Durolane vs Monovisc – Which is the Better Joint Treatment?

Last Updated On: September 20, 2024

According to the National Institute on Aging, osteoarthritis becomes more common with age, affecting over 500 million people globally. As the cartilage that cushions the joints deteriorates, it leads to pain and reduced mobility, making effective treatments crucial for maintaining quality of life.

Durolane and Monovisc are two popular treatment options, both hyaluronic acid injections designed to lubricate and cushion the joints. While they share similar goals, their formulations and applications differ, and understanding these distinctions can help you make an informed choice for managing joint pain.

This article will explore the key features, benefits, and considerations of Durolane vs Monovisc to guide you in selecting the best treatment for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• Durolane and Monovisc are both hyaluronic acid-based treatments designed to relieve joint pain, particularly in individuals with osteoarthritis.
• These injectable therapies restore joint lubrication and cushioning, mimicking the natural fluid found in healthy joints, enhancing mobility and reducing pain.
• Durolane is formulated as a single-injection treatment containing a high concentration of non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA), providing long-lasting pain relief with just one injection.
• Monovisc, also a single-injection viscosupplement, contains a lower molecular weight hyaluronic acid, derived from bacterial fermentation, designed to be more elastic and spread easily within the joint space.
• Both products are free of animal proteins, reducing the risk of allergic reactions, and offer pain relief for up to six months, providing non-surgical options for long-term symptom management.

About: Operating since 2016, Med Supply Solutions is known for being one of the industry’s top and trusted suppliers of cosmetic and viscosupplementation products. If you’re looking to buy Durolane online, contact our sales department for more information.

Introduction to Durolane and Monovisc

Viscosupplements, like Durolane and Monovisc, are hyaluronic acid-based treatments designed to relieve joint pain, particularly in individuals with osteoarthritis. These injectable therapies restore joint lubrication and cushioning, mimicking the natural fluid found in healthy joints.

The importance of viscosupplements in joint treatment lies in their ability to enhance mobility and reduce pain, often delaying the need for more invasive procedures like surgery. Both Durolane and Monovisc offer pain relief for up to six months, providing non-surgical options for patients seeking long-term symptom management.

Composition of Durolane and Monovisc

Hyaluronic acid is the primary ingredient in both Durolane and Monovisc, serving as a lubricant and shock absorber in the joints. In healthy joints, hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the synovial fluid, helping cushion the cartilage and facilitate smooth movement.

As osteoarthritis progresses, the body’s natural hyaluronic acid levels decrease, leading to joint pain and stiffness. Viscosupplements like Durolane and Monovisc aim to replenish these levels and restore normal joint function.

Durolane is formulated as a single-injection treatment containing a high concentration of non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA). This unique, high-purity formulation is designed to provide long-lasting pain relief with just one injection. The Durolane dosing is typically one injection per joint, offering convenience for patients and reducing the need for frequent treatments.

Monovisc is also a single-injection viscosupplement but differs slightly in its formulation. It contains a lower molecular weight hyaluronic acid, derived from bacterial fermentation, compared to Durolane. Monovisc is designed to be more elastic, which allows it to spread easily within the joint space, providing effective lubrication and cushioning.

Both products are free of animal proteins, reducing the risk of allergic reactions. While neither contains additional active components beyond hyaluronic acid, their differences in molecular weight and formulation contribute to their varying viscosities and spreadability within the joint

Efficacy of Durolane and Monovisc

Finding a better joint treatment hinges on understanding how Durolane and Monovisc work. Studies show both are effective, but patient feedback and long-term gains may tip the scales.

A 6-year study involving 623 patients assessed the long-term effects of repeated Durolane injections. Results showed sustained pain relief, with an average interval of 467 days between the first and second injections, slightly decreasing with additional injections. The study confirmed the safety of repeated Durolane use.

In another multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, the safety and effectiveness of Monovisc in patients with symptomatic knee OA was evaluated. The trial involved 369 patients who received either a single injection of Monovisc or a saline placebo. The results showed that Monovisc significantly reduced knee pain and improved physical function compared to the placebo, with effects lasting up to 26 weeks.

Patient-reported Outcomes and Satisfaction Rates

Durolane needs less fluid than Monovisc. Yet, both can keep pain away for about half a year. People say they’re happy with both. They make moving easier and hurt less. 

About Durolane

• Jacques Gagnon: “…This year, I will be receiving my third DUROLANE treatment. I am 72 years old and I run around 65 km weekly – pain free. Thank you Durolane!”
• Greg Puchniak:”…DUROLANE has definitely given me a tool, a leg up, so to speak, to actually, be able to get back to what I want to do. Now I am getting out on the trails, on the road, and doing what I enjoy. I’m very happy with the product.”

About Monovisc

• Bel:”…As of now, getting injections on both my knees, I have done these injections for three years now. As long as I can continue getting Monovisc, my preferred remedy, I will, as knee surgery is out of the question for me. Love Monovisc!”
• Bennie:”…I went to a hospital fracture clinic to receive an injection. Treatment wasn’t painful at all . After 2 days of resting and applying ice on my knee , all my old pain and discomfort was gone . I wish that I had known about Monovisc much earlier. It is nice to live without pain again . I just hope that I will lose at least six months.”

Choosing between Durolane and Monovisc may come down to what each patient needs or prefers.

Safety Profiles of Durolane and Monovisc

Both Durolane and Monovisc are considered safe viscosupplements for treating osteoarthritis-related joint pain. However, like all medical treatments, they can be associated with certain side effects. 

Durolane side effects commonly include temporary pain, swelling, or discomfort at the injection site. Similar reactions are observed with Monovisc, such as mild joint stiffness, redness, or localized inflammation.

Neither product contains animal-derived ingredients, which lowers the risk of allergic reactions, especially when compared to older viscosupplements. However, patients with sensitivities should still consult their healthcare provider about potential allergenic risks.

In terms of safety, comparing Durolane vs Euflexxa, another popular viscosupplement, highlights a key difference: Durolane requires only one injection, while Euflexxa involves a series of three. This may influence patient preference based on convenience and potential side effects, but both options generally offer a strong safety profile across different patient populations.

Conclusion

Durolane and Monovisc are both reliable options for treating osteoarthritis-related knee pain, offering long-lasting relief with a single hyaluronic acid injection. Durolane can provide relief for up to six months, while Monovisc offers comparable benefits. Although both have potential side effects, they are generally considered safe. The decision between them should be based on personal preferences and a doctor’s advice tailored to individual needs.

FAQs

1. What is Durolane and how is it administered? 

Durolane is a single-injection viscosupplement containing non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) used to treat knee osteoarthritis pain by providing lubrication and cushioning in the joint.

2. How does Monovisc compare to Durolane? 

Monovisc and Durolane are both single-injection hyaluronic acid viscosupplements for knee osteoarthritis, but Monovisc uses high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, while Durolane utilizes non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) for potentially longer-lasting relief.

3. Can Durolane be used instead of Euflexxa or Orthovisc? 

Yes, Durolane can be used as an alternative to Euflexxa or Orthovisc for treating knee osteoarthritis, as all three are hyaluronic acid-based viscosupplements designed to provide joint lubrication and pain relief.

References

Osteoarthritis. National Institute on Aging. Published November 15, 2022. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/osteoarthritis/osteoarthritis

Mayo Clinic. Osteoarthritis. Mayo Clinic. Published June 16, 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925 

Cleveland Clinic. Osteoarthritis. Cleveland Clinic. Published November 26, 2019. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5599-osteoarthritis