My Experience - Recover From Knee Joint Pain Twice - Glucosamine And Chondroitin Helps

In Mar 2008, whilst waiting to see our respective doctors at SGH, I met an old friend. We talked about all kinds of things and life. In the course of our chit chat, he mentioned that he suffered from knee pain. I told him of my experience and how I recovered that I am now able to jog quite fast and that both my leg muscles had improved much. As requested, I provide some details of my experience and the relevant photos etc and hope the information would be useful.

After that, I thought that it would be a good idea to share my experience in this blog and it is up to individuals to whether to listen to my experience or to adapt it into their plan to improve themselves.

My experience goes like this:

Sometime in Feb 2006, I suffered much pain on my left knee. I could only walk slowly.

I took an x-ray and the doctor told me my knee cartilage had worn out. He recommended me to take glucosamine.

I heard plenty of advice on how to take care of health and knee joints:-

a. Do not jog or run as the pounding will cause the knee joint to worsen.
b. Walk is a good exercise. Swimming is better as there is no load on the knee joint.
c. Advices to take all kinds and variations of glucosamine, herbs, etc.

I tried all kinds of advice with appreciation but after many months, there was no improvement. Gradually, I noticed that the muscles on my thigh, shin and ankle began to weaken and soften. The muscles and flesh look and feel more like soya bean paste what Chinese call "Tow Hoo".

When I board the bus or go up the stairs, I had to use my hand to hold the railing to pull my body up. When I alight from the bus or go down the stairs, I could not land my feet properly and feel like I was going to crush down. I had to hold on to the railing and put one foot down at a time.

I thought that at this rate I was going to shrink and diminish. I had unconsciously become a weakling and had to hope that some saints/saviour or great medical invention appeared quickly to help me recover.

I planned to search for the right type of food and joint supplements or to find the right doctor/physician and to think how I could improve and get my knee joints to recover and the leg muscles to strengthen.

One day in 2006, I went to the SGH pharmacy shop and an elderly lady staff informed me that I need to take chondroitin to ease the pain in order to speed up the recovery. So I believe her and tried. It is successful for me . Before that I took only glucosamine and it does seem to improve much. Click: Jointcare Glucosamine & Chondroitin 30S. This package also contain Omega 3.

I took one tablet per day for 3 months ie 3 boxes and overcome the pain and swell in my knee joint, after which I walk slowly at first. Then faster, Then jog a little and later increase some speed. This improve the muscle at the ankle, knee and muscles in the leg alot. My left knee had recovered. I enjoyed my jogging, although not fast. MUST BE PATIENT, AS IMPATIENCE CAUSE INJURY.

Later, again in 2007, this time was my right knee suffered from joint pain. I massaged it hoping to improve faster but it got worse. This time, the right knee was, in fact, much more painful. I also took the same action ie to consume Glucosame and Chrontin as done earlier. As I was feeling continuous and constant pain (what the Chinese say as "Suan Toong"), I used pain soothing gel to get some pain relief but not much relief. To relieve the constant pain, I sought acupuncture treat at Chung Hwa Free Clinic in Yishun for pain relief. I had acupuncture twice a week for a few weeks to relief pain. In the meantime, I continued with glucosamine, chrontin & Omega3 and I walked slowly. I also used Yoga method to work and improve the leg, ankle and knee muscles. It worked.

Now both my knees are ok. I am now learning how to keep my knee joints in good shape and strength.

Sometime in Feb 2008, a pharmacy staff in Yishun recommended me another (Joint Guard ) which I am trying. This time it contains not only glucosamine, chondroitin but also MSM, willow bark and devil's claw. But it does not have OMEGA 3, which I will have to take separately.

The label on the Joint Guard stated as follows:

Chrondroitin sulphate helps promote fluid balance & elasticity in cartilage and inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage.

Willow bark and Devil's claw have been used traditionally to combat many painful conditions, allowing better mobility.

MSM - bio available sulphur which amongs other thing arrests inflammation and as a natural pain reliever.

Most importanlyly, one has to see how best one can work out one's strategy that best suit one's body. I believe that one know ownself best.