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Glucosamine for Relief of Knee Arthritis Pain

May 25, 2011 | By Kimberly Riggins

Arthritis in the knee is also known as osteoarthritis, which is the general wear and tear on a joint. Osteoarthritis is usually found in the knee, finger or hip joints and is thought to be caused by aging. Treatment for this condition generally involves non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and herbal remedies such as glucosamine to help ease the pain. Although there are contradictory studies on whether on not glucosamine relieves pain, it has been proven to slow down the degradation of the joints.

About Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, or OA, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, is the most common joint disorder. When the cartilage, which is the body's rubbery connective tissue that cushions the bones, breaks down, it allows the bones to rub together, causing serious inflammation, stiffness and pain. It may also cause bone spurs, which can exacerbate the problem. Symptoms associated with osteoarthritis include aches and pain around the joint, redness, swelling and stiffness. These symptoms appear to get worse after physical activity. Doctors often recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, physical therapy and herbal remedies such as chondroitin or glucosamine.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is a compound that is naturally found in the synovial fluid surrounding the body's joints. It is essential for building joint cartilage. Since it can not be obtained through food, glucosamine must be taken as a dietary supplement. Glucosamine can be found as glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride or n-acetyl glucosamine. It can be used in tablet, capsule and powder form. It is also commonly found with another compound known as chondroitin. Glucosamine appears to have the ability to decrease pain associated with osteoarthritis, slow down degradation of the joints and keep osteoarthritis from getting worse. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests using glucosamine consistently for at least four to eight weeks before expecting results, because it needs to build up in the body.

Scientific Evidence

There has been extensive research done on glucosamine and osteoarthritis. Most of the studies have found insufficient evidence to prove that glucosamine relieves the pain of osteoarthritis, but there are some studies that show glucosamine can slow down the damage arthritis causes to the joints and prevent it from getting worse. In a study published in the March 2010 issue of "Life Sciences," clinicians found that glucosamine hydrochloride has a protective effect by inhibiting the degradation of articular cartilage and promoting cartilage cell metabolism. Six months later, in the September issue of "Osteoarthritis and Cartilage," researchers proved that using glucosamine sulfate significantly lowered the degree of cartilage degeneration. In another study published in the March 2011 issue of "Arthritis Research and Therapy," glucosamine hydrochloride was proved to inhibit bone erosion, bone spur formation and the loss of glycosaminoglycans -- compounds essential to maintaining connective tissue associated with joints and cartilage.

Precautions

Glucosamine is considered to be a safe substance, but before using it, a doctor should be consulted. Minor side effects may include soft stools, upset stomach, nausea and diarrhea. If shellfish allergies are present, glucosamine should be avoided since most of the dietary forms of glucosamine are derived from the shells of shellfish. Diabetics should not take glucosamine because it can cause insulin fluctuations. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use glucosamine because there is little evidence on how it affects a fetus or infant. Glucosamine may increase the effect of prescription medications, so a pharmacist should be consulted.

References

Article reviewed by Elizabeth Last updated on: May 25, 2011

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