Ask The Doctors: 08/07

A 2006 study, the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), evaluated the effectiveness of glucosamine for pain relief in hip and knee osteoarthritis. The study turned up largely negative results-most participants experienced no pain relief compared to placebo, though a subsequent analysis suggested that patients with moderate to severe pain did experience some relief. We are awaiting further data from this trial to determine whether glucosamine slows cartilage loss.