In this 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 100 adults with mild knee OA, chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg/day improved joint symptoms and physical function compared with placebo, with consistent benefits across self-reported outcomes and objective walking performance and no clinically meaningful safety concerns.
Chondroitin sulfate produced a significantly greater reduction in K-WOMAC total score than placebo at week 12 in adults with mild knee OA.
CS significantly reduced all K-WOMAC subscale scores (pain, stiffness, and physical function) compared with placebo.
Pain measured by visual analog scale (VAS) decreased significantly more with CS than with placebo.
CS improved objective walking performance, shortening 20-m walking time compared with placebo.
Hand function and strength outcomes also improved significantly with CS compared with placebo.
No clinically meaningful safety concerns were observed with CS supplementation.
The authors conclude CS supplementation may be beneficial for joint symptoms and physical function in adults with mild knee OA.
This study tested whether chondroitin sulfate, a popular supplement for knee osteoarthritis, helps people with mild knee osteoarthritis. A total of 100 adults were randomly assigned to take either 1200 mg of chondroitin sulfate or a placebo daily for 12 weeks, without participants or researchers knowing who got which. At the end of 12 weeks, the chondroitin group reported much larger improvements in knee pain, stiffness, and physical function on a standard questionnaire than the placebo group (total score drop of about 19 points versus about 2). Pain ratings on a 100-mm scale fell by about 19 mm versus 3 mm, and the chondroitin group walked 20 meters about 1.4 seconds faster, while the placebo group did not improve. Hand function questionnaire scores and grip and pinch strength also improved more with chondroitin. No clinically meaningful safety concerns were seen. This research suggests chondroitin sulfate may help ease symptoms and improve function in people with mild knee osteoarthritis over a few months. Earlier evidence has been inconsistent, and this was a relatively small, 12-week study, so longer and larger studies would be needed to confirm how well the benefits last.
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Upload Your LabsBaek H, Park S. (2026). Effects of Chondroitin Sulfate on Joint Symptoms and Physical Function in Adults with Mild Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18203391