ORTHOVISC® is a viscous (thick) sterile mixture made from highly purified hyaluronan from rooster combs. Hyaluronan is a natural chemical found in the body. High amounts of hyaluronan are found in the joint tissues and in the fluid that fills the joints. The body's own hyaluronan acts like a lubricant and a shock absorber in the joint. It is needed for the joint to work properly.ORTHOVISC® is given in an injection directly into the knee joint. Indicated as a viscoelastic supplement or a replacement for synovial fluid in human joints. It is well suited for treatment of the symptoms of human synovial joint dysfunctions, such as osteoarthritis.