Arthritis and Glucosamine
Know what you have and learn the truth about glucosamine
It is very interesting in all the years I have answered questions on my WebMD Message Board that there is often a missing component to many questions. This is the failure to appreciate that a diagnosis needs to be made.
It sounds simple doesn't it? But it often escapes patients I meet as a second opinion in the office or on the Web. Here is how it goes:
Patient: I came to see you because the joint replacement placed by Dr. X is not doing well.
Dr. K.: I am sorry to hear that. When was your surgery done?
Patient: 2 years ago.
Dr. K: What did your surgeon tell you what is wrong?
Patient: He told me it failed and needed to be replaced.
Dr. K.: What failed?
Patient: He didn't tell me.
Dr. K: Why did it fail?
Patient: He said he doesn't know?
Dr. K: Did he give you at least a few ideas as to why it failed?
Patient: No.
Obviously, this is a simplified version but is happens more than enough times. The appraoch to any problem that occurs in surgery is to make a diagnosis.
1. What failed
2. What are the consequences of this failure (pain?- loss of function?)
3. What are the causes of the failure.
WHAT IS THE DIAGNOSIS!!!
The most basic approach to medicine is making a diagnosis. An important review of this was posted on WebMD. It was written by Jeanie Lerche Davis and reviewed by Charlotte Grayson, MD
The only problem with this excellent review is the following statement:
"Alternative supplements. In recent years, several studies have shown that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can help relieve pain from osteoarthritis. In addition, research has shown that these supplements, particularly glucosamine, can slow, or even stop, progression of osteoarthritis. Most research has been done on knee osteoarthritis, but experts suspect that other joints would benefit as well. "
This statement is clearly not supported by evidenced-based medicine. The articles in respected journals- I repeat- respected journals- consistenty show no statistical significance in using glucosamine over placebo. Words like- "there is a tendency" and "there is optimism" are used but that is not science.
This does not mean that someday there will be neutraceutical answers to arthritis. It also does not mean that some people on a case by case basis get help but:
1. Glucosamine has no proven affect over placebo. End discussion.
2. Gucosamine does not and has never shown that it can stop the progression of arthritis.
3. Glucosamine DOES NOT build cartilage.
You can keep on buying it at Wal-Mart. A Playstation would do more to exercise your fingers.
Dr. K.
Related Topics: Alternative Ways to Easing Arthritis Pain, Arthritis Diet Claims: Fact or Fiction?
It is very interesting in all the years I have answered questions on my WebMD Message Board that there is often a missing component to many questions. This is the failure to appreciate that a diagnosis needs to be made.
It sounds simple doesn't it? But it often escapes patients I meet as a second opinion in the office or on the Web. Here is how it goes:
Patient: I came to see you because the joint replacement placed by Dr. X is not doing well.
Dr. K.: I am sorry to hear that. When was your surgery done?
Patient: 2 years ago.
Dr. K: What did your surgeon tell you what is wrong?
Patient: He told me it failed and needed to be replaced.
Dr. K.: What failed?
Patient: He didn't tell me.
Dr. K: Why did it fail?
Patient: He said he doesn't know?
Dr. K: Did he give you at least a few ideas as to why it failed?
Patient: No.
Obviously, this is a simplified version but is happens more than enough times. The appraoch to any problem that occurs in surgery is to make a diagnosis.
1. What failed
2. What are the consequences of this failure (pain?- loss of function?)
3. What are the causes of the failure.
WHAT IS THE DIAGNOSIS!!!
The most basic approach to medicine is making a diagnosis. An important review of this was posted on WebMD. It was written by Jeanie Lerche Davis and reviewed by Charlotte Grayson, MD
The only problem with this excellent review is the following statement:
"Alternative supplements. In recent years, several studies have shown that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can help relieve pain from osteoarthritis. In addition, research has shown that these supplements, particularly glucosamine, can slow, or even stop, progression of osteoarthritis. Most research has been done on knee osteoarthritis, but experts suspect that other joints would benefit as well. "
This statement is clearly not supported by evidenced-based medicine. The articles in respected journals- I repeat- respected journals- consistenty show no statistical significance in using glucosamine over placebo. Words like- "there is a tendency" and "there is optimism" are used but that is not science.
This does not mean that someday there will be neutraceutical answers to arthritis. It also does not mean that some people on a case by case basis get help but:
1. Glucosamine has no proven affect over placebo. End discussion.
2. Gucosamine does not and has never shown that it can stop the progression of arthritis.
3. Glucosamine DOES NOT build cartilage.
You can keep on buying it at Wal-Mart. A Playstation would do more to exercise your fingers.
Dr. K.
Related Topics: Alternative Ways to Easing Arthritis Pain, Arthritis Diet Claims: Fact or Fiction?
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9 Comments:
I was given synvisc in my right knee one year and in the left knee the next.(1998) My family Dr. said I should also try using glucosamine with cronditin . I have done that. On rare ocassions I feel a little pain in one of the knees, just the way I may twist or something. But I have no lasting pain in either of my knees and no problem walking. The synvisc is supposed to help for 6 months. Well, mine has lasted more than 6 years.
My synvisc injections did not work at all, but were required by my insurance before they would consider paying for a TKR. I tried glucosimine when the first reports came out. After 3 months of no change, I decided I had better uses for my money.
Jeanie: Keep the stories coming. ow are you doing these days? Hope you are well. I haven't been to dances since New Years; haven't gone to Atlanta area much.
Hope to hear from you,
Chuck
I had severe pain in both my knees and was hardly able to climb down a small flight of stairs. Someone suggested taking Glucosamine and I was skeptical. Then I thought, why not. A lady at the drug store noticed I was buying Glucosamine and said it worked for her. I have been using it for the past 2 years and it has shown remarkable results. I still have bit of a pain climbing down the stairs but nowhere like before. Highly recommended.
One doctor says this, and another one refutes its. So let me end this argument about glucosamine once and for all! My wife and I are not only competitive ice skaters who have trained at the Olympic Center, avid martial artists and thru hikers of the Appalachian trail. I was hit head on by a car in 1983 and lost the use of my legs for almost two years. Every single doctor I went to including the specialist preached that there was no evidence supporting the use of glucosamine. I followed the advice of every specialist, and when nothing worked I finally gave in and started taking glucosamine sulphate. I quit listening to experts who gave nothing but excuses. Within 1 year I was back walking, competing in ice sports and completed the AT for the second time with little or no pain. My wife has had two shoulder operations, two knee surgeries, and one elbow surgery. I have also had rotator cuff surgery. Glucosamine sulphate absolutely works and I don't care what those experts say. I find it comical that when they can't help you, they ALL give in and say "that the practice of medicine isn't an exact science. So what do you have to lose?
After experiencing severe pain in my left knee, which I broke in a skating accident when I was a teenager, I tried Glucosamine with cronditin. When I take it on a regular basis, my knee does not hurt at all or "pop" when I walk. My father is a retired physician, and he takes it for arthritis in his knees, etc. He walkes 6 miles a day and feels great and believes the glucosamine is helping tremendously.
i'm a 54 yr old ex-OR nurse. EX because my knees could no longer tolerate the body mechanics of transporting patients to the OR alone, crawling on the floor looking for needles etc. i had several cortisone injections that lead to deterioration of both knees. i quit in 2001 and over the years my knees got worse to the point of injuring my shoulder from lifting myself out of bed, on and off the toilet. 2 weeks ago i started a series of 3 injections of synvisc. as bad off as my knees are, i had almost immediate relief. the swelling is gone and i can use them to lift myself up and down from a seated position. i told everyone i have "new" knees! i'm very satisfied.
i tried glucosamine twice. i had no 'relief', but when i stopped taking it, my aches and pains were much WORSE!!!!
RN orthopedics for 30 years....joint replacement is wonderful but is also a business! Try supplements before committing to surgery. They may work for some but not others....doctors are invested in pharmaceuticals and surgery MAKES $$$$....I have used Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM supplement with good relief of knee pain. The Synvisc works for some and not others....If one product or pharmaceutical worked for all then there would be no need to create a competing product....There is variety in pharmaceuticals for a reason....but do give the supplements a try first. Doctors (surgeons) hate the idea of losing money from a patient taking a supplement and would rather replace your knee or hip instead. MONEY TALKS! Face it folks...surgeions ARE SALESMEN selling their product....SURGERY! Try the supplement first...20 dollars versus thousands for total joint replacement is a no brainer! Choose wisely!
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