States have arthritis and a large percentage of those are affected by it [Source: Centers for Disease and Control]. Many of these individuals find themselves seeking treatment from their physician in hopes of feeling some sort of relief from the chronic pain. While many elect to have steroids injected into the site where inflammation is present, others try alternative methods that don’t require the use of steroids.
Sadly, there are risks and symptoms that come along with having a knee injection, some of which are caused by the negligence of the manufacturing company who distributed them. And just last month, we have learned that certain Synvisc-One knee injections may be contaminated with a microbial and could potentially be harmful to those who received the shot.
Sanofi Genzyme, which is an American biotechnology company based in Massachusetts, “has initiated a voluntary product recall for one lot of Synvisc-One, a brand of hyaluronic acid” [Source: Arthritis Foundation]. The purpose of hyaluronic acid injections is to help improve knee pain from osteoarthritis for patients who “haven’t been helped by more conservative treatments, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).”
The lot apparently contains the presence of a microbial contamination that has been linked to an unexpected increase in side effects. As a result, an urgent letter was sent out to doctors, clinics, and pharmacies who received the syringes, informing them to stop using the knee injections. Unfortunately, there is still a chance some of these shots have already been administered.
The voluntary product recall comes after an ongoing investigation revealed the presence of a microbial contamination. But, there are thousands of forms of microbial, some that could potentially be fatal to humans. So, without knowing what type was present, it only puts those who may have been injected with an infected syringe at a higher risk of suffering from harsher symptoms than those listed on the package. Some of the symptoms that are listed include pain, swelling, heat, redness, and fluid build-up in or around the knee.
Which lot of the Synvisc-One syringes was recalled and what should I do if I had the knee injection?
The recall of Synvisc-One lot 7RSL021 is the one that has been deemed as potentially hazardous. Sanofi spokesperson Heather Guzzi has reported that each lot of the syringes contains approximately 18,000 and at least 12,380 of those from this particular lot were distributed across the U.S. So, if you have suffered adverse effects after you recently had a Synvisc-One knee injection administered, it is important for you to become aware of your rights as a victim. You are also going to want to learn what forms of legal action you may take against the parties who are liable for your pain and suffering as you may be eligible to collect compensation from them.
Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
Because these types of cases sometimes present obstacles to overcome, it is best to hire an experienced lawyer who knows how to maneuver through the legal system. Las Vegas personal injury attorney Edward Bernstein is familiar with how to overcome these hurdles and will work to ensure you receive a favorable outcome given you have a viable case. If you want a legal professional who is going to care about your injury, consider contacting our firm now by calling 702-240-0000 to schedule a consultation.