ORTHOVISC®

About ORTHOVISC® — Ultra-High MW HA Viscosupplementation for Knee OA

ORTHOVISC® is an FDA-approved Class III medical device developed by Anika Therapeutics for treating knee pain associated with osteoarthritis in patients who have not achieved adequate relief from conservative therapies and simple analgesics [3]. As a viscosupplement rather than a pharmaceutical, ORTHOVISC® injection supplements the diminished hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritic joints and helps restore the lubricating and shock-absorbing properties of synovial fluid.

Each intra-articular syringe contains sterile, non-pyrogenic sodium hyaluronate at 15 mg/mL in physiological saline, delivering 30 mg of ultra-high-MW HA per injection across a three- to four-week course [4]. Clinical studies evaluating ORTHOVISC® include prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter trials published in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to an established evidence base in viscosupplementation therapy [1][2].

Why Licensed Practitioners Rely on ORTHOVISC® for Viscosupplementation

ORTHOVISC® is formulated with sodium hyaluronate at an ultra-high molecular weight range of 1.0 to 2.9 million Daltons, a profile engineered to approximate the viscoelastic properties of healthy synovial fluid. Because osteoarthritis progressively reduces both the concentration and molecular weight of native joint HA, ultra-high-MW formulations provide a strong mechanical basis for restoring lubrication and cushioning within the knee. Peer-reviewed trial evidence supports meaningful improvements in pain and functional outcomes among patients completing the full ORTHOVISC® injection series [1][2].

The second differentiator is the source. ORTHOVISC® is produced through bacterial fermentation and contains no avian-derived components, which reduces the risk of an allergic reaction related to avian proteins and removes the need to screen for egg, feather, or poultry sensitivities before knee pain treatment [3][4]. In a busy clinic that screening step is not just a safety measure but a scheduling one, since an unresolved allergy history can delay a first injection by a full appointment cycle.

Market Availability — Ordering ORTHOVISC® Online

ORTHOVISC® is available in the United States under its PMA approval and in international markets where the device holds equivalent clearance [3]. Availability varies by jurisdiction, so practitioners sourcing outside the US should confirm regional device registration before ordering.

Medical Spa Rx supplies ORTHOVISC® to licensed practitioners through secure checkout with add-to-cart ordering. When buying online, single units and bulk quantities are both available, and shipping is arranged directly to the practice address on the verified account. Practices ordering for the first time should allow for account verification before the initial order ships.

Where to Buy ORTHOVISC® Wholesale — What to Order

ORTHOVISC® shots are built around one clearly defined treatment format. Each syringe of ORTHOVISC® 30 mg/2 mL contains 2 mL of sterile sodium hyaluronate solution at 15 mg/mL, and a complete treatment cycle comprises three to four consecutive weekly intra-articular injections into the affected knee, distributing a cumulative HA dose across the course to progressively restore synovial fluid viscoelasticity [3][4]. A single format means the ORTHOVISC® treatment cycle consists of the same syringe every session, so scheduling and dosing stay predictable across a multi-patient clinic. There is no strength selection to make and no packaging variant to track.

Practitioners wanting a different injection schedule within the same Anika Therapeutics formulation family can consider MONOVISC®, which delivers an equivalent HA dose as a single intra-articular injection. Both share the same bacterial fermentation-sourced sodium hyaluronate platform, so choosing between a staged multi-injection course and a single-visit format does not mean changing the underlying material.

The non-avian, bacterially fermented HA source suits a broad patient population, including those with avian sensitivities. Clinical studies have demonstrated statistically significant improvements in WOMAC pain scores and patient global assessments among patients with mild to moderate knee OA who completed the full injection series [1][2].

ORTHOVISC® dosage is fixed at one syringe per session, so the ordering question is course count rather than strength. Licensed practitioners can purchase ORTHOVISC® online in individual units or bulk quantities, and should check for wholesale buying options and volume-tier pricing by contacting the procurement team or logging in to an existing account.

The Technology Behind ORTHOVISC® — Ultra-High Molecular Weight HA Explained

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan and a primary structural component of healthy synovial fluid. Within the joint it works as a lubricant and shock absorber at once, reducing friction between articulating surfaces while dampening mechanical loads transmitted through the knee during weight-bearing activity. In osteoarthritis, the concentration and molecular weight of endogenous HA both decline, degrading the rheological properties that protect the joint and contributing to the pain and stiffness characteristic of the condition [4].

For practitioners asking what ORTHOVISC® is made of, the product contains sodium hyaluronate produced through bacterial fermentation, dissolved in physiological saline, with no avian-derived components [3][4]. The ORTHOVISC® treatment procedure involves a series of intra-articular injections administered by a qualified health care professional, with each injection restoring viscoelastic properties within the knee and supporting improved joint function.

ORTHOVISC® is not a steroid. It contains no corticosteroid compounds and is classified as a purified hyaluronic acid medical device. Its therapeutic effect comes from mechanical and biological support of the joint environment rather than from modulating inflammation through hormonal pathways, which is worth explaining at consultation to patients arriving from a corticosteroid course and expecting the same onset.

At Medical Spa Rx, we stock hyaluronic acid across orthopedic and aesthetic applications, and practitioners who buy hyaluronic acid dermal fillers work with the same molecule under different specifications.

Concentration, cross-linking, and molecular weight are tuned to different ends in each setting, but the sourcing and handling questions overlap considerably. Clinics running both service lines can buy dermal fillers on the same account.

About the Manufacturer — Anika Therapeutics

Anika Therapeutics is a US-based medical technology company headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, with a commercial and research focus on joint preservation and regenerative medicine. Its viscosupplementation portfolio spans ORTHOVISC®, MONOVISC®, and CINGAL®, products sharing the same proprietary non-avian HA manufacturing platform while serving different clinical protocols and patient profiles [5].

The ORTHOVISC® manufacturer’s investment across multiple injection formats is reflected in the approval record: FDA approval was supported by data from two prospective randomized controlled trials, OAK9501 and OAK2001 [3].

Knee Osteoarthritis — Patient Selection and Treatment Indications

ORTHOVISC® injection is indicated for treating pain in knee OA specifically, in patients who have not responded adequately to conservative nonpharmacologic therapy and to simple analgesics such as acetaminophen [3][4]. It is not indicated for joints other than the knee per its approved labeling, and Medicare coverage applies only to knee OA.

The typical candidate presents with symptomatic knee OA characterized by pain, joint stiffness, and mobility limitations persisting despite first-line management, including physical therapy, activity modification, and over-the-counter analgesics. Viscosupplementation is also considered for patients who are surgical candidates but want to delay or avoid knee replacement. The pivotal ORTHOVISC® trials enrolled patients with mild to severe OA, with the strongest evidence of efficacy in the moderate range [1].

Licensed practitioners looking to buy orthopedic injections for knee OA management can add ORTHOVISC® to a Medical Spa Rx order alongside other viscosupplements in the catalog.

ORTHOVISC® Injection Administration — Protocol and Post-Injection Guidance

ORTHOVISC® is administered as an intra-articular injection into the knee joint under aseptic conditions by a clinician trained in accepted injection technique. On how ORTHOVISC® is administered, the standard course is three to four consecutive weekly injections, each delivering the full contents of a 2 mL syringe into one knee. Bilateral treatment requires a separate syringe for each knee at every session [4].

Before each injection, existing joint effusion should be aspirated. Skin preparation should not use disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium salts, since these cause hyaluronic acid precipitation. Patients should avoid strenuous or prolonged weight-bearing activity for 48 hours following each injection [4].

How Long It Takes for ORTHOVISC® to Work

Controlled trial data indicate that some patients experience relief after the first injection in the series, though clinical benefit typically accumulates across the full treatment course and may continue developing in the weeks that follow [1][2]. Individual response varies with OA severity and patient-specific factors. Practitioners who consult ORTHOVISC® injection reviews will find that reported experience varies widely for exactly that reason, and the controlled data give the more reliable picture.

ORTHOVISC® Shots Safety Profile — Side Effects and Contraindications

Across controlled clinical trials, ORTHOVISC® demonstrated a well-tolerated safety profile with a low incidence of treatment-related adverse events. In the pivotal ORTHOVISC® Study Group trial, the injection-site reaction rate was 1.2% in the active treatment group against 1.5% in the saline control group, with no statistically significant difference between arms [2]. ORTHOVISC® side effects most commonly reported are transient pain, swelling, and warmth at the injection site, typically short-lived and self-resolving. On how long ORTHOVISC® side effects last, these injection-site reactions generally resolve within a few days of each injection [4].

Intra-articular sodium hyaluronate injections have occasionally been associated with allergic or anaphylactic-type reactions, which have generally resolved spontaneously or with conservative management [4]. Contraindications include known hypersensitivity to hyaluronate preparations and active joint infection or skin disease at the proposed injection site. Practitioners should note that the product labeling addresses hypersensitivity considerations directly, and the current IFU should be consulted for the full contraindication list rather than relying on the non-avian source alone. Quaternary ammonium salt-containing disinfectants should not be used for skin preparation. Transient increases in local joint inflammation following treatment have been reported and warrant clinical monitoring. Review the full ORTHOVISC® IFU before administering treatment [4].

ORTHOVISC® Regulatory Status and Coverage

ORTHOVISC® received Premarket Approval from the FDA under PMA P030019, with a subsequent supplement S009 reflecting its updated bacterial fermentation manufacturing process [3]. It is classified as a Class III medical device, the FDA category applied to devices that sustain or support human life or present a potential unreasonable risk of injury.  The approved indication is treatment of pain associated with knee osteoarthritis in patients who have not responded adequately to conservative nonpharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics.

Does Medicare Cover ORTHOVISC® Injections

Part B may cover intra-articular HA injections for knee OA under applicable Local Coverage Determinations, subject to use of an FDA-approved treatment at labeled dosing and documentation of inadequate response to prior conservative treatment. Coverage does not extend to non-knee joints or to inflammatory arthropathies such as rheumatoid arthritis. ORTHOVISC® injection cost to the patient depends on medical necessity documentation and individual policy requirements as much as on acquisition price. Verify current LCD criteria and each patient’s benefits before treatment.

Comparing ORTHOVISC® to Other Viscosupplementation Products

ORTHOVISC® vs EUFLEXXA®

Clinics that already buy EUFLEXXA® are working with another non-avian, bacterially fermented HA, so avian screening is not a factor either way. The molecular weight comparison is less clear-cut than it is often presented: EUFLEXXA®’s nominal range of 2.4 to 3.6 million Daltons overlaps with and extends above ORTHOVISC®’s 1.0 to 2.9 million Daltons [3][4]. The practical distinctions sit in rheological profile and schedule rather than in a straightforward high-versus-low MW contrast.

ORTHOVISC® vs MONOVISC®

The MONOVISC® vs ORTHOVISC® choice usually comes down to visit count rather than material. Both use the same Anika Therapeutics hyaluronic acid platform, but ORTHOVISC® is administered over three to four visits where MONOVISC® consists of one injection. Practices managing patients who prefer fewer clinic appointments can buy MONOVISC® from the same catalog.

ORTHOVISC® vs SYNVISC®

Manufacturing is where ORTHOVISC® vs SYNVISC® divides. SYNVISC® is avian-derived and cross-linked; ORTHOVISC® is non-avian and non-cross-linked, which means SYNVISC® should not be used in patients with avian protein sensitivities [1][2]. Practitioners who stock both and buy SYNVISC® for its cross-linked profile will find that current research has not identified either product as consistently more effective across all patients.

ORTHOVISC® vs HYALGAN®

HYALGAN® is avian-derived sodium hyaluronate administered over five consecutive weekly injections, a longer course than ORTHOVISC®’s three to four [1][2]. Its avian source requires pre-treatment allergy screening that ORTHOVISC® does not, and its molecular weight falls below ORTHOVISC®’s range. Injection burden and source material both point the same way here, which is not true of every comparison on this page. Clinics carrying both can buy HYALGAN® through Medical Spa Rx.

ORTHOVISC® vs SUPARTZ®

SUPARTZ® is avian-derived sodium hyaluronate typically given over five weekly injections. Against that, ORTHOVISC® knee injection offers a non-avian source, a shorter cycle, and a higher MW ceiling [1][2]. Practices that buy SUPARTZ® alongside it are usually maintaining an avian option for patients with established response rather than treating the two as interchangeable.

FAQs

What is ORTHOVISC® used for?

ORTHOVISC® is used for viscosupplementation in symptomatic knee OA, restoring synovial fluid lubrication and shock-absorbing function in patients whose pain has not been adequately managed through conservative therapy and simple analgesics [3]. It is not indicated for non-knee joints.

What is ORTHOVISC® made of?

ORTHOVISC® is composed of ultra-high MW sodium hyaluronate derived from bacterial fermentation, dissolved in physiological saline [3][4]. It contains no avian-derived components, which makes it suitable for patients with avian sensitivities.

Is ORTHOVISC® a steroid?

No. ORTHOVISC® is a high-MW HA medical device with no corticosteroid content. Its action within the joint is mechanical and biological, restoring lubrication and cushioning rather than acting hormonally.

How is ORTHOVISC® administered?

ORTHOVISC® is delivered as three to four weekly intra-articular knee injections by a trained clinician [4]. Joint effusion should be aspirated before each injection, and patients should avoid strenuous or prolonged weight-bearing activity for 48 hours after each session.

How long does it take for ORTHOVISC® to work?

Relief may begin after the first injection in the series, though full clinical benefit typically accumulates over the course of treatment and may continue developing in the weeks that follow [1][2]. Individual response varies with OA severity and patient-specific factors.

Is ORTHOVISC® a one-time injection?

No. The ORTHOVISC® treatment cycle consists of three to four weekly intra-articular injections. Practitioners seeking a single-injection format from the same manufacturer may consider MONOVISC®.

ORTHOVISC® vs MONOVISC® — which format suits my practice?

Both are manufactured by Anika Therapeutics and contain the same ultra-high molecular weight sodium hyaluronate. The difference is the ORTHOVISC® dosage schedule: three to four injections against MONOVISC®’s single injection, depending on the treatment plan and patient preference.

How does ORTHOVISC® compare to SYNVISC® and HYALGAN®?

ORTHOVISC® is an ultra-high MW non-avian HA given over three to four weekly injections. SYNVISC® is a cross-linked hylan G-F 20 derived from avian tissue. HYALGAN® is avian-derived sodium hyaluronate given over five weekly injections [1][2][3]. All three are viscosupplementation options differing in molecular weight profile, tissue source, cross-linking status, and injection schedule.

Trying to buy ORTHOVISC® products online?

Medical Spa Rx offers licensed practitioners a secure, verified route to buy ORTHOVISC® wholesale or in individual quantities. Use the add-to-cart flow on product pages, choose between single-unit and bulk ordering, and complete the purchase through our encrypted checkout. A verified health care professional can order ORTHOVISC® wholesale with shipping to the practice address, and all purchases are processed in accordance with applicable regulations and prescribing requirements. Contact our team for account setup or volume-pricing inquiries.

Resources

1. Neustadt D, Caldwell J, Bell M, Wade J, Gimbel J. Clinical effects of intraarticular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronan (Orthovisc) in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial. Journal of Rheumatology. 2005;32(10):1928–1936. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16206349/
2. Brandt KD, Block JA, Michalski JP, Moreland LW, Caldwell JR, Lavin PT. Efficacy and safety of intraarticular sodium hyaluronate in knee osteoarthritis. ORTHOVISC Study Group. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2001;(385):130–143. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11302304/
3. S. Food and Drug Administration. Premarket Approval (PMA) P030019 Supplement S009 for ORTHOVISC. FDA. Updated 06/29/2026. www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpma/pma.cfm?ID=P030019S009
4. S. Food and Drug Administration. ORTHOVISC High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan: Patient Information / Instructions for Use. FDA. www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf3/p030019d.pdf
5. Anika Therapeutics, Inc. Orthovisc for Knee OA Pain Relief. www.anika.com/products/oapm/orthovisc/

The page and all of its displayed contents are for medical professionals, designed to inform only, and not as a replacement for medical advice.

Related brands to ORTHOVISC®

CINGAL®

CRESPINE®

DUROLANE®

EUFLEXXA®

HYALGAN®