Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is a leading cause of physical disability, increased health care usage and impaired quality of life.  An estimated 12 percent of the U.S. population age 25 years and older, or nearly 27 million people, have clinical signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.

      Nonsteroidal anti-infalmmatory drugs, or Nsaids, are commonly used to treat osteoarthritis and have been proven effective, but they are associated with some significant potential side-effects, especially in the elderly population.  There, therefore, remains an urgent need for finding therapies for osteoarthritis that are both effective and relatively safe.  In this regard, the nurtraceuticals Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate have attracted substantial attention by the public and in the medical literature.

      Glucosamine is hexosamine sugar and a basic building block for the manufacture of the proteins that are important constituents of the articular cartilage.  Chondroitin plays a similar role.  Both of these are derived from animal products.  The mechanism of action of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in the treatment of osteoarthritis is not known, but both compounds have anti-inflammatory activities and both compounds have been found to favorably affect cartilage metabolism in the test tube.  Also, antiarthritic effects have been demonstrated for both Glocosamine and Chondroitin in animal models.

      Preliminary evidence shows that both Glucosamine and Chondroitin may favorably modify the x-ray progression of osteoarthritis, and there are several trials in the medical literature now that show both Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate are likely to be effective therapy for the symptomatic management of osteoarthritis.  In other words, they help reduce the pain and swelling and promote activity with less discomfort.

      We do support the use of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate in our patients with osteoarthritis, but we want you to know that the relative purity and content of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in different preparations made by different manufacturers may vary and as a result the relative efficacy of the various preparations may also vary.  We do not recommend any specific brands, but we do recommend that you buy this nutritional supplementation from a reputable pharmacy or pharmaceutical supply house.  The usual dosage of the medication is either 500 or 600 mg. of Glocosamine Sulfate and 400 or 500 mg. of Chondroitin Sulfate, two tablets a day, one in the morning and one in the evening taken for at least 60 days to determine if it will have any significant effect in relieving symptoms of arthritis such as stiffness, swelling and pain.

      It is our impression thus far that this medication does not work for everyone, but in those of our patients who have taken it that it has helped.  They feel it has been roughly equivalent to the use of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatories but without the potential side effects.

      I hope this information is helpful to you.

OTHER ARTICLES
Total Joint Replacement Patients