Shiela Robison, MSPT, is a physical therapist and owner of Reach for Performance, Inc. She has been practicing musculoskeletal therapy and orthopedics in the Tidewater area for more than ten years.

Second Opinion by Shiela Robison, MSPT Published: July 2006 Q: For several months I’ve been taking a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement for my arthritis, but I still get painful flare-ups. Do these supplements really work? What else can I do to ease the pain? A: In hopes of reducing symptoms and staving off the need for more invasive treatments such as joint replacement surgeries, arthritis sufferers (such as yourself) often take the popular supplements glucosamine and chondroitin. However, recent reports in scientific and medical literature now offer conflicting results as to the effectiveness of these two substances. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are found in normal cartilage, and they are the nutritional building blocks for maximizing the cushioning between the bones in a joint. If your diet lacks proper nutrition, or if your metabolism doesn’t allow synthesis of these compounds, you’ll be more likely to see results from taking a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement. In studies, glucosamine was found to have effects similar to ibuprofen on joint pain and exhibited potential for reducing blood clots. Glucosamine was shown to affect blood sugar, which may be a consideration for diabetic patients. But glucosamine and chondroitin have very few, if any, adverse side effects. Both substances can be synthetically manufactured in a lab; chondroitin can be extracted from shark or cow cartilage, while glucosamine (also called chitosamine) can be produced from shellfish. Either supplement, depending on its source, may trigger allergic reactions in some people. The maximum effects of either supplement are generally expected after three months of treatment. Dosage amounts and product purity are important, and therefore a physician should supervise usage of the supplements based on an individuals needs. Because individual outcomes are determined by a person’s metabolic process, it’s imperative that these supplements be taken at the recommended dosage on a regular basis. If after three months of treatment you are still uncertain about a supplement’s usefulness, discontinue treatment for three months. Then try it again; after an additional three-month trial treatment, you’ll know whether the supplement is beneficial for you. If you don’t believe a supplement is especially effective because it produced few noticeable side effects, you may still want to continue taking it. Glucosamine and chondroitin may be expensive, but they are not harmful. Other conservative treatments for pro-inflammatory conditions such as arthritis include flaxseed oil and other plant-based derivatives, which are available in many forms. Because your joints are mechanical in nature, also pay attention to your body’s alignment. Measure the loading forces you place on your joints and keep track of any patterns of joint pain and treatments used. Joint lubrication is essential for joint nutrition, and the only way to improve lubrication is to increase movement of your joints. Depending on which joint is inflamed, and how severe the condition is, you’ll want to consult a doctor, physical therapist or other health professional about your condition. You may also want to consult a joint specialist for further advice.

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