- Glucosamine & Chondroitin
The impact of taking glucosamine and chondroitin being studied, but is not well understood. As stated previously, osteoarthritis is thought to be due to a problem of new cartilage not being formed sufficiently to replace old cartilage being degraded. Glucosamine and chondroitin are some of the "building blocks" of cartilage, and some people believe that taking these supplements may help create more cartilage.There has been a great degree of enthusiasm, primarily in the form of media and advertising, for this treatment, but there is very little research to support claims of an 'arthritis cure.' The general consensus of the medical profession at this time is that there may be an effect of taking these supplements, but it is not well understood. They are known to be safe and may have some utility in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
- Synvisc
Synvisc is a substance called hyaluronic acid, a protein that is secreted by cartilage cells. This substance is secreted into the joint, and helps give your joint fluid a slippery, or viscous, quality. By injecting this substance into the knee, some people believe you are replacing this vital component of joint fluid.Long-term studies have yet to show any clear benefit of Synvisc, however many patients believe in its effects. What has been shown, is that patients who are treated with Synvisc are more likely to have more time until a knee replacement is needed, meaning Synvisc is useful in delaying surgical treatment of osteoarthritis. Because of problems with performing knee replacement surgery in younger patients, this is potentially a great benefit.
For patients who are seeking alternative treatment or other newer techniques for the treatment of osteoarthritis, I would encourage you to read throught the following resources:
The images in this article were generously provided by Medical Multimedia Group, Inc.
