Surin on Knee Pain and Synvisc-One^®, A Therapy for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

MONTREAL, June 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Sanofi Canada and Olympic sprinter Bruny Surin are teaming up to spotlight the impact of knee pain with a unique public awareness education tool; a high tech simulator that mimics the pain and loss of mobility associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. The event took place today at Place Ville Marie in downtown Montreal, with an enthusiastic and engaged audience.

Experts estimate that three million Canadians suffer from osteoarthritisⁱ.  Often people who suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee cope by taking over-the-counter or prescription pain pills - and, in Surin's case, may even be forced to avoid activities and hobbies they love.

"I've always trained hard and about three years ago, I developed very sharp pain in my left knee, which made it impossible for me to run.  Even walking was very painful and I could not believe how much the pain slowed me down," says Surin. "Until you experience the pain of osteoarthritis, you just don't understand how hard it is to cope with. Now that I know what it is and how to manage it, I have a plan that works and I want to help other people get off the sidelines this summer."

That's why Surin teamed up with Sanofi Canada to debut the Sanofi Synvisc-One^® Simulator, a high tech, electronic device that simulates the pain and loss of mobility that people who live with osteoarthritis of the knee face every day.  The simulator was created by Canadian bio-tech firm Bionik Labs as a teaching and awareness tool.

Surin Seeks the Best Solutions to Manage His Health

Surin was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the left knee by Dr. Pierre Ranger, Orthopedic Surgeon (knee specialist), Associate Professor at the University of Montreal and Medical Director at Centre de Médecine Sportive de Laval, who has been treating Surin for more than 20 years. He manages the pain with a combination of a healthy diet, low-impact exercise and twice annual Synvisc-One^® injections to cushion and lubricate the knee joint providing pain relief over 6 months.

Surin said that before his diagnosis, he experienced so much pain that he was afraid that surgery might be his only option, but was relieved to learn that there were other less invasive treatments available.  "Dr. Ranger surprised me by suggesting an injection," recalls Surin who now gets two annual Synvisc-One^® injections to manage pain and help protect his knee from further damage.  "I'm a healthy, active guy, so I like to manage my health in the simplest way possible.  Synvisc-One^® really works for me and I can train and enjoy my life again."

While there's been much buzz about supplementation and steroids, Dr. Ranger says that not enough attention has been paid to visco-supplementation, such as Synvisc-One^®, which is a non-invasive injectable for the knee that lubricates and cushions joints to relieve pain and improve mobility and range of motion.

"By the time we hit 35 or 40 years old, most of us will have some wear and tear in our knees, which can develop into osteoarthritis of the knee, a painful condition. It's important to find the right treatment for you, along a healthy diet and exercise, to help combat osteoarthritis," explains Dr. Ranger.

Visit the newly launched Synvisc-One^® website at www.synviscone.ca to learn more about osteoarthritis of the knee, Synvisc-One^® and to find a doctor near you.

About Sanofi

Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs.  Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme.  Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). Sanofi companies in Canada include Sanofi Canada (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (health and beauty), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health).  Together they employ more than 1,700 people across the country.  In 2011, Sanofi companies invested $151.7 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country.

About Synvisc-One^®

Synvisc-One^® (hylan G-F 20) is a visco-supplement injection for osteoarthritis of the kneeⁱⁱ.  Made from a substance that lubricates and cushions your joint, Synvisc-One^® can provide knee pain relief and improved mobility over 6 months, with just one simple injectionⁱⁱ.  Synvisc-One^® is only intended for intra-articular use by a physician to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee².  Visit www.synviscone.ca to learn more, take an online knee pain assessment test and find a sports medicine clinic near you.

Synvisc^®/Synvisc-One^® (hylan G-F 20) is for intra-articular injection to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. Synvisc^®/Synvisc-One^® contains small amounts of avian protein and should not be used in patients with related hypersensitivities. Adverse events involving the injected knee after intra-articular injections of Synvisc^®/Synvisc-One^® may include: transient pain and/or swelling and/or effusion. The post marketing experience has identified the following systemic events to occur rarely with Synvisc^®/Synvisc-One^® administration: rash, hives, itching, fever, nausea, headache, dizziness, chills, muscle cramps, paresthesia, peripheral oedema, malaise, respiratory difficulties, flushing and facial swelling. If venous or lymphatic stasis is present, Synvisc^®/Synvisc-One^® should not be injected into the knee. Synvisc^®/Synvisc-One^® should not be used in infected or inflamed knees or in patients having skin diseases or infections in the area of the injection site.

ⁱ The Arthritis Society. Osteoarthritis - Know Your Options. 11. Brochure accessed online at www.arthritis.ca [03/12/2013].

ⁱⁱ SYNVISC®/Synvisc-One® Product Monographs, Genzyme Canada Inc., July 18, 2008/March 2, 2009.

Image with caption: "Olympic sprinter Bruny Surin coaches Montrealers on maintaining good knee health at a public awareness event in Place Ville Marie today. (Photo courtesy: Synviscone.ca) (CNW Group/SANOFI CANADA)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130606_C5537_PHOTO_EN_27649.jpg

Image with caption: "Olympic sprinter Bruny Surin takes the Sanofi Synvisc-One Osteoarthritis Simulator for a spin. The high tech knee brace mimics the pain and loss of motion associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. (Photo courtesy: Synviscone.ca) (CNW Group/SANOFI CANADA)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130606_C5537_PHOTO_EN_27651.jpg

SOURCE: SANOFI CANADA