Richard Haynes PTA/CPT - 5/22/2009

Question
My husband suffered a bad pilon fracture to his leg and also crushed the bones in his ankle and heel in June of 08. He has recovered enough to return to work, but still has alot of pain and swelling, which is to be expected considering the extent of his injury. We wondering if he would benefit at all from the joint supplement gluconamine chondroitin that people usally take for their knees.  Thank You, Alison

Answer
Alison,

Taking Them both will not hurt. How much it does help though will be questionable after such an injury.

It takes continued use for these to start producing any results at least three months though some research may mention a longer time frame.

Glucosamine can help the joint to repair itself when working with the collagen in the area.

Of the two I would hit the Glucosamine hard as it may have the better effect of the two.

Chondroitin is produced by the body manufactured by the joints.
So both are harmless.
The answer to your question will come in 3-6 months of continued use.

Most medical doctors will not recommend them as they do not make money of of it  like that would a prescription drug.

Try it and see what happens. I cannot tell you definitively it will work at this time.

Richard Haynes
Punta Gorda, Florida.