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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Feb. 22, 2022 See more Expert Answers

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  7. Elbow replacement surgery
  8. Golf and Wrist Pain
  9. Hip replacement
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  11. Hip Surgery Overview
  12. Hockey Coach Gets Hip
  13. Knee replacement
  14. MRI
  15. Osteoarthritis
  16. Outpatient joint replacement
  17. Pain Management
  18. Partial shoulder replacement
  19. Robotic-arm assisted knee resurfacing
  20. Seeing inside the heart with MRI
  21. Shoulder replacement surgery
  22. Cane tips
  23. Stem Cells Get Hip
  24. Stickler syndrome
  25. Symptom Checker
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  27. Integrative approaches to treating pain
  28. Nutrition and pain
  29. Pain rehabilitation
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  31. Thumb Reconstruction
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  33. MRI
  34. Tai chi
  35. Wrist pain
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