Nutritional Support For Sprains and Osteoarthritis Prevention
 

A nutritional approach to osteoarthritis is theoretically justified and has been strongly confirmed in laboratory and clinical trials. Using joint support nutrients after a traumatic injury that involves meniscus or articular cartilage damage, including moderate to severe sprains or contusions to a joint has yielded positive results. This includes motor vehicle injuries to the facets of the neck, thoracic and lumbar spine, and contusions to the patella, ankle, knee meniscus and other extremity sprains.

Although conventional therapeutics may offer the most effective short-term pain relief for OA, long-term pain relief, improvement in function and regeneration of the joint is better accomplished with nutritional therapies with fewer side effects. Nutritional support when combined with assessment and optimization of biomechanics, strength and balance can offer both immediate and long-term improvements in function and in pain relief of OA. It may also offer a slowing or stopping of joint surface loss.

Nutritional Protocol

Supplementing EPA/DHA with glucosamine sulfate with or without chondroitin sulfate may be started at the time of the diagnosis and continued for a minimum of eight weeks and ideally for 12 weeks after the sprain. In addition to traumatic injuries, there appears to be a significant clinical response to the use of glucosamine sulfate in problems involving the articular cartilage of the patella in both patellofemoral tracking syndrome and chondromalacia. It is recommended to start joint support nutrients six to eight weeks before high use of the knee in sports. If the problem and use of the knee are ongoing, nutritional support should be continuous.

Activity Modifications

Limit sports with a high risk of falling such as contact sports. Reduce running in patients with moderate OA of the knee or hip. Implement cross training for exercise. Restrict work and household related activities such as squatting, kneeling and excessive stair climbing.