October 24, 2026, 6:01 a.m. ET
If your knees hurt or your hands are stiff from arthritis, it can be hard to resist the promise of relief from a supplement, especially when products such as collagen and glucosamine claim to promote healthier cartilage, easier movement and less pain.
But arthritis encompasses more than 100 conditions, and it can’t be assumed that a supplement studied primarily for knee osteoarthritis will help relieve rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or the many other diseases and disorders that can cause joint inflammation and pain.
At the same time, for people with knee osteoarthritis specifically who want to try a supplement alongside other recommended treatments, research suggests there may be some benefits. Here’s what you need to know.
What is arthritis? What causes arthritis?
Arthritis is “the most common form of disability in the United States,” says Dr. Loren Fishman, assistant clinical professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Columbia University. It is defined as inflammation of the joints, but it encompasses a wide range of conditions causing pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced movement.
Of these, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Fishman says this develops as cartilage and other joint tissues gradually change and break down. But this is not only due to “wear and tear” due to age and sporting activity, he emphasizes, because several other factors can contribute. “Excess weight, previous injuries, repetitive stress, genetics and abnormal joint structure can also increase risk,” he says.
Other forms of arthritis have overlapping and sometimes different causes. For example, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks healthy joint tissue, while gout develops when urate crystals build up in and around a joint, says Fishman.
Because these and other arthritis-related conditions each require their own treatment plan, it’s important to get the correct diagnosis.
What is the best joint supplement for arthritis?
When it comes to treating arthritis, there is no shortage of recommendations, but collagen and glucosamine supplements are among the most commonly promoted, especially on social media.
Current evidence favors collagen as potentially beneficial for the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis in particular, but not for arthritis in general. Fishman explains that collagen is a structural protein found in cartilage and other connective tissues, and collagen used in joint supplements typically comes in two forms: hydrolyzed collagen which contains small peptides and undenatured type II collagen which retains more of its original structure.
But taking collagen supplements orally does not correct damaged cartilage, as some consumers believe. Instead, digestion breaks down collagen into peptides and amino acids that the body distributes as needed, while certain peptides can also send signals involved in cartilage maintenance. Even so, “if you have enough collagen and amino acids to begin with,” Fishman says, taking a supplement “won’t do you much good.”
However, a collagen supplement can be helpful when these materials are lacking in people with knee osteoarthritis, Fishman says, because it can provide raw materials to strengthen joint tissues, as the knee is a major weight-bearing joint and most commonly affected by arthritis. Collagen supplementation may be particularly helpful for “older people, whose collagen production may become less efficient,” he says.
This proposed benefit is consistent with the results of a recent meta-analysis of 11 randomized trials involving 870 people. Collagen supplements were found to reduce pain and improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis compared to a placebo, although trials testing different collagen products and doses were short-term and results varied widely. Even so, the promising results make it reasonable to discuss taking collagen supplements with your health care provider, says Fishman.
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And although glucosamine is promoted for a similar purpose, its action is different. Fishman explains that glucosamine “contains the amino acids that make up collagen,” although he adds that chemically, glucosamine is an amino sugar — not a set of amino acids or a form of collagen. For this reason, its purported benefits come from its role as a building block for glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans, which are other important components of cartilage. Although promising in theory, decades of research on glucosamine have produced mixed results, with some studies suggesting mild pain relief while others finding little or none.
Glucosamine can also cause digestive problems, and because many products are derived from shellfish, people with allergies or dietary restrictions should check the source. Glucosamine can also raise blood sugar levels in some people and has been linked to an increased risk of bleeding in people taking warfarin.
Because of these concerns and inconsistent evidence, the American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation “strongly recommends against” taking oral glucosamine for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or hand. Some other organizations are more supportive of certain formulations of pharmaceutical-grade glucosamine for the treatment of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, but the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health still concludes that the purported benefits of glucosamine remain “uncertain.”
How is arthritis treated?
Beyond supplementation, Fishman says movement therapy is actually the most well-supported osteoarthritis treatment because exercise strengthens the muscles around a joint, maintains flexibility, and can relieve pain and stiffness.
A recent meta-analysis of 217 randomized trials involving 15,684 participants found that aerobic exercise was likely the most beneficial overall category for improving pain, function, walking ability, and quality of life with knee osteoarthritis. That’s why patients with osteoarthritis are often referred to physical therapy or rehabilitation programs, “which aim to increase range of motion and reduce painful use of the joint,” Fishman says. Exercise also promotes weight management, which reduces pressure on the knees and hips.
Other treatment options include anti-inflammatories or other pain relievers, corticosteroid injections, orthodontic appliances, and mobility aids. If joint injury and disability become severe, Fishman says joint replacement surgery may also be considered.
Various forms of arthritis often each require their own approach. For example, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis often require disease-modifying drugs to control immune responses and prevent damage, and gout often requires drugs to treat flare-ups and low urate.
Fishman says accurate diagnosis, regular movement, and proper medical treatment matter much more than choosing between two bottles in the supplement aisle. Still, he adds, understanding how supplements and established treatments can work together “can help promote fuller lives for people with arthritis.”
Gn Health
