Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee who used at least 800 mg/day of chondroitin sulfate achieved significant reductions in the likelihood of needing a total knee replacement (TKR) after six months, according to results of a large observational study from Spain. In a review of 122,633 patients from the SIDIAP database in the Catalonia region of Spain, the study included anyone diagnosed with OA of the knee (but no other site) between 2006 and 2011. Researchers found that use of chondroitin sulfate for at least six months led to a 13 percent reduction in TKR, and consistent use for a year was associated with a 23 percent reduction. While data is in favor of the supplement being beneficial for knee OA, its difficult to apply the results of studies using pharmaceutical-grade chondroitin sulfate in Europe to patients in the United States who use nutraceutical supplements.
To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid subscriber.
Sign in
