For more information about these cookies and the data collected, please refer to our web privacy statement. Navigation follows, skip to content? Utility navigation follows, skip to content? July 11, Joint Health. A series of investigations on the effects of glucosamine sulfate supplementation by oral route showed even more promising results. Several short-term studies found significant reductions in joint pain, analgesic use and improvements of joint function with 0. However, those given glucosamine sulfate " The results of short-term oral GAG supplementation are even more dramatic than long-term injectable GAG treatment for several reasons: consistently high blood and cartilage levels of GAGs are possible with oral administration, rather than cyclic injectable administration; side effects are nonexistent with oral GAG administration; higher doses of GAGs can be maintained orally.
Thus it is no surprise to find that oral GAG supplementation achieved results much faster than injectable GAG treatment. Antioxidants as Chondroprotectors One recent theory of osteoarthritis causation is based on free radical formation in joints as the trigger for disease progression.
Because of the slow metabolism of chondrocytes, both injury and repair take months or years to become fully evident. This free radical mechanism of arthritis indicates quite logically that antioxidants may prevent or reverse formation of arthritic symptoms.
At Tufts University in Boston, guinea pigs were fed a normal or high intake of vitamin C before, during and after surgery to induce knee osteoarthritis.
At Konstanz University in Hannover, West Germany, 50 subjects were given either a placebo or IU of d-alpha tocopherol acetate daily for six weeks in a double-blind study. Functional improvements were noted, but had not reached significance when the study ended. In vitro investigations have also shown that vitamin E can inhibit effects of degradative enzymes in cartilage. Combinations of antioxidants have yet to be investigated, and longer experimental periods are needed to confirm the effectiveness of antioxidants as chondroprotective agents, but the hypothetical and preliminary evidence is strongly suggestive that antioxidants are potent chondroprotective agents.
Nutrient Combination and Low Back Pain One recent report examined the effects of several nutritional supplements on chronic low back pain in a chiropractic setting. Improvements in strength, range of motion and pain were greatest in the combination group, and moderate in the chondroitin sulfate group, but minimal in the control and manganese sulfate groups.
Summary Osteoarthritis can be reversible by chondroprotective agents if the following conditions are met: cartilage remains intact over joint surfaces; subchondral bone is intact; lifestyle changes to reduce pressure on affected joint are followed; analgesic use is kept to a minimum or ideally, not used; enough time is given to properly evaluate effects, and; consistent, daily supplementation of chondroprotective nutrients is accompanied by a diet providing all essential nutrients.
One important variable not considered here is the use of analgesics, most of which impair synthesis of cartilage components. Thus, a growing body of clinical evidence, along with a vast literature on hypothetical mechanisms, supports the long-term use of chondroprotective nutrients GAGs and antioxidants for cessation or reversal of osteoarthritis, and possibly other degenerative joint diseases. Although results may or may not be noticeable within a month, lack of side effects and ability to attack the cause of arthritis are prime reasons to consider their use in routine clinical settings.
References: Hamerman, D. The biology of osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med ; 20 Mankin, H. Biochemical and metabolic aspects of osteoarthritis.
Orthop Clin N Am ;2 1 Brandt, K. Pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Reimann, I. Observations of reversibility of glycosaminoglycan depletion in articular cartilage. Clin Orthop ; Radin, E. Hypothesis: joints can heal. Sem Arth Rheum ;13 3 Bland, J.
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With the introduction of biologic medications such as Humira, Remicade, and Enbrel, patients with inflammatory arthritis have seen dramatic improvements. In fact, in our hip and knee joint reconstruction practice, we now rarely see inflammatory arthritis patients progressing to the need for joint replacement without also having osteoarthritis. When that time comes, I am grateful that here in Rhode Island we have a talented and dedicated team of professionals in our Total Joint Center , providing an outstanding level of surgical care to our patients.
Based on the verified outcomes databases in which we participate, the outcomes of our joint replacement patients are equal to or better than benchmarks set at orthopedic centers and large specialty hospitals across the country. Living a healthy, active lifestyle is the best way to prevent many medical conditions.
But due to the demands of our jobs, modern life, and family history, over time most of us will likely suffer from some degree of osteoarthritis at some point in our lives.
The good news is that we have many effective treatments and most are non-surgical. Common sense changes that we can all make include:. Some patients, however, do tell me that supplements are working for them. In those instances, I suggest that although not FDA-approved, it is rare to hear of patients being harmed by these supplements.
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