So much for those knee supplements -- probably

Don't go stocking up on glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate just yet. The supplements, often taken by people suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee, don't appear to slow cartilage loss.

Of course, if you think they help -- and a lot of people do -- don't go tossing them out just yet either. In a new study, people taking the supplements had about the same amount of cartilage loss as those taking a placebo, but those in the placebo group had a slower rate of loss than expected overall. All of which makes irrefutable statements problematic.

Researchers at the University of Utah and elsewhere looked at a subset of patients involved in a larger study known as GAIT (Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Invervention Trial). That larger study focused on the supplements' effects on pain relief, finding that they were no more effective than a placebo -- except (naturally) among a subset of patients that did experience pain relief.

This smaller study analyzed only structural damage within the knee, comparing results in people taking glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, a combination of the two, celecoxib (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) or a placebo.

The effect of these various substances on the distance between the ends of the knee's joint bones? Pretty much the same.

"While we found a trend toward improvement among those with moderate osteoarthritis of the knee in those taking glucosamine, we were not able to draw any definitive conclusions," said lead investigator Dr. Allen D. Sawitzke in a news release.

The study, funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, is published in the October issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.

It comes on the heels of a study finding that arthroscopic surgery wasn't too great for knee osteoarthritis either.

Not to worry, there are a variety of knee-pain therapy options, writes Health writer Jeannine Stein: Arthroscopic surgery not the only answer for knees. Keep trying until you find one that works, she says.

Added Dr. Josephine P. Briggs, director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, of the new study: "The results of the study provide important insights for future research."

Ah, yes, future research. Stay tuned.

-- Tami Dennis

Photo: Long-distance running can take a toll on the knees; so too can repetitive stress, injuries and carrying around excess weight. Here, runners take part Sunday in the Berlin Marathon.

Credit: Michael Sohn / Associated Press

Comments

[Maria]

This article is terribly written. It shoots down multiple options for knee pain relief, then claims there are plenty of other options, but does not mention a single one? Oh come on.

[bonnie]

After having four arthroscopic surgeries on the same knee, i had total knee replacement surgery in May 2007. My doctors wanted me to wait until I was 60 (7 years away). I told them I would be in a wheelchair in 7 years. My quality of life was diminished due to constant pain and discomfort. I took the glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements, had to have fluid drained off my knee every week and even took the injections to promote cartilage growth, none of it helped. All of this was due to osteoarthritis of the knee. I had the surgery and now have no knee pain or discomfort. It was by far, the best decision I have ever made!

[Beeps]

I have old trouble with my knees as weel. One doctor wanted a repalcement. The second said hey let's work with the knee. He gave me this Sentex medicine like a lube for the knews and WOW I am doing so very well now. It has been three months and my movement is so much better. Please try something else before you let them cut you.

[sir jorge]

I have no idea what to do with all this info. I used to take the supplement, but this article says don't throw it out yet, but don't rely on it either? I'll just keep taking the multivitamin.

[James]

Wow! More worthless tax-subsidized research contradicting earlier tax-subsidized research. From my own personal research, I conclude I can walk without pain when taking glucosamine/chrondroitin supplements and I can't walk without pain when I stop taking them. Since I've repeated this experiment at least a dozen times with the same results, feel free draw your own conclusion--especially since I'd much prefer not taking the supplements..

[Claudio]

I've had arthroscopic surgery on my knee and while it has not made my knee perfect again, I can at least now walk without extreme discomfort and a cane.

I can also sleep at night and not be awakened by what used to feel like a knife in my knee.

My surgery was 2 years ago, and I'm glad I had it done.

I look at these studies with much scepticism.

[TuckBodi]

I've had knee pain the past few years skiing and a friend suggested I take glucosamine. At the start of the season last year my knees were aching so I heeded his advice. About a month after starting the pills my knee pain was virtually gone. So much so I even stopped using my knee braces. Don't tell me glucosamine doesn't work....

[PS]

Information digested and spit out in unusable form.

Ten years ago I was told I was too young for knee replacement even though I had severe pain. I was put in braces for 2.5 years, and I've been taking the glucosamine and chondriotin. I have no pain for the last 5 years, but I have some disability. I'll take the disability because I know how bad arthritis pain can be. Who knows if the pills really helped, but I'm not giving them up.

[teri]

I used to have terrible knee pain, tried many prescriptions from the Dr. Vioxx included. Nothing ever helped until I took glucosamine, it saved me and I am only in my 30's. Of course the Dr's don't want it to work for people

[jt]

Glucosamine works. Big Pharma is scared of cheap effective supplements, and will continue to publish junk science like this that flies in the face of tons of anecdotal experiences.

[S. L Scheff]

It is a pity that the article indicates glucosamine does work for arithis of the knee and not mention that it is very valuable in controlling lesser problems. The article made it seem useless because of one specific problem.

[Eliza]

It's also a pity that the photo included with the article seems to imply that running and osteoarthritis of the knee are related.

[Jim Julian]

I'm a 65 year old runner who runs 5-6 times a week on a very hilly route. About a year ago my knees started bothering me to the extent that I had to curtail my running, sometimes skipping several days.

A Physicians Assistant at my doctors office suggested I give glucosamine a try. I started taking Costco's house brand of glucosamine and chondroitin. Within two months my knees were painless. Now almost everyday my 65 year old body runs up those hills on 20 year old knees.

Fro some people ... it works!

[Wasoon, Trainer]

KNEE PAIN - I am now 62, and had my cartilage removed after I tore it when I was 28. About 50 I could not bend my knee totally and went back for the less-invasive orthoscopic surgery to clean-out the particulates that were restricting it's motion - well worth it! I took G/C religously and thought it was great - however, now I do believe it was only a placebo. I am a trainer and do a lot of biking (limited impact) - my knees are OK and range-of-motion is good. I quit G/C for I feel I was wasting my money. SKIING - for the skier in an earlier message - I have been skiing since I was 20, and am fairly proficient - do yourself a favor and explore LATERAL MOTION - throwing your knees sideways to initialize your turn. This takes the anterior stress off of the knees. Find a SKIER'S EDGE machine and practice this. I wore a brace also - trash it - it restricts your movement and digs into your leg - it held me back for a few years.

[Peggy Smith]

My question? Can glucosamine sulfate with MSM keep me from having knee surgery
when my knees are bone on bone?