Glucosamine, chondroitin, and manganese ascorbate for degenerative joint disease of the knee or low back: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study

Objective: A 16-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of a combination of glucosamine HCl (1,500 mg/day), chondroitin sulf ate (1,200 mg/day), and manganese ascorbate (228 mg/day) in degenerative jo int disease (DJD) of the knee or low back was conducted. Methods: Thirty-fo ur males from the U.S. Navy diving and special warfare community with chron ic pain and radiographic DJD of the knee or low back were randomized. A sum mary disease score incorporated results of pain and functional questionnair es, physical examination scores, and running times. Changes were presented as a percentage of the patient's average score. Results: Knee osteoarthriti s symptoms were relieved as demonstrated by the summary disease score (-16. 3%; p = 0.05), patient assessment of treatment effect (p = 0.02), visual an alog scale for pain recorded at clinic visits (-26.6%; p = 0.05) and in a d iary (-28.6%; p = 0.02), and physical examination score (-43.3%; p = 0.01). Running times did not change. The study neither demonstrated, nor excluded , a benefit for spinal DJP), Side effect frequency was similar to that at b aseline. There were no hematologic effects. Conclusions: The combination th erapy relieves symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, A larger data set is needed to determine the value of this therapy for spinal DJD, Short-term combinat ion therapy appears safe in this setting.