As an orthopedic surgeon sub-specializing in hip and
knee joint replacement, I became frustrated with the
medications available for the treatment of arthritis. One of
seven surgeons at the Hendersonville Orthopedic
Associates caring for people in Henderson and
Transylvania Counties in North Carolina, I wanted to add
another weapon to our arsenal for treating osteoarthritis. I
was also interested in finding something that slowed
down the progression of the disease, rather than just
relieved pain.
     Physicians initially believed that the non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory medications would slow the progression of
osteoarthritis. Over the years, however, our experiences
and more and more research showed that this is probably
not the case. It seemed that none of the medications I had
previously believed in truly modified the disease—they
only relieved pain.
Fortunately, my research assistant gave me an article
from the European literature on a new class of arthritis
medications, such as glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfates, called chondro-protective agents. These had
been mentioned in American journals, but only as
theoretical possibilities. I was delighted to find this
article, which reviewed the European experience with
chondro-protective agents in several thousand patients.
And I was astonished to discover that there were ten
double-blind glucosamine studies and eight chondroitin
sulfate studies verifying the efficacy of these nutritional
supplements on humans. (Glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfates are not considered medications in this country.)
     Excited to learn about the European success with
glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, I cautiously began to
give