[Therapy of gonarthrosis using chondroprotective substances. Prospective comparative study of glucosamine sulphate...

68 patients with mild or moderate gonarthritis were treated with intra-articular injections of glucosamine sulphate or glycosaminoglycan polysulphate over a period of six weeks. The therapy was successful in two thirds of these patients. "Loading" pain was eliminated or improved in about 80%, "getting-going" pain in about 64%, and signs of synovialitis in about 66%. Gait function and mobility were improved. Glucosamine had a superior effect, in particular in mild arthritis, achieving an improvement of pain in 90%, while glycosaminoglycan polysulphate was successful in advanced cases. The tolerance of the two substances was 94%. The results and the underlying modes of action of the substances are discussed.