Medical Evidence
Double-Blind Clinical Evaluation of
Intra-Articular Glucosamine in Outpatients with Gonarthrosis (knee
arthritis) Yongyudh Vajaradul, Department of Orthopedic
Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University,
Bangkok, Thailand
Abstract: Fifty-four outpatients
with gonarthrosis participated in a double-blind clinical test
with the aim of evaluating the efficacy and tolerance of intra-articular
glucosamine in comparison with a 0.9% NaCl placebo. Each patient
had one intra-articular injection per week for five consecutive
weeks.
Pain, active and passive mobility of the joint, swelling, and
generalized and local intolerance symptoms were recorded before
beginning the treatment, and four weeks after the last injection.
Results: Glucosamine reduced
pain to a significantly greater extent than did placebo, and resulted
in significantly more pain-free patients. The angle of joint flexion
substantially increased after glucosamine treatment. Active mobility
increased with both treatments, with a more favorable trend after
glucosamine administration. Knee swelling did not decrease significantly
after glucosamine, whereas it worsened (although not significantly)
after placebo. There were no local or general intolerance symptoms
during and after treatment. Glucosamine administration was able
to accelerate the recovery of arthrosic patients, with no resulting
side effects, and to partially restore articular function. In
addition, the clinical recovery did not fade after treatment ended,
but lasted for the following month, at least. These features are
a definite improvement over antirheumatic drugs, the major drawbacks
of which are action of short duration and side effects. Glucosamine
therapy therefore deserves a selected place in the management
of osteoarthrosis.
Source: Clinical Therapeutics/Vol.
3, No. 5, 1981
Dr. Theo's Comments: This
study, using injectable glucosamine versus a placebo injection,
shows that glucosamine significantly improved pain and tenderness
in patients with arthritis of the knee.
