The Role of Glucosamine Chondrotin Sulfate in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of Knee

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) currently seems
inevitable and unavoidable for a large swath of the
population .its etiology relates to a strong ,but
complex ,non mendelian genetic basis ,combined
with mechanical and metabolic factors that cause
molecular alterations the end results of which
affect the whole joint .Glucosamine and
chondrotin sulfate alone or in combination may be
of benefit to a subgroup of individuals who have
knee pain due to OA.
Glucosamine has been shown to alter cartiage turn
over in patients with OA undergoing physical
training
Aim of the study: To find the validity of
glucosamine chondrotin sulfate in treatment of
grade 1 and 2 OA.
Methods: the sample of 280 patients (418 knee)
were divided in to two groups , group A (132
patient) treated by classical methods by
glucosamine chondrotin sulfate for one year. For
both groups different parameters were used
including pain stiffness effusion crepitus and genu
varum and different radiological findings and we
used MRI for evaluation pre and post treatment
Result: Female/ male ratio was 2.89 the highest
age group was ( 60-69) year regarding the clinical
presentation of patients the commonest clinical
presentation were pain and stiffness and the MRI
finding including bone marrow edema shows good
indicator for response to treatment .
Conclusion: Pain ,stiffness and crepitus were
common presentation of OARelief of pain
andstiffness were related to decrease of effusion
and bone marrow edema which is the result of
using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with
glucosamine chondroitin sulfate more than when
non steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs alone.