What is glucosamine? And why did my doc recommend it?

[Northern_Piper]

I’ve got either a touch of arthritis in my knee, or possibly a cartilage issue. My doc recommended glucosamine tablets, but didn’t really explain why.

Anyone able to cast light on it? Thanks.

[running_coach]

It actually helps rebuild cartilage.
Glucosamine.

[PatriotGrrrl]

It’s a common supplement - lots of athletes take it, as well as people recovering from injuries.

[Michael63129]

@runner pat

It actually helps rebuild cartilage.
Glucosamine.

Reading that, it sounds like it isn’t actually that effective:

When the data from both groups was pooled and analyzed, there was no statistically significant difference between groups taking glucosamine HCl, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine/chondroitin; and those taking a placebo…

…The authors of the study analyzed the moderate-to-severe pain group and found that: …We did not identify significant benefits associated with the use of glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate alone…

…In a follow-up study, 572 patients from the GAIT trial continued their supplementation for 2 years. After 2 years of supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, alone or in combination, there was no benefit in slowing the loss of cartilage, in terms of joint space width, when compared to a placebo.[17] In another 2-year follow-up study involving 662 patients from the GAIT trial, there was neither significant pain reduction nor improved function when comparing glucosamine and/or chondroitin to a placebo.

[Obnoxious_Hood_Ornament]

My doctor suggested it has anti-inflammatory properties. I’ve been taking it daily for five or six years for my knees, and I can attest to it having some measure of effectiveness. I want to phrase this carefully so as not to suggest it’s some sort of wonder drug. Should I forget to take it for 2-3 days, which happens all too often due to my horrible short-term memory, my knees will remind me.

Most of the people I know with serious knee injuries claim that it hasn’t helped them.

[Northern_Piper]

thanks for the comments everyone. (and, Obnoxious Hood Ornament, welcome to the SDMB - love the user-name!)