Can glucosamine supplements protect my knee cartilage from osteoarthritis?

Answer From Brent A. Bauer, M.D.

Study results on this question have been mixed, with some suggesting possible benefit and some showing no benefit on cartilage protection.

Glucosamine is one of the substances in your body that is used to build cartilage. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. When you have osteoarthritis, the slick cartilage that covers the ends of your bones and helps joints move smoothly wears away.

Study results have been varied, partly because not all the studies have used the same type of glucosamine. And not all the studies included a placebo comparison, or ensured that neither the patient nor the researchers knew which pill was being administered.

That said, glucosamine is relatively inexpensive and safe. If other treatments aren't helping, you might want to talk to your doctor about whether a trial of glucosamine is right for you. It may take several months before you see any pain relief.

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March 12, 2020 See more Expert Answers

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  3. Bone spurs
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  7. Elbow replacement surgery
  8. Glucosamine: Does it affect blood sugar?
  9. Golf and Wrist Pain
  10. Heel spurs: Do they always cause pain?
  11. Hip replacement
  12. Hip resurfacing: An alternative to conventional hip replacement?
  13. Hip Surgery Overview
  14. Hockey Coach Gets Hip
  15. Knee replacement
  16. MRI
  17. Opioids and arthritis
  18. Osteoarthritis
  19. Outpatient joint replacement
  20. Pain Management
  21. Partial shoulder replacement
  22. Robotic-Arm Assisted Knee Resurfacing
  23. Seeing inside the heart with MRI
  24. Shoulder replacement surgery
  25. Simple tips for staying active and mobile with osteoarthritis
  26. Cane tips
  27. Stem Cells Get Hip
  28. Stickler syndrome
  29. Symptom Checker
  30. Tai chi
  31. Tailbone pain
  32. Integrative approaches to treating pain
  33. Nutrition and pain
  34. Pain rehabilitation
  35. Self-care approaches to treating pain
  36. Thumb Reconstruction
  37. Total shoulder replacement options
  38. MRI
  39. Tai chi
  40. Wrist pain
  41. X-ray