Complete Gel Injection Brand Comparison Guide

What’s Inside This Guide

This comprehensive reference guide gives you everything you need to understand your knee gel injection options and have an informed conversation with your doctor.

Quick Reference Contents:

1. Complete 15-Brand Comparison Table - All FDA-approved brands at a glance
2. Single-Shot vs Multi-Shot Decision Tree - Find your best fit
3. Allergy Safety Quick Reference - Which brands are safe if you have bird/egg allergies
4. Insurance Coverage Checklist - Navigate step therapy and prior authorization
5. Questions to Ask Your Doctor - Get the most from your appointment
6. Cost Worksheet - Estimate your out-of-pocket expenses

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Section 1: Complete Brand Comparison Table

Brand	Manufacturer	Injections	Source	Allergy Safe	Insurance Status	Cost Range
Synvisc-One	Sanofi	1 (single)	Avian	No	Often Preferred	$800-$1,200
Monovisc	DePuy/J&J	1 (single)	Avian	No	Variable	$700-$1,100
Durolane	Bioventus	1 (single)	Non-avian	Yes	Variable	$900-$1,300
Gel-One	Zimmer Biomet	1 (single)	Avian	No	Variable	$700-$1,000
Hymovis	Fidia	2 weekly	Non-avian	Yes	Variable	$600-$900
Euflexxa	Ferring	3 weekly	Non-avian	Yes	Often Preferred	$600-$900
Gelsyn-3	Bioventus	3 weekly	Non-avian	Yes	Step Therapy	$500-$800
SynoJoynt	Bioventus	3 weekly	Non-avian	Yes	Step Therapy	$500-$750
Orthovisc	DePuy/J&J	3-4 weekly	Avian	No	Typically Covered	$600-$900
Triluron	Bioventus	3 weekly	Non-avian	Yes	Step Therapy	$400-$700
TriVisc	OrthoPharma	3 weekly	Non-avian	Yes	Step Therapy	$400-$650
Visco-3	OrthoPharma	3 weekly	Non-avian	Yes	Step Therapy	$400-$650
Supartz FX	Bioventus	5 weekly	Avian	No	Typically Covered	$600-$1,000
Hyalgan	Fidia	3-5 weekly	Avian	No	Typically Covered	$500-$900
GenVisc 850	OrthoPharma	5 weekly	Non-avian	Yes	Step Therapy	$500-$800

Key:

• Allergy Safe = Non-avian (biofermented) source, safe for bird/egg allergies
• Often Preferred = Insurance often covers without prior requirements
• Step Therapy = May need to try this brand first before others
• Variable = Coverage depends on your specific insurance plan

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Section 2: Single-Shot vs Multi-Shot Decision Tree

Start Here: How many office visits can you make?

Only 1 visit works for my schedule: → Single-injection options:

• Have bird/egg allergy? → Durolane (only allergy-safe single-shot)
• No allergies? → Synvisc-One (most prescribed), Monovisc, or Gel-One

2-3 visits is manageable: → 2-3 injection options:

• Have bird/egg allergy? → Euflexxa, Gelsyn-3, Hymovis
• No allergies? → Orthovisc (high molecular weight)

5 visits is okay: → 5-injection options:

• Have bird/egg allergy? → GenVisc 850
• No allergies? → Supartz FX (most studied) or Hyalgan (pioneer brand)

Research Note:

Some meta-analyses suggest 2-4 injection regimens may slightly outperform single-shots for certain patients. However, single-shots remain effective for many. Discuss with your doctor what’s best for your specific situation.

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Section 3: Allergy Safety Quick Reference

SAFE for Bird/Egg Allergies (Biofermented/Non-Avian):

Brand	Injections	Best For
Durolane	1	Single-shot convenience
Hymovis	2	Middle-ground option
Euflexxa	3	Most prescribed allergy-safe brand
Gelsyn-3	3	Budget-friendly
SynoJoynt	3	Budget-friendly
Triluron	3	Lowest cost
TriVisc	3	Lowest cost
Visco-3	3	Lowest cost
GenVisc 850	5	Gradual dosing

AVOID if You Have Bird/Egg Allergies (Avian-Derived):

• Synvisc-One
• Monovisc
• Gel-One
• Orthovisc
• Supartz FX
• Hyalgan

Important: Always tell your doctor about any allergies to birds, feathers, or eggs before treatment.

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Section 4: Insurance Coverage Checklist

Before Your Appointment:

• Call your insurance company and ask:

  • “Is viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid knee injections) covered?”
  • “Do I need prior authorization?”
  • “Is there a step therapy requirement?”
  • “Which brands are preferred on my formulary?”

• Get your policy’s requirements in writing

• Ask about your out-of-pocket:

  • What’s my deductible status?
  • What’s my coinsurance percentage?
  • Is there a facility fee for in-office procedures?

Medicare Part B Coverage:

Medicare covers viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis when medically necessary.

• You’ve had conservative treatment (PT, medications) for 6+ weeks
• You have documented knee osteoarthritis (X-ray)
• Treatment is for the knee (hip/shoulder are off-label)
• Provider accepts Medicare assignment

Typical Medicare costs:

• Annual Part B deductible (2025): $257
• Coinsurance: 20% of Medicare-approved amount
• Estimated out-of-pocket: $75-$300 per treatment

Step Therapy Tips:

If your insurance requires step therapy:

1. Ask which brand you must try first (often Triluron, TriVisc, Gelsyn-3)
2. Document that you tried it - keep records
3. If it doesn’t work, you can request your preferred brand
4. Exception requests may be approved with documented medical necessity

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Section 5: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

At Your Consultation:

About Your Candidacy:

1. “Based on my X-rays, am I a good candidate for gel injections?”
2. “What’s my arthritis severity grade, and how does that affect outcomes?”
3. “Have you tried conservative treatments that might help first?”

About the Procedure: 4. “Do you use imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or ultrasound) for the injection?” 5. “Which brand do you recommend for me, and why?” 6. “How many injections are in the series?”

About Expectations: 7. “What results have your patients typically experienced?” 8. “How long before I’ll know if it’s working?” 9. “Can I repeat the treatment if it works?”

About Logistics: 10. “Will your office handle prior authorization?” 11. “What will my out-of-pocket cost be?” 12. “Are there any restrictions on activities after the injection?”

Special Situation Questions:

If you have allergies:

• “I have a bird/egg allergy. Which brands are safe for me?”

If cost is a concern:

• “Which brands are preferred by my insurance?”
• “Are there any patient assistance programs?”

If you’ve had cortisone before:

• “My cortisone shots are wearing off faster. Is that normal?”
• “Can gel injections work better for longer-term relief?”

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Section 6: Cost Worksheet

Estimate Your Out-of-Pocket Costs:

Step 1: Brand Cost (Self-Pay)

Brand	Self-Pay Range	Your Estimate
Single-shot brands	$700-$1,300	$_______
3-shot brands	$400-$900	$_______
5-shot brands	$500-$1,000	$_______

Step 2: Your Insurance Adjustment

Coverage Type	Your Responsibility
Medicare Part B	~20% after deductible
Commercial Insurance	Copay or coinsurance
Medicaid	Often $0
Self-Pay	100%

Your estimated cost after insurance: $_______

Step 3: Add Facility/Office Fees

• Office visit copay: $_______
• Facility fee (if applicable): $_______

Step 4: Total Estimated Cost

• Your estimated total: $_______

Ways to Reduce Costs:

• Ask about step therapy brands (often lowest cost)
• Check for patient assistance programs
• Ask if your doctor offers payment plans
• Compare in-office vs ambulatory surgery center fees
• Time treatment after meeting your annual deductible

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How to Use This Guide

1. Review the comparison table to understand your options
2. Use the decision tree to narrow down candidates
3. Check allergy safety if you have bird/egg allergies
4. Complete the insurance checklist before your appointment
5. Bring the questions list to your doctor consultation
6. Fill out the cost worksheet to plan financially

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Important Disclaimer

This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Your actual candidacy, brand selection, and treatment plan should be determined by a qualified healthcare provider who can examine you, review your imaging, and consider your complete medical history.

Costs are estimates based on 2025 data and vary by location, provider, and insurance plan.

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Questions? Visit JointPainAuthority.com for more detailed information on each brand.