New research shows that chondroitin sulfate significantly decreased pain and improved hand function in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand compared with those in the placebo group. Results of the clinical trial available in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), also show that chondroitin sulfate improves grip strength and relieves morning stiffness. The ACR estimates that OA -- the most common form of arthritis -- affects more than 27 million adults in the U.S., causing joint pain and stiffness.
