Three kinds of arthritis may affect the knee, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Osteoarthritis, the most common type, often accompanies aging as the cartilage in the knee wears down with use. Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common type, is an inflammatory immune disorder that affects not only fingers, knees, feet and other joints but the whole system. Post-traumatic arthritis is caused by joint injuries. Supplements may help ease the symptoms of arthritis in the knee. Use them under your doctor's supervision.
Herbal Supplements
The "Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine" lists several herbal supplements that may help relieve the symptoms of arthritis in the knee. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory compounds known as gingerols. Devil's claw, a member of the sesame family, is widely used in Europe for arthritis pain. Cat's claw, named for its hooked thorns, is an Amazonian herb that has been used medicinally since the time of the Inca civilization. Use herbal supplements under the supervision of a qualified health care professional.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are substances that are naturally present in cartilage. They are often combined into a single dietary supplement. A large multicenter clinical trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health tested the short-term effects of these substances in arthritis of the knee. In a group of study participants with moderate-to-severe knee pain, the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin resulted in statistically significant pain relief. However, for the majority of participants, glucosamine and chondroitin was no better than placebo. Talk to your physician before adding glucosamine and chondroitin to your daily regimen.
Fish Oil
A 2010 article by Michael James and colleagues from South Australia's Royal Adelaide Hospital states that fish oil may be useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Controlled clinical trials indicated that patients who took fish oil showed a reduction in joint tenderness and a decrease in the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which have been associated with liver damage. Fish oil is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, vital nutrients that play an important role in cellular health.
Vitamin C
The authors of a study published in the 2007 Issue 4 of "Arthritis Research and Therapy" used magnetic resonance imaging to assess the knees of 293 healthy adults 10 years after recording their baseline consumption of antioxidant vitamins. The knees of patients who consumed more vitamin C showed fewer of the anatomical signs that portend the development of knee arthritis, suggesting that vitamin C may decrease the risk of developing this condition. While these results are promising, more research is necessary before vitamin C can be widely recommended for arthritis prevention.
References
- "Arthritis Research and Therapy"; Effect of Antioxidants on Knee Cartilage and Bone in Healthy, Middle Aged Subjects: a Cross-Sectional Study; Y. Wang et al; July 2007
- "Proceedings of the Nutrition Society"; Fish Oil and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Past, Present and Future; M. James et al; Aug. 2010
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Questions and Answers: NIH Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial Primary Study
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Arthritis of the Knee
- "Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine"; Brent Bauer; 2010
