Arthritis Pain | Knee Problems – Do Glucosamine And Chondroitin Help?

March 10th, 2010 by Zandra Jones, RN BBA

Many people suffer from knee pain. In fact a quarter of people over 55 had significant problems with knee pain in the past year. The problem is usually osteoarthritis, which causes a breakdown of cartilage and adversely affects the underlying bone too. Unfortunately there is no cure, and knee replacement is very major surgery!

German researchers have shown that applying blood sucking leeches to the knee helps with symptoms, but somehow I doubt leech therapy will catch on for several reasons! Many more people, millions actually, take the supplements glucosamine and chondroitin.

Glucosamine is made from shellfish and chondroitin is made from cow cartilage and are ready available, but do they work? Many people report they help, but most studies have been small and often supported by people with vested interests.

A recent National Institutes of Health study showed they don’t do much for most sufferers. They found that there was no difference between taking glucosamine and chondroitin or a placebo. Of course one study doesn’t prove anything as studies often contradict each other but the results were interesting. Further analysis of the data showed some benefit for people with severe cases.

And many people claim that these supplements are effective for them. Is this just the placebo effect? Perhaps but perhaps not. Fortunately my knees, although far from perfect, are not too bad. If they were, I would consider taking glucosamine and chondroitin to see if they work for me, and of course there are other ways to handle pain symptoms, include medicines like Tylenol, cortisone injections, and capsaicim cream applied to your knees. Of course, if you have problems, certainly consult your doctor.

Harry writes on health and home issues. See his latest at wire closet organizer and Hanging Closet Organizer.

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