Effectiveness of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate for Osteoarthritis

Conventional medicine does not yet have a proven treatment to stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis.

The nutritional supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have emerged as a treatment alternative for some patients suffering from osteoarthritis pain.

See Osteoarthritis Complete Treatment Guide

Perhaps the most important aspect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements is that they are thought to help slow or prevent the degeneration of joint cartilage, the underlying cause of osteoarthritis pain. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate dietary supplements may also help alleviate existing joint pain. Presently, it is thought that unlike many medications available to treat arthritis pain and inflammation, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements have very few side effects.

However, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate nutritional supplements do not offer the desired pain relief for all osteoarthritis patients. At the time of this article, the benefits and risks of taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have not been definitively proven, and long term studies are needed to better understand their effects.

Osteoarthritis and Joint Degeneration

Osteoarthritis: Inflammation, Pain and Treatment Video

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage on the ends of the joints wears down and the exposed bones rub together. This degenerative process causes excess friction in the joints, which leads to loss of motion, stiffness and joint pain. Osteoarthritis is more common among middle-aged and older individuals. Symptoms can range from mild to very severe pain in the back, neck, hands, hips, knees, and/or feet.

When degenerative osteoarthritis occurs in the back, it is usually referred to as facet joint osteoarthritis (because it affects the facet joints in the spine).

See Osteoarthritis of the Spine

When occurring in the neck, it is usually called cervical osteoarthritis.

See Cervical (Neck) Arthritis

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Dietary Supplements

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are naturally found in connective tissues in the human body, such as those covering the ends of bones in the joints. Glucosamine is extracted from animal tissues such as crab, lobster, or shrimp shells, while chondroitin sulfate is found in animal cartilage such as tracheas or shark cartilage.¹ They are commonly taken as dietary supplements (also known as nutritional supplements).

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are believed to impact the cartilage degeneration process of osteoarthritis in the following ways:

• Glucosamine sulfate is thought to help with cartilage formation and repair.¹ Some laboratory tests show that glucosamine sulfate may help protect joint cartilage by limiting breakdown and helping to build up levels of cartilage.² Glucosamine hydrochloride, another form of glucosamine, is considered to be equally effective as the sulfate form. It is absorbed more easily by the body and can be taken in lower dosages with the same effectiveness as glucosamine sulfate.
• Chondroitin sulfate is part of a protein molecule that helps give cartilage its elastic properties and is thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help to reduce the painful swelling in the joints that occurs when the exposed bones in the joint rub together.³ In addition, chondroitin sulfate may also help slow the breakdown of cartilage and help restore cartilage growth to better cushion the joints.³

Combining Nutritional Supplements With Other Treatments

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may not provide sufficient pain relief for all osteoarthritis patients. Many patients find it is best to use glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate nutritional supplements in conjunction with other nonsurgical treatments (under the guidance of their treating physician), such as:

• Pain medication that has anti-inflammatory properties, such as ibuprofen, COX-2 inhibitors, naproxen, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Acetaminophen may also be helpful for relief of joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. Taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate nutritional supplements may reduce some patients' need for anti-inflammatory or pain medications, while others may continue to take other medications for pain relief. However, patients taking daily aspirin therapy should avoid taking chondroitin sulfate supplements, as it may contribute to bleeding.
• Gentle stretching exercises can help maintain flexibility and range of motion as well as reduce stiffness in the muscles and joints. Engaging in gentle physical activity may also help maintain overall back health even after a flare-up of osteoarthritis pain is relieved.
• Water therapy (specific exercises performed in a pool) can help patients with severe osteoarthritis pain. Pool therapy allows the joints to be unweighted by the water, which may be less painful than other types of exercise. Another gentle form of exercise is using an elliptical machine or a stationary exercise bike, which provide forms of aerobic exercise that are low-impact on the joints.
• Traction for cervical osteoarthritis and/or manual manipulations (e.g. chiropractic or osteopathic) can help to control the chronic pain and other symptoms of osteoarthritis, as well as provide relief from severe episodes of pain. Patients considering traction should always work with a physician to ensure correct and safe use of the traction devices, as improper application of traction can be detrimental.

Additional non-medical approaches (e.g. acupuncture, yoga or Tai Chi, instrument assisted soft tissue techniques such as Active Release Technique (ART), Graston Technique (GT), muscle energy techniques, proprioceptive neuromuscular rehabilitation (PNF), Nimmo method, massage, and others) may also be effective for some patients.

Sometimes rest or weight loss may be recommended for certain patients in order to reduce stress on the joints. Some patients may also require a short period of rest and medication to reduce joint inflammation before they begin to exercise.

The proper course of treatment will differ for each patient and should be supervised by a health professional.

Surgery for Osteoarthritis

In rare cases, spine fusion surgery may be required to treat severe osteoarthritis pain. However, fusion surgery is generally not optimal, because osteoarthritis usually affects multiple vertebral levels, and multilevel fusions are generally not advisable.

See Effectiveness of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate for Osteoarthritis