From the Guidelines
Tendoforte, a supplement containing glucosamine and chondroitin, is not recommended for knee cartilage regeneration due to a lack of efficacy and large placebo effects. The 2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee strongly recommends against the use of glucosamine and combination products that include glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for knee OA 1. This recommendation is based on the lack of clear biologic understanding of how efficacy would vary with the type of salt studied and discrepancies in efficacy reported in studies that were industry sponsored as opposed to publicly funded, which raised serious concerns about publication bias 1.
Some key points to consider when evaluating the use of Tendoforte for knee cartilage regeneration include:
- The potential toxicity of glucosamine is low, though some patients exposed to glucosamine may show elevations in serum glucose levels 1
- Chondroitin sulfate is also strongly recommended against in patients with knee and/or hip OA, except for hand OA where it is conditionally recommended 1
- The weight of the evidence indicates a lack of efficacy of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for knee OA, and clinicians should be aware that many patients perceive that glucosamine is efficacious despite the lack of evidence 1
In clinical practice, it is essential to prioritize morbidity, mortality, and quality of life when making recommendations for patients with knee OA. Given the lack of evidence supporting the use of Tendoforte for knee cartilage regeneration, alternative treatments with proven efficacy should be considered. Patients should consult with a healthcare provider to discuss the best course of treatment for their specific condition, which may include physical therapy, maintaining a healthy weight, and following evidence-based recommendations for knee health.
From the Research
Tendoforte (Glucosamine and Chondroitin) for Knee Cartilage Regeneration
- The efficacy of Tendoforte, a generic name for glucosamine and chondroitin, in knee cartilage regeneration is not directly addressed in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, study 4 mentions that results from several small studies on natural products, including glucosamine and chondroitin, in managing knee OA are encouraging, but additional well-designed placebo-controlled clinical trials are required.
- Study 5 recommends glucosamine and chondroitin as chronic pharmacological treatment for non-surgical management of knee OA, but does not specifically address their role in cartilage regeneration.
Alternative Treatments for Knee Cartilage Regeneration
- Study 2 suggests that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is more efficacious than hyaluronic acid (HA) injection in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with knee OA.
- Study 3 discusses various surgical treatment options for cartilage defects in the knee, including chondroplasty, osteochondral autograft transfer, and matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation.
- Study 6 compares the efficacy of PRP, HA, and ozone injections in treating knee OA, and finds that PRP is more successful than HA and ozone injections in providing at least 12 months of pain-free daily living activities.
Limitations and Future Directions
- The current evidence does not provide a clear answer to the question of whether Tendoforte is helpful for knee cartilage regeneration 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of glucosamine and chondroitin on knee cartilage regeneration, as well as to compare their efficacy with other treatment options.