W.A.K.E. Up & Flexx: Gloria Gaynor Encourages Women to 'W.A.K.E. Up' to Knee Osteoarthritis

PARSIPANNY, N.J., May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GRAMMY® Award winner and the national spokesperson for EUFLEXXA® (1 percent sodium hyaluronate) , Gloria Gaynor has partnered with Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. to launch a five-part exercise video series that encourages people with pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee to maintain healthy, active lifestyles.

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Ms. Gaynor, known for her hit record and tale of personal strength "I Will Survive," was diagnosed with knee OA in 1984.  Following her diagnosis, it became Ms. Gaynor's mission to raise awareness about the disease, the impact on women and the importance of appropriate treatment options to help manage pain.  

Nearly 27 million people are affected by OA of the knee and approximately 60 percent of those sufferers are women.  Additionally, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, women older than 50 years of age are more likely to develop OA of the knee than men.(1,2)

"My osteoarthritis knee pain began as an inconvenience and grew until it affected my ability to be active," said Gaynor.  "I am thrilled about hosting the W.A.K.E. Up & Flexx exercise video series as each exercise is a simple and convenient way to help improve strength and mobility of the knee and that's definitely something to sing about."

For those suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee, inactivity may actually reduce joint function and result in more pain.  According to Dr. Dennis Marshall, Executive Director, Medical Affairs at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc., “Increasingly,  physicians are now recommending mild to moderate physical activity to increase joint mobility. It is important that patients take an active role in the management of their knee osteoarthritis and get moving, while also consulting their physician about their individual exercise regimen.”  The W.A.K.E. Up & Flexx series provides simple, targeted exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles and ligaments and help keep the knee supported.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is also announcing the launch of its new EUFLEXXA® website where the W.A.K.E. Up & Flexx exercise video series is housed.  The refreshed Euflexxa.com will serve as a patient and professional resource with many new features including a new design, simple user navigation, knee OA education materials,  and healthy living tips among others.

For more information about the five-part exercise video series and the W.A.K.E. Up & Flexx Campaign, please visit Euflexxa.com.

About W.A.K.E. Up & Flexx Campaign

W.A.K.E. Up & Flexx (Women's Arthritic Knee Education), is a national public awareness campaign sponsored by Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. to help address the disproportionately high number of women impacted by knee osteoarthritis.  The campaign encourages women who suffer from osteoarthritis knee pain to speak with their physicians about their treatment options and steps to help maintain healthy, active lifestyles.

About EUFLEXXA® (1 percent sodium hyaluronate)

EUFLEXXA® is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis.  It is used in people who do not get enough relief from simple pain medications such as acetaminophen or from exercise and physical therapy.

Important Safety Information

You should not receive this product if you have had any previous allergic reaction to EUFLEXXA® or hyaluronan products. You should not have an injection into the knee if you have a knee joint infection or if you have skin disease or infection around the injection site.

EUFLEXXA® is only for injection into the knee performed by a qualified doctor. After you receive this injection you may need to avoid activities such as jogging, tennis, heavy lifting or standing on your feet for a long time (more than one hour). The safety and effectiveness of repeat treatment cycles of EUFLEXXA® have not been established. The safety and effectiveness of EUFLEXXA® have not been shown in people under 18 years of age.

Side effects sometimes seen when EUFLEXXA® is injected into the knee joint were pain, swelling, skin irritation, and tenderness and these were generally mild and did not last long.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a subsidiary of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company. Ferring Pharmaceuticals offers a line of products in the U.S. market. They include: BRAVELLE® (urofollitropin for injection, purified), MENOPUR® (menotropins for injection, USP) and REPRONEX® (menotropins for injection, USP), Novarel® (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP), ENDOMETRIN® (progesterone) Vaginal Insert, 100 mg, LYSTEDA™ (tranexamic acid tablets), FIRMAGON® (degarelix for injection), PROSED® DS (methenamine, phenyl salicylate, methylene blue, benzoic acid, hyoscyamine sulfate), and EUFLEXXA® (1 percent sodium hyaluronate).

Ferring Pharmaceuticals specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, urology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, obstetrics/gynecology, and infertility. For more information, call 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464) or visit www.FerringUSA.com.

(1) American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2007). Frequently Asked Questions about Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Retrieved Mar. 8, 2011, from, http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00228

(2) Arthritis Foundation. (2011). Arthritis in Women. Retrieved Mar. 8, 2011, from, http://www.arthritis.org/women.php

SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.